The Construction Permits Section is responsible for the review and approval of all pre-construction air permitting in Iowa with the exception of Linn and Polk counties where local air programs are present.
New facilities must be designed to meet emissions standards and not result in a violation of ambient air quality standards. Facilities meeting state and federal requirements are issued construction permits which also include operating requirements to assure continued compliance.
More detailed analyses are required for large and complex projects. Under the federal Clean Air Act, this includes those that involve Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD), Major Source Non-Attainment Area permitting, and State Implementation Plan (SIP) maintenance areas. Other sources would include facilities requesting limits to avoid regulations under these programs and brand new (Greenfield) facilities, etc. A more detailed analysis is required because of the impact large emission sources can have on a region.
The Iowa DNR strongly encourages pre-application meetings in order to facilitate review and permitting of these large and complex projects. When both parties have clear expectations, the permitting process tends to be smoother. The DNR cannot assure how quickly that projects submitted without this prior coordination can be reviewed or permitted. Please review the guidance materials below for the type of project your facility will be proposing. If you are unsure what applies to you, or simply need help with the construction permitting process, call 1-877-AIR-IOWA (1-877-247-4692).
Air construction permits are required prior to constructing or modifying equipment or control equipment. Applicants can submit permit applications to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources using our online application system, Iowa EASY Air.
Starting January 1, 2023, only permit applications submitted electronically in Iowa EASY Air will be accepted by the Department.
Only permit applications submitted electronically in Iowa EASY Air will be accepted by the Department. Applicants should submit permit applications to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources using our online application system, Iowa EASY Air. If you have questions, please call the Construction Permitting helpline toll-free at 1-877-AIR-IOWA (1-877-247-4692).
Only aggregate processing plant permit templates submitted electronically in Iowa EASY Air will be accepted by the Department. Applicants should submit permit applications to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources using our online application system, Iowa EASY Air. Instructions for this submittal type can be found at eAirServices. If you have questions, please call the Construction Permitting helpline toll-free at 1-877-AIR-IOWA (1-877-247-4692).
Only asphalt plant permit templates submitted electronically in Iowa EASY Air will be accepted by the Department. Applicants should submit permit applications to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources using our online application system, Iowa EASY Air. Instructions for this submittal type can be found at eAirServices. If you have questions, please call the Construction Permitting helpline toll-free at 1-877-AIR-IOWA (1-877-247-4692).
Only concrete batch permit templates submitted electronically in Iowa EASY Air will be accepted by the Department. Applicants should submit permit applications to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources using our online application system, Iowa EASY Air. Instructions for this submittal type can be found at eAirServices. If you have questions, please call the Construction Permitting helpline toll-free at 1-877-AIR-IOWA (1-877-247-4692).
Only bulk gasoline permit templates submitted electronically in Iowa EASY Air will be accepted by the Department. Applicants should submit permit applications to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources using our online application system, Iowa EASY Air. Instructions for this submittal type can be found at eAirServices. If you have questions, please call the Construction Permitting helpline toll-free at 1-877-AIR-IOWA (1-877-247-4692).
Country grain elevators, country grain terminal elevators, or grain terminal elevators are classified as Group 1 facilities in 567 IAC 22.10(455B) if the potential to emit of the facility is less than 15 tons of PM10 per year. Owners or operators of Group 1 grain elevators were required to submit a registration form by March 31, 2008 for existing equipment.
Country grain elevators, country grain terminal elevators, or grain terminal elevators are classified as Group 2 facilities in 567 IAC 22.10(455B) if the potential to emit of the grain elevator is greater than or equal to 15 tons of PM10 per year and is less than or equal to 50 tons of PM10 per year.
Only grain elevator registration and permit templates submitted electronically in Iowa EASY Air will be accepted by the Department. Applicants should submit permit applications to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources using our online application system, Iowa EASY Air. Instructions for this submittal type can be found at eAirServices. If you have questions, please call the Construction Permitting helpline toll-free at 1-877-AIR-IOWA (1-877-247-4692).
The following information includes instructions and resources for prepared feeds facilities that may need to obtain construction permits. The application forms specified in the guidance are available by scrolling up on this webpage and clicking on "Application Forms". For the emissions calculations requested on Form EC, please use the emissions calculator provided below.
Only permit by rule for spray booth notification letters submitted electronically in Iowa EASY Air will be accepted by the Department. Applicants should submit permit applications to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources using our online application system, Iowa EASY Air. Instructions for this submittal type can be found at eAirServices. If you have questions, please call the Construction Permitting helpline toll-free at 1-877-AIR-IOWA (1-877-247-4692).
The efficient use of energy is one of the best ways to decrease human impact on the environment, and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) projects are a good way to fulfill this goal. CHP is a method for a facility to generate power (electricity) and useful heat (steam) from one unit rather than using separate units. This reduces capital investment and increases overall efficiency. Facilities that have excess electrical or steam generating capacity may find CHP an economical option. If you are considering a CHP project, most likely you will need to apply for an air quality construction permit before you begin. Allow at least 65 days for construction permit application processing. There are several things to consider.
Iowa’s Air Quality and Permission to Construct
The Ambient Air Monitoring conducted across the state shows that air quality is good in most areas of the state. Construction permits help ensure new facilities are designed and built in such a way that air quality remains high, despite adding a new source of air pollutant emissions. Some common questions about permitting CHP facilities are answered in the following document:
The location within a community chosen for a facility is important. The DNR has compiled the Cleaner Air, Better Communities guide to assist in this key decision.
Ambient Air Analysis
In order to ensure that the Iowa’s air quality is maintained, an ambient air analysis may be required for projects that are projected to emit a larger quantity of emissions, or for projects locating in areas with existing emissions of air pollutants. The construction permitting Form MD can be used to determine if an analysis will be needed for a particular project.
When an ambient air analysis is necessary, using dispersion modeling helps design the proposed facility so that it will comply with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The following information can be used to assist in this effort:
Depending on the pollutants that will be emitted by the project, there are certain areas of the state that may require special consideration. This includes one area in Iowa currently designated as non-attainment: approximately one third of Muscatine County for the 1-hour sulfur dioxide (SO2) NAAQS.
There are several other areas of the state that are classified as maintenance areas. These areas include Buffalo for particulate matter (PM10), Cedar Rapids (SO2), Clinton (SO2), Mason City (PM10), Muscatine (PM2.5), and Council Bluffs (lead). Locating in any of these areas will require special considerations to ensure that the proposed project will not cause or contribute to an exceedance of the national standards.
Additional Information
The Iowa Economic Development Authority has complied information to assist in the development of CHP projects in Iowa.
A facility owner or operator is not eligible to use the small unit exemption (SUE) (567 IAC subrule 22.1(2)”w”) if an emission unit emits a hazardous air pollutants and is “required to be reviewed for compliance” with a National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). This DNR guidance document helps explain this requirement, and includes several examples of equipment that can still use the SUE, and some equipment that may no longer qualify for the SUE because of NESHAP requirements.
Exemptions are listed in the DNR's administrative rules; they are found in subrule 22.1(2) of 567 IAC.
The administrative rules can be easily accessed on the Internet at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/ by following the following steps:
Under Popular Publications, click on "Iowa Administrative Code"
The agency is "Natural Resources Department [561]" - "Environmental Protection Commission [567]"
Click on "Chapters"
Chapter 22 (Controlling Pollution), Click on "pdf" or "rules"
Exemptions are listed at the beginning of the chapter under 22.1(2)
A hard copy of the administrative rules may also be obtained at the DNR records center. If you have questions on any of the exemptions, call 1-877-AIR-IOWA (1-877-247-4692).
The Air Quality Bureau Construction Permit Section tracks data on the section's productivity and efficiency. This summary is designed to assist applicants as they prepare to submit an application. The information includes the number of projects or applications that the section is currently reviewing, and the average lead times for application review.
This graph provides an overview of all current in-house applications (or projects), and the applications that are received and issued each month. All applications are included in this tracking regardless of the type of review required. Projects are considered in-house from the date DNR receives them until the date the project is completed or issued.
Standard Projects
Most projects the Construction Permit Section reviews are standard projects. These application reviews do not trigger the more complex review needed due to specific air quality regulations or nearby existing air quality concerns.
This graph has two lines. The first line represents each month’s average lead time. The other represents the past 52-week average lead time for completing projects in this category.
The section’s goal is to issue all standard projects within 30 days of receiving the application.
PSD/NA NSR Complex Projects
Complex projects are projects that trigger review under the Major Source New Source Review (NSR) provisions of the air quality rules. This includes both the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Non-Attainment New Source Review (NA NSR) programs.
The line on this graph represents the past 52-week average lead time needed to complete projects in this category.
Complex projects require more time to review. These projects are complex because they trigger specific federal air quality rules, or they are proposed in areas where there are already concerns about air quality. The section’s goal is to issue all PSD/NA NSR Complex projects within 180 days of receiving the application.
