The solid waste permit page discusses the general permit application process. The specific permit application process and requirements are found in WAC 173-350-710 and WAC 173-350-715 and/or WAC 173-351-720 (for municipal solid waste landfills).
- Applicants should contact the local jurisdictional health department to determine if there are additional requirements or fees associated with the proposed facility application.
- Contact Ecology Facilities Specialist Marni Solheim at marni.solheim@ecy.wa.gov or 509-329-3564 for additional information.
For specific requirements for each facility type go to Chapter 173-350 WAC for Solid Waste Handling Standards or to Chapter 173-351 WAC for Criteria for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills. Facility Checklists (see section below) can assist in the preparation and review of the permit application.
Annual reports are required of municipal solid waste landfills permitted under Chapter 173-351 WAC, Criteria for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills, and various facilities that fall under the requirements of Chapter 173-350 WAC, Solid Waste Handling Standards. The following annual report forms are to be completed by the facility and returned to the appropriate local jurisdictional health department and Ecology by April 1 of each year:
To assist in the preparation and review of the permit application, the following checklists provide more specific requirements based on the applicable regulation:
The Solid Waste Handling Standards allow for a "permit deferral" under WAC 173-350-710(8). The jurisdictional health department, at its discretion along with our approval, can waive the requirement of a solid waste permit for a facility by deferring to other air, water or environmental permits issued for the facility which provide an equivalent or superior level of environmental protection. The owner or operator can apply for a permit deferral using the following form:
Chapter 173-350 WAC, Solid Waste Handling Standards, specifies that certain solid waste facilities are exempt from solid waste permitting, if they meet requirements and operating procedures as identified in the rule. These facilities include recycling, material recovery, composting, piles of agricultural, inert or wood waste, and some moderate risk waste handling activities. Send a copy of your Notification of Exemption form to both your regional Ecology office and to your local health department or district.
One of the requirements is for the facility to notify Ecology and the local jurisdictional health department of their intent to operate as a facility exempt under Chapter 173-350 WAC. For most exempt facilities, there is also an annual reporting requirement.
To assist facilities, Ecology has developed a notification form, Form ECY 070-493 - Notification of Exemption from a Solid Waste Permit.