Permitting

Air quality permitting 

The Bureau of Air Pollution Control (BAPC) issues air quality permits for stationary and temporary sources. These permits make sure emissions do not harm public health or reduce air quality. 

When you need an air quality permit

Any process or activity that produces emissions may need a permit.
Nevada law defines:

• An emission source as any property that emits or may emit an air contaminant
  • Visit NRS 445B.155 (external link)
• An air contaminant as any substance released into the air except water vapor and droplets
  • Visit NRS 445B.110 (external link)

You do not need a permit if your equipment, activities, or storage containers release only steam or water particles.

Permit types and thresholds

Use the following thresholds as a guide. Actual requirements may vary based on facility conditions.

Class I permits

Typically required for facilities that:

• Emit more than 100 tons per year of any regulated pollutant, or
• Emit more than 25 tons per year of total Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP), or
• Emit more than 10 tons per year of any single HAP, or
• Are Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) sources or major Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) sources

Class II permits

Typically required for facilities that:

• Emit less than 100 tons per year of any regulated pollutant, and
• Emit less than 25 tons per year of total HAP, and
• Emit less than 10 tons per year of any single HAP

Surface Area Disturbance (SAD) permits

• Required when land disturbance is greater than 5 acres

General and Change of Location Approval (COLA) permits

• For portable construction equipment used for less than 12 months at one location
• Often used for road and highway projects

Mercury permits

• Required for owners or operators that operate, construct, or modify a thermal unit that emits mercury
• Construction of a new or modified thermal unit that emits mercury requires a permit before construction beings
• Any facility subject to 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart EEEEEEE must obtain a Title V (Class I) permit, regardless of the size of the facility
• Visit Nevada Mercury Control Program (NMCP) - Support Documents

Chemical Accident Prevention Program (CAPP) permits

• Applies in facilities that have select, highly hazardous substances in quantities above defined thresholds
• Applies to facilities that manufacture explosives for sale that are classified as division 1.1 through 1.5 in the Table of Hazardous Material under 49 CFR 172.101
  • Visit 49 CFR 172.101 (external link)
• Visit Chemical Accident Prevention Program (CAPP)

Need help?

• Contact the permitting branch at (775) 687‑9349
• Visit Permit Guidance 

Pending Air Quality Operating Permit (AQOP) applications

• Updated during the first week of each month
• Does not include Surface Area Disturbance permits, General Stationary permits, or General Temporary and COLA permits
• All applications, permits, and related correspondence are available in our Public Document Search App