Bay Area Commercial Air Quality Permits: What Businesses Should Check

A city building permit does not necessarily satisfy every environmental requirement. Businesses installing or modifying equipment that emits pollutants may also need approval from the Bay Area Air District.

Understand the two-agency issue

A project may require approvals from the local city or county, fire authority, health department, wastewater agency and Bay Area Air District.

Equipment that may require review

Examples can include boilers, generators, industrial ovens, coating operations, manufacturing equipment, fuel-burning equipment, dust-producing processes, solvent use, emission-control devices and certain commercial cooking operations.

Authority to Construct and Permit to Operate

For covered projects, the standard process generally requires an Authority to Construct before construction or modification begins and a Permit to Operate before normal operation. Registration or notification pathways may apply to some equipment and activities instead.

Renovation and demolition

Asbestos rules may require notification before renovation or demolition. Build the schedule around survey or testing, notification, waiting periods, abatement, waste handling and clearance.

Portable equipment

Portable engines and equipment can have separate registration or permitting rules. Confirm requirements for temporary generators, crushers, grinders and other mobile equipment.

Commercial kitchens

Restaurants and food-production facilities may need to coordinate cooking equipment, exhaust, smoke and odor, charbroilers, grease control, health permits, fire suppression and building permits.

Prepare a complete permit inquiry

Collect equipment manufacturer, model, fuel, capacity, operating hours, process description, emission controls, existing permit numbers, site plan, exhaust information, installation date and schedule.

Questions to ask a contractor or consultant

• Could this equipment emit regulated pollutants?
• Is Air District approval required before installation?
• Is the equipment exempt?
• Who prepares calculations and submits the application?
• Is asbestos notification required?
• What inspections or testing are needed?
• What renewal obligations apply?

Find environmental and mechanical providers

SF Bay Area Commercial Services helps businesses find environmental consultants, commercial HVAC contractors, mechanical contractors, fire-protection companies and industrial cleaning providers.