About Air Permits

Air permits limit the amount of air pollution a facility is allowed to emit so the air people breathe stays relatively clean and healthy. Individual permits are customized to promote environmental compliance and provide a basis for legal enforcement if permit conditions are violated.

Print Version
Air Pollution Control Permit Basics (PDF, 23.9KB) PUB-AM-337 2004

Types of Air Permits

The Wisconsin air pollution control permit program has permits for two kinds of scenarios: new and existing facilities. Construction permits ensure that proposed projects can meet air pollution standards for new facilities before they are constructed. Operation permits set emission limits and establish monitoring, record-keeping and reporting requirements for existing facilities. These permit conditions may be revised as facilities expand, replace equipment or change operations.

Registration Permits

A registration permit allows small emitters to quickly register themselves for a permit in return for keeping emissions low. Type A and Type C registration permits are available. Visit the registration permits web pages or Frequently Asked Question for more information.

General Permits

Wisconsin has developed general construction permits and general operation permits for asphalt plants, rock crushing facilities and various types of printers. Visit the general permits web pages for more information.

Source-Specific Permits

Also referred to as traditional permits, source-specific construction or operation permits are used for power plants and other significant air emission sources. These are written and issued individually, specific to each source. Visit the source-specific permits web page for more information.

DNR also has an interactive Permit Primer to help you determine which environmental requirements may apply and what permits you need.

Part II – General Requirements

Most operation and construction permits contain at least two parts. Part I contains conditions that may be specific, or unique, to that facility.  Part II contains the general limitations by which the permittee must abide, and that are standard for all stationary sources of air pollutants.  As a result, Part II is included with every permit.  Because they are standard for all sources, and in the interest of conserving paper, copies of the Part II portion of draft permits are sometimes not distributed with the paper copies of a draft permit package under review. However, a copy of the appropriate Part II will be provided by the department at any time, upon request, or can be dowloaded by clicking Part II for Operation Permits [PDF 110KB] or Part II for Construction Permits [PDF 33KB].  

Permitting Process

The permitting process is designed to be transparent. Almost all permit-related documents are open records, including applications, modeling analyses and permit drafts. Input from the public and the permit applicant is encouraged throughout the process and can affect the content of the permit. Federal and state laws require all air pollution sources in Wisconsin to have a permit unless the source is determined to be exempt.

Learn the basic steps of the permitting process.

Permit Exemptions

Federal and state laws require all air pollution sources in Wisconsin to have a permit unless the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) determines the source is exempt. To learn more about construction and operation permit exemptions, click on either of these links:

Construction Permit Exemption Fact Sheet [exit DNR]

Operation Permit Exemption Fact Sheet [exit DNR]

Construction Permit Waivers

A construction permit waiver can be issued to certain sources in situations where they can demonstrate undue hardship if the waiver is not granted.  Undue hardship may result from any of the following:

• Adverse weather conditions
• Catastrophic damage of existing equipment
• A substantial economic or financial hardship that may preclude the project
• Other unique conditions on a case-by-case basis

The waiver request should detail the situation necessitating the request.  There is a non-refundable fee required with the waiver request.  A complete construction permit application must also be on file with the Department.  

For more information on construction permit waivers, contact Joe Brehm at 608/267-7541.

The Small Business Clean Air Assistance Program's Air Permits web site has information about Construction Permits and Operation Permits along with permit exemption criteria.

Related Permit Information

• Title V Tracking
• Permit Renewals
• Environmental Results Program (ERP)
• Printers ERP (exit DNR)
• Environmental Management System (EMS)
• Air Program Glossary