North Carolina Air Permits

Air permits & authorizations

• Permit exemption (small facilities)

  Exemption

  Facilities meeting the per-pollutant and aggregate limits may be exempt from 02Q .0300 permitting. An exempt facility may keep its permit, register, or ask DAQ to rescind its permit. Facilities with modeling-based toxics limits under 02D .1100 are not eligible.

  Thresholds (summarized from source, not a quotation)

  Each of PM10, SO2, NOx, VOC, CO, HAP, and TAP less than 5 tpy, and total aggregate emissions less than 10 tpy (DAQ page quotes 'less than 5 tpy, each').

  15A NCAC 02Q .0102(d)Official page

• Registration

  Registration / Notice

  Instead of a permit, for low-emitting facilities that are not exempt. Not available to synthetic minor facilities under 02Q .0315, facilities with a Part 63 MACT source, facilities with VOC or NOx sources in a nonattainment area, or facilities with an NSPS source (unless exempted under 02Q .0102(g) or (h)).

  Thresholds (summarized from source, not a quotation)

  Aggregate actual emissions of at least 5 tpy and below 25 tpy (restated from 15A NCAC 02D .0202 as described by DAQ).

  15A NCAC 02D .0202; 02Q .0102(e)Official page

• General permits

  General Permit

  Non-Title V general permits (02Q .0310) for emergency generators, cotton ginning, yarn spinning plants, and concrete batch plants. A Title V general permit (02Q .0509) covers new air curtain incinerators subject to NSPS Subpart CCCC burning only wood waste, clean lumber, and/or yard waste.

  Thresholds (summarized from source, not a quotation)

  Air curtain incinerator GP: above 35 tons/day (DAQ's FAQ text conflicts on this figure).

  15A NCAC 02Q .0310; 02Q .0509Official page

• Non-Title V construction and operation permit (Small permit)

  Minor NSR

  Combined construction and operating permit for sources subject to an applicable standard or rule that are not exempt, registered, or Title V. Valid eight years. DAQ acts within 90 days of a complete application when no public notice is required. Submitted to the DAQ Regional Office. Some changes need no permit revision under 02Q .0318.

  15A NCAC 02Q .0300Official page

• Synthetic Minor permit

  State Operating

  Non-Title V permit with enforceable limits that keep a facility below major source thresholds. Valid eight years; submitted to the DAQ Regional Office.

  15A NCAC 02Q .0315Official page

Major NSR (PSD & nonattainment)

• Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)

  PSD

  Major source preconstruction review in attainment areas. DAQ publishes a PSD preapplication checklist, NSR regulated pollutant list, PSD increment tracking, and Class I increment decisions. Applications go to the Raleigh Central Office Permitting Section.

  15A NCAC 02D .0530Official page

• Nonattainment NSR

  Nonattainment NSR

  Major source preconstruction review in nonattainment areas; DAQ's NSR page has a 'Non-Attainment NSR Issues' section.

  15A NCAC 02D .0531Official page

Title V operating permits

• Title V permit

  Title V

  For sources subject to 02Q .0500 (major sources under Part 70); exemptions in 02Q .0523. Five-year term. DAQ completes technical review of significant modifications within 270 days of a complete application, and generally acts on minor modifications within 90 days. Title V applications can be filed electronically in AccessDEQ.

  15A NCAC 02Q .0500Official page

Oil & Gas

DAQ's permitting and general permit pages list no oil and gas specific air permits. Natural gas pipeline compressor stations and similar sources follow the standard exemption, registration, permit, and Title V thresholds above, plus federal NSPS/NESHAP.

State air regulations

• 15A NCAC 02QAir Quality Permit Procedures
• 15A NCAC 02Q .0102Activities Exempted from Permit Requirements
• 15A NCAC 02Q .0200Permit Fees
• 15A NCAC 02Q .0500Title V Procedures
• 15A NCAC 02Q .0113Zoning consistency
• 15A NCAC 02D .0202Registration of Air Pollution Sources
• 15A NCAC 02D .0530Prevention of Significant Deterioration
• 15A NCAC 02D .0531Sources in Nonattainment Areas
• 15A NCAC 02D .1100Control of Toxic Air Pollutants

Forms

• Application forms: construct/operate (Title V and non-Title V)
• Registration Form
• Exemption/Registration Flow Chart
• Title V Application Checklist
• Non-Title V Application Checklist
• Emergency Generator General Permit Application
• Concrete Batch Plant General Permit Application
• 02Q .0318 Notification Form (changes not requiring permit revision)

Guidance

• Permitting Procedures Memos and Guidance
• NSR Permitting
• Emission Estimation Spreadsheets
• Intent to Construct
• Zoning Consistency Determination

Compliance

State compliance obligations (reporting, emissions inventory, testing) are being indexed. Use the Compliance dashboard preview to see how they will be tracked.

Sources

• NC DAQ Modifying or Applying for an Air Quality Permit
• NC DAQ Small Facilities: Exemption and Registration
• NC DAQ General Air Quality Permits
• NC DEQ Permit Directory: Title V
• NC DEQ Permit Directory: Construct/Operate
• EPA Clean Air Act Permitting in North Carolina

Editorial note: DAQ pages reviewed do not state numeric Title V or PSD thresholds; see the 02Q .0500 rule text and federal Part 70 / 40 CFR 52.21. The 02D .0530/.0531 titles were confirmed from EMC rulemaking records rather than a DAQ program page. Non-Title V e-permitting in AccessDEQ was described as planned. DAQ Permitting Section: (919) 707-8400.