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Business & Industry Permitting
Feeling Overwhelmed and Need Help?
If you are a small business (i.e., < 100 employees), the University of Northern Iowa Waste Reduction Center offers free assistance (https://iwrc.uni.edu/).
Several simple permit application packages are available for common industries requiring permits in Linn County. Click on the industry below to be taken to a list of exactly which forms are required for a complete application.
- Construction application packages for:
- Paint Booths
- Emergency Generators > 400 hp (any fuel)
- Grain Storage or Grain Elevator
- Ownership Change
- Registrations are required for generators < 400 hp (any fuel)
- Ownership change. Permits in Linn County are non-transferrable (LCCO Sec. 10-58(g)(1) and (2)). For equipment being relocated, an Authorization to Install permit application should be completed for the equipment at the new location. For change of ownership, the new owner should apply in writing for Permits to Operate for the existing equipment no later than 30 days after the change in ownership.
EASY Air Electronic Permit Application Submittal (PSD & Title V only)
Linn County is currently evaluating an online module for the digital submittal of local construction permit applications. Title V and Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit applications should be submitted through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' EASY Air Service (click the icon below to be redirected to the DNR's EASY Air module).
Local Construction Permit Guidance
Linn County requires submittal of an application for Authorization to Install (ATI) permits prior to initiating construction. A limited number of site preparation activities are allowed prior to receipt of an ATI (see the associated list of construction activities allowed prior to permit issuance). Following completion of installation, facilities are required to apply for and receive a Permit to Operate (PTO) for continued operation. The ATI permit will allow continued operation until a PTO can be issued, so long as the PTO application is submitted in a timely fashion following completion of installation.
| Guidance Document | Download | Revised |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Instructions for Air Permit Application | May 2022 | |
| Basic Instructions for General Permit or Registration | Oct 2021 | |
| Air Quality Fees Policy | Apr 2018 | |
| Air Quality Fee Schedule | Apr 2020 | |
| Ownership Change FAQ | PDF | Oct 2021 |
| Confidentiality Request | May 2022 |
Facility Information
Each application needs one of the following forms, regardless of the number of emission units, emission points, or modifications submitted in the application. Note: While these parts of the application are labeled numerically, this is for simplicity in grouping and does not necessarily reflect the easiest order in which they can be completed. A facility will find it easiest to prepare the Form EI, for example, after completing the emissions calculations for each included emission point.
| Form ID | Construction Permit Form Description | Download | Revised |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATI FI | Authorization to Install Facility Information | Jul 2020 | |
| CP | Application Cover Page | Jul 2020 | |
| EI | Emission Inventory | Jul 2020 | |
| GHG | Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory | Nov 2019 | |
| MD | Non-PSD Modeling Determination | Oct 2021 | |
| EJ | Exemption Justification | Nov 2019 | |
| VAR | Variance Request Form | Nov 2019 |
Emission Unit Information
Several emission units (EUs) may be associated with a single emission point or piece of control equipment. Several template forms are available for common equipment. Complete a EU form for each piece of equipment capable of emitting pollution to be installed at the facility within this application. If there is not a template that matches the equipment your facility is applying for, complete a Form EU.
| Form ID | Construction Permit Form Description | Download | Revised |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | Emission Unit Information | Jul 2020 | |
| EU1 | Internal Combustion Engine | Jun 2020 | |
| EU2 | Nonmetallic Mineral Processing Plant | Jul 2020 | |
| EU3 | Spray Paint Booth | Jun 2020 | |
| EU4 | Cooling Tower | Jun 2020 | |
| EU5 | Boiler | Jul 2020 |
Control Equipment
As with EUs, several pieces of control equipment (CEs) may be associated with a single emission point. Several template forms are available for common controls. Complete a CE form for each control to be installed at the facility within this application. If there is not a template that matches the controls your facility is applying for, complete a Form CE.
| Form ID | Construction Permit Form Description | Download | Revised |
|---|---|---|---|
| CE | Control Equipment Information | Jul 2020 | |
| CE1 | Fabric Filters | Nov 2019 | |
| CE2 | Cyclones | Nov 2019 | |
| CE3 | Wet or Dry Scrubbers | Nov 2019 | |
| CE4 | Thermal Oxidation | Jul 2020 | |
| CE5 | Catalytic Oxidation | Jul 2020 | |
| CE6 | Catalytic & Non-Catalytic Reduction | Jul 2020 | |
| CE7 | Dry Filter Equipment | Jul 2020 | |
| CE8 | Mist Eliminators | Jul 2020 |
Emissions Calculations
Linn County permits by emission point (EP). It is common for several EUs and/or CEs to be associated with a single emission point. Complete the Form EP and emissions calculations (Form EC) for each emission point to be included in this application.
| Form ID | Construction Permit Form Description | Download | Revised |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP | Emission Point Information | Jul 2020 | |
| EC | Emission Calculations | Jul 2020 |
Modeling Information
Note: If the Form MD indicates that non-PSD modeling is not required for this project, the Modeling Information forms are not required to be included in the application.
| Form ID | Construction Permit Form Description | Download | Revised |
|---|---|---|---|
| MI1 | Modeling Plot Plan | Nov 2019 | |
| MI2 | Modeling Source Characteristics | Nov 2020 |
Permit to Operate
Following installation and successful startup of the equipment authorized under the ATI permit, facilities should submit a signed PTO form. Linn County will schedule an on-site inspection of the equipment installed prior to issuing the PTO.
| Form ID | Construction Permit Form Description | Download | Revised |
|---|---|---|---|
| PTO | Permit to Operate | PDF | Jul 2020 |
Registration / General Permit Forms
Registrations are required for several common sources in Linn County. Facilities must comply with all Registration emission limits and operational requirements as written. If a facility wishes to operate equipment that would otherwise be capable of obtaining a Registration Permit in a way contrary to the emission limits and operational requirements in the template, an Authorization to Install permit application should be submitted.
| Form ID | Construction Permit Form Description | Download | Revised |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDF-REG | Gasoline Distribution Facility ( 10,000 > gallons > 100,000) | Oct 2021 | |
| IIII | Stationary Compression Ignition Engine ( < 400 hp ) | Dec 2021 | |
| JJJJ | Stationary Spark Ignition Engine ( < 400 hp ) | Oct 2021 | |
| RHR-REG | Residential Heater Registration Permit | Oct 2021 |
Several General Permit templates are available for common sources located in the county. Facilities must comply with all General Permit emission limits and operational requirements as written. If a facility wishes to operate equipment that would otherwise be capable of obtaining a General Permit in a way contrary to the emission limits and operational requirements in the template, an Authorization to Install permit application should be submitted.
| Form ID | Construction Permit Form Description | Download | Revised |
|---|---|---|---|
| AGG-GP | Aggregate Processing Plant General Permit | Oct 2021 | |
| CBP-GP | Concrete Batch Plant General Permit | Oct 2021 | |
| HMA-GP | Hot Mix Asphalt Plant General Permit | Oct 2021 | |
| GDF-GP | Gasoline Distribution Facility ( > 100,000 gallons ) | Oct 2021 | |
| SBP-GP | Small Bulk Plant ( < 20,000 gallons per month ) | Oct 2021 | |
| LBP-GP | Large Bulk Plant ( <20,000 gallons per day ) | Oct 2021 | |
| UOF-GP | Used Oil Furnace General Permit | Oct 2021 |
Common Application Packages
If the paint booth to be permitted has more than one stack, please complete an additional Form EP and Form PTO for each stack. Paint preparation station emissions are typically incorporated into those emitted from the paint booth. Please include Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all paints, solvents, and cleaners used at the facility with the complete permit application.
| Form ID | Construction Permit Form Description | Download | Revised |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATI FI | Authorization to Install | Jul 2020 | |
| CP | Application Cover Page | Jul 2020 | |
| EU3 | Spray Paint Booth | Jun 2020 | |
| CE7 | Dry Filter Equipment | Jul 2020 | |
| EP | Emission Point Information | Jul 2020 | |
| EC | Emission Calculations | Jul 2020 | |
| EI | Emission Inventory | Jul 2020 | |
| PTO | Permit to Operate | Jul 2020 |
An emergency generator rated at > 400 horsepower is required to obtain a construction permit. Non-residential generators < 400 hp are required to submit a registration (see the forms in the section above). If the generator to be permitted as more than one exhaust, please complete a Form EP and Form PTO for each stack. Include a Form EP and Form PTO for the crankcase vent (if open or vented).
| Form ID | Construction Permit Form Description | Download | Revised |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATI FI | Authorization to Install Facility Information | Jul 2020 | |
| CP | Application Cover Page | Jul 2020 | |
| EU1 | Internal Combustion Engine | Jun 2020 | |
| EP | Emission Point Information | Jul 2020 | |
| EC | Emission Calculations | Jul 2020 | |
| EI | Emission Inventory | Jul 2020 | |
| GHG | Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory | Nov 2019 | |
| PTO | Permit to Operate | Jul 2020 |
Complete a Form EU, Form EP, and Form PTO for each grain storage bin and dryer at the facility. Grain storage bins with multiple vents are treated as a single emission point; however, please identify the number of vents on the Form EP.
| Form ID | Construction Permit Form Description | Download | Revised |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATI FI | Authorization to Install Facility Information | Jul 2020 | |
| CP | Application Cover Page | Jul 2020 | |
| EU | Emission Unit Information | Jul 2020 | |
| EP | Emission Point Information | Jul 2020 | |
| EC | Emission Calculations | Jul 2020 | |
| EI | Emission Inventory | Jul 2020 | |
| PTO | Permit to Operate | PDF | Jul 2020 |
Air construction permits are not transferrable between owners. The new owner must complete a Form PTO for each permitted emission point that will continue to operate. Furthermore, the relocation of non-portable equipment to another physical location must submit an Authorization to Install permit application (see section above). Review the Ownership Change FAQ or contact the Air Quality Branch for more information.
| Form ID | Construction Permit Form Description | Download | Revised |
|---|---|---|---|
| PTO | Permit to Operate | Jul 2020 |