Annual air quality registration

If a business emits air pollution, it is probably regulated by Ecology or a local clean air agency. This may require registering every year. A business must pay a yearly fee based on the amount of air pollution they produce and they must report their emissions.

Registration program

Tracking emissions helps us keep Washington's air healthy. To make sure businesses are meeting air quality requirements, we regularly inspect registered sources.

The permitting agency (Ecology or a local clean air agency) for your area needs to know when a business:

  • Expands operations.
  • Adds equipment.
  • Changes ownership.
  • Closes.

Figure out which local clean air agency issues your permit. Each agency has its own registration process. If an agency other than Ecology issues your permit, contact them.

For businesses regulated by Ecology

Date Action
Jan. 31 Emissions inventory report due to Ecology
Jan. 1 Fee bill mailed to you
April 1 Fee due to Ecology
 
Tier – Annual Emissions (tons per year) 2021 fee 2022,
2023 fee
Tier 1 – less than 0.01 $200 $200
Tier 2 – 0.01–10 $700 $700
Tier 3 – +10–20 $1,300 $1,300
Tier 4 – +20–70 $1,500 $1,500
Tier 5 – +70 $7,000 $7,000
Tier 6 – synthetic minor source (defined in WAC 173-400-030) that emits or has the potential to emit at or above 80 percent of the threshold for a major source (defined in WAC 173-401-200) $8,000 $8,000

Fee payment options

A small business owner may apply for a fee reduction by April 1, if criteria is met. If you want to pay your fee in two installments, you can enroll in our payment plan. Contact information is listed at the bottom of the page.

Registration budget and forms