The Feather River Air Quality Management District (FRAQMD or District) is responsible for ensuring that the air quality in Yuba and Sutter counties meets federal and state ambient air quality standards. Local businesses often use materials and processes that emit air pollutants or ingredients that form air pollutants in the air we breath. Permits issued by the District are designed to reduce air pollution and help the area attain and maintain federal and state air quality standards.  

Permits are required by law prior to installing new equipment or processes that may release or control the release of air pollutants. An application may be required before modifying existing equipment, when a facility wishes to modify a permit condition or facility emissions limit, or when a change in the method of operation at a facility occurs. Failure to acquire a permit may result in possible civil or criminal penalties and may require the removal of installed equipment not meeting District air quality standards. If you have any questions please contact the District.

Authority to Construct / Permit to Operate

The "Authority to Construct" is a permit issued by the District granting permission to install, modify, and/or construct equipment or processes that will meet local air quality standards. The "Permit to Operate" is a permit granting permission to operate the equipment or processes within enforceable limits designed to meet local air quality standards.

How to Apply for a Permit

Download the ATC/PTO Application Cover Form and Supplemental Forms here or contact the District and ask for a permit application package. Be prepared to describe the equipment and/or processes for which you are applying so the correct forms can be provided. Submit the completed permit application package to the District, in person or by mail, along with a non-refundable filing fee to cover administrative costs:

Feather River AQMD
541 Washington Avenue
Yuba City, CA 95991
Make check payable to: Feather River AQMD

Incomplete or incorrect application packages will be returned.

The completed application will be assigned to a District Engineer who will review the package and perform a permit evaluation. In some cases, you may be contacted for clarification or additional information. If the equipment/process meets all applicable rules and regulations, an Authority to Construct (ATC) will be issued. Applications for equipment or processes which cannot meet the applicable rules will be denied. Hence, it is always wise to contact the District and apply for the permit prior to purchasing new equipment. Please note that, in addition to the administrative filing fee, the District charges an hourly rate for permit evaluation and inspection.

Once issued, the ATC will be valid for a one year period. The ATC is the temporary permit which allows your facility to begin construction of the proposed process or equipment unit. If the ATC will expire prior to completion of construction, you must contact the District to request a permit renewal.

Upon completion of construction, you must contact the District to approve and close out the ATC. Typically, an inspection is also required for final approval. If all District requirements are met, the ATC will be finalized and it will be replaced with a Permit to Operate.  The Permit to Operate must be renewed annually.

Annual Permit Renewal

The Permit to Operate (PTO) is reviewed annually to determine compliance with current District rules and regulations. The reviewed, and possibly revised, PTO is reissued in December by the District if the annual renewal invoice has been paid. The annual renewal invoice is sent out at the start of October every year.

If the annual renewal invoice is not paid, then the renewed permit will not be issued. Continuing to operate without a valid permit may result in a fine and/or other legal action by the District.

Throughput Forms

Throughput Forms are required to be submitted for each active PTO by February 28 each year. Please review your current Permit to Operate and Recordkeeping Conditions and list the ACTUAL amount used in the previous calendar year. Include all fuel usage, hours of operation, Material Throughput (aggregate, gasoline fuel, coatings, etc.) for all permitted equipment/processes as specified in your Permit to Operate and Recordkeeping Conditions.

Example: 2015 Throughput form - Your facility has a Permit to Operate for a diesel emergency generator and a boiler. You would list the actual amounts used between January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 for the following:

• Annual hours of maintenance and testing for the diesel emergency generator,
• Annual hours of emergency use for the diesel emergency generator, and
• Annual hours of operation or annual fuel usage for the boiler.

Rule Development

Rules and regulations can change and affect your permit limits and conditions.  During the year, the District holds public workshops and Board meetings to introduce new or modified rules and regulations.  Watch for public notifications in the mail, listen for announcements on local radio stations, or visit the Rules 'n Regs page to keep abreast of District events.