Air Quality Permitting
This section of our website was developed to help companies understand when air
quality permitting is required and assist them in meeting their permitting and other
compliance obligations.
Activities such as burning fuel in a boiler, surface coating (painting), chromium
electroplating, and other sources emit air pollutants such as smoke, organic compounds,
toxic air pollutants, and others. Companies conducting these activities in Forsyth
County are generally required to have an Air Quality Permit issued by the Forsyth
County Environmental Affairs Department (FCEAD) and pay fees accordingly. Additionally,
construction of parking lots and decks and asbestos demolition
and renovation projects require permits issued by FCEAD. Air Quality Permits
must be obtained before constructing or operating air pollution sources. Companies
that don’t have a required Air Quality Permit can be fined up to $10,000 for each
violation and are required to pay back fees.
Companies that emit small quantities of air pollutants may not need to have an Air
Quality Permit or may simply be required to register with FCEAD. The rules for determining
whether an Air Quality Permit is required are in Section 3Q .0100
of the Forsyth County Air Quality Technical Code (FCAQTC) and companies
that are uncertain about whether they need to have an Air Quality Permit are encouraged
to contact FCEAD for an applicability determination. However, even if a company
doesn’t have an Air Quality Permit, it is still required to comply with all local
and federal emission standards contained in the FCAQTC. If you have any questions
or need additional information, please contact the Permitting Manager by email or by telephone at (336) 703-2440.
In addition to permitting, FCEAD requires certain air pollution sources to register
rather than obtain an air quality permit. The following types of sources are required
to register in Forsyth County.