Help/Assistance

For assistance information and materials please visit https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Air-Quality-permits/Notice-of-Construction-permit.

Other sources of help, information, and references:

Subject matter expert contact information:

Contacts vary by location, see notes/comments for link to contacts table.

Air Quality Notice of Construction (NOC) Permit

Description/Purpose

The Department of Ecology (Ecology) issues a Notice of Construction (NOC) permit to businesses to make sure Washington meets state and federal air quality requirements. An NOC permit limits the amount of air pollutants a business can emit. This permit is sometimes called a "pre-construction permit" because you must have one before you start construction or operate your business.

Triggers and activities which would require this permit

An NOC permit is required to install a new source of air pollution or modify an existing source of air pollution (either an increase or decrease in emissions). A NOC Application is also required to install, replace, or a change to the air pollution control equipment installed on an existing source of air pollution, unless the source or activity is exempt.

To determine if your project is exempt, contact the permitting authority for your area. Be prepared to provide a detailed description of your project.

Costs/Fees
see details
see details

Application review fees vary, depending on the type and complexity of the project and the time it takes Ecology to review the project. Projects that are more complicated pay higher fees. Please see the permit application for fee information. https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/ECY070410.html

Prepared from information and data submitted for calendar year 2024.

Application Information

The application is called 'Notice of Construction Application' is online and can be accessed at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/summarypages/ecy070410.html.

Please see the instructions for more information: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/ECY070410A.html

When making the decision on your permit, Ecology will consider the applicable laws and rules, the contents of your application, and the background environmental conditions.

Before Ecology can approve an NOC permit, your project must go through the State Environmental Policy Act review process.

If your project is located in Adams, Asotin, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, San Juan, Stevens, Walla Walla or Whitman County, send your application permits to:

   Washington Department of Ecology
   Cashiering Unit
   PO Box 47611
   Olympia, WA 98504-7611

If your project is located in Benton, Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom, or Yakima County, select the appropriate local clean air agency for information about Notice of Construction Permits in your county.

The permit is valid for the lifetime of the permitted pollution source. Changes to the pollution source (either an emission increase or decrease) or the addition of new equipment in a facility may trigger the need for a new NOC permit.

You have a right to appeal a permit decision to the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB) within 30 days of the date of receipt of the permit. The appeal process is governed by Chapter 43.21B RCW and Chapter 371-08 WAC. "Date of receipt" is defined in RCW 43.21B.001(2).

You must also comply with other applicable requirements in Chapter 43.21B RCW and Chapter 371-08 WAC.

Read the Pollution Control Hearings Board Appeal Process web page for more details.

If the Ecology issued the permit, please contact the issuing office to discuss the decision on your permit.

If a local clean air agency issued the permit, contact that office directly (see notes/comments).

Agency Analysis
45
n/a
n/a
58
n/a
257
n/a
22
3

N/A

Prepared from information and data submitted for calendar year 2024.

Permit Timeliness Results

Permit Timeliness data collection is in response to a State Auditor’s Performance Audit and RCW 43.42A. Each regulatory agency developed a plan to improve permit clarity, predictability, and timeliness. Each agency considers the customers experience to ensure permit assistance is simple to use, easy to access, and designed in a customer-friendly manner. Agencies report progress to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). ORIA prepares and distributes reports, with participation from the State Auditor’s Office and Results Washington. See latest report here: https://www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2020-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)
Average days from Receipt to Complete: 147
Maximum days from Receipt to Complete: 1292

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)
Average days from Complete Application to Decision: 57
Maximum days from Complete Application to Decision: 188


(Summary results based on 45 submittals in 2024)

Published Decision Time
n/a

Review time depends on how complete the application is and the type and complexity of the project.

Generally, Ecology takes two to six months to issue a final permit. Within 30 days of receiving your application, Ecology will notify you if you must submit additional information. Ecology will issue a draft permit decision within 60 days of determining the application is complete. All permit applications require a 15-day web notice. If a formal public comment period is required or requested, the draft permit decision will undergo a 30-day comment period. Ecology will issue a final NOC permit as soon as possible after the public comment period is closed. If there is no formal public comment period, Ecology will issue a final permit determination within 60 days of determining the application is complete.

Prepared from information and data submitted for calendar year 2024.

Legal authority
Schematic
View the schematic
Notes / Comments

Who issues this permit?
The agency that issues these permits varies by location.

The Department of Ecology issues the permits in the following counties:

  • Ecology Central Regional Office - Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan Counties
  • Ecology Eastern Regional Office - Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman Counties
  • Ecology Northwest Regional Office - San Juan County

For all other counties the agency that issues these permits varies, it would be one of the following:

  • The local clean air agency
  • Tribes protect air quality in Indian country, with technical assistance from EPA.

Permit Application:
If the Department of Ecology issues the permit, use Ecology’s application. If a local clean air agency issues the permit, contact them for their application.

If you need help, the statewide contact listed below is a good resource.

Contacts
Department of Ecology
Air Quality Program
Headquarters
300 Desmond Drive
PO Box 47600
Olympia WA 98504-7600
Website: https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Air-Quality-permits/Air-operating-permits
Telephone: (360) 407-6800
Fax: (360) 407-7534
Benton Clean Air Authority
Air Pollution Control Officer
114 Columbia Point Dr
Suite C
Richland WA 99352
Telephone: (509) 943-3396
Telephone: (509) 946-4489
Fax: (509) 943-2232
Olympic Region Clean Air Agency
Air Pollution Control Officer
2904 B Limited Lane NW
Olympia WA 98502
Website: http://www.orcaa.org/
Telephone: (360) 586-1044
Toll Free: 1-800-422-5623
Fax: (360) 491-6308
Southwest Clean Air Agency
Air Pollution Control Officer
11815 NE 99th St
Suite 1294
Vancouver WA 98682
Telephone: (360) 574-3058
Toll Free: 1-800-633-0709
Fax: (360) 576-0925
Northwest Clean Air Agency
Air Pollution Control Officer
1600 S Second St
Mount Vernon WA 98273
Telephone: (360) 428-1617
Toll Free: 1-800-622-4627
Fax: (360) 428-1620
Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
Headquarters
1904 Third Avenue, Suite 105
Seattle WA 98101-3317
Telephone: (206) 343-8800
Toll Free: 1-800-552-3565
Toll Free: 1-800-595-4341
Fax: (206) 343-7522
Telephone: (206) 689-4052
Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency
Air Quality Control Officer
3104 E. Augusta Avenue
Spokane WA 99207
Website: www.spokanecleanair.org
Telephone: (509) 477-4727
Telephone: (509) 477-4710
Fax: (509) 477-6828
Yakima Regional Clean Air Authority
Air Pollution Control Officer
329 N 1st Street
Yakima WA 98901
Telephone: (509) 834-2050
Fax: (509) 834-2060
Department of Ecology, Northwest Region
Air Quality Program
Headquarters
3190 - 160th Ave SE
Bellevue WA 98008-5452
Email: best461@ecy.wa.gov
Website: https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Air-Quality-permits/Air-operating-permits
Telephone: (425) 649-7283
Department of Ecology, Central Region
Air Quality Program
15 Yakima Avenue
Suite 200
Yakima WA 98902-3452
Website: https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Air-Quality-permits/Air-operating-permits
Telephone: (509) 575-2490
Fax: (509) 575-2809
Department of Ecology, Eastern Region
Air Quality Program
4601 N. Monroe
Spokane WA 99205-1295
Website: https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Air-Quality-permits/Air-operating-permits
Telephone: (509) 329-3400
Fax: (509) 329-3529
Triggering Questions
  • Does the project involve construction of a new source of air pollution or modification of an existing source of air pollution?
* Credential details last updated 5/11/2026
[v3]