Air District Permits (ATC / PTO / Title V)
Authority to Construct, Permit to Operate, Title V, and emissions inventory permitting at SCAQMD, BAAQMD, SJVAPCD, SDAPCD and other California Air Districts. Federal NSR, PSD, and Title V support nationwide.
Capabilities
Air permit application preparation
Permit-to-operate and emissions compliance
AQMD / air-district coordination
Emissions-inventory support
Frequently asked questions
What equipment needs an air permit?
Generally, any equipment that emits or controls air contaminants — boilers, process heaters, IC engines and generators, spray booths, ovens and dryers, storage tanks, abrasive blasting, and similar sources. Each air district (SCAQMD, BAAQMD, SJVAPCD and others) publishes its own rules and a list of exemptions, but exemptions must be confirmed, not assumed.
What's the difference between an Authority to Construct, a Permit to Operate, and Title V?
An Authority to Construct (ATC) is required before you install or modify permitted equipment. A Permit to Operate (PTO) authorizes ongoing operation once the equipment is built and verified. Title V is a federal operating permit required for 'major sources' that exceed emission thresholds for criteria pollutants or hazardous air pollutants — it consolidates all applicable requirements into one renewable permit.
How long does air permitting take?
It varies widely by district and complexity — from a few weeks for simple, exempt-adjacent equipment to many months for sources that trigger Best Available Control Technology (BACT) analysis, health-risk assessment, or Title V review. Starting the permitting process early is the single best way to avoid delaying construction or startup.
What happens if I operate equipment without a permit?
Operating unpermitted equipment is a common and costly Notice of Violation, and a district can require you to shut the equipment down until it's properly permitted. Penalties can be assessed per day of unpermitted operation, so unresolved exposure grows over time.
Can SafetyNet handle the entire application?
Yes — we build the equipment inventory, prepare emission calculations, complete the district application forms, coordinate any required BACT or health-risk analysis, and manage the agency back-and-forth through issuance, so your team can stay focused on the project.