Solid Waste Permitting

  Environmental Protection   >   Land Quality   >   Solid Waste   >   Solid Waste Permitting

Solid Waste Permitting

The DNR regulates the construction, operation and closure of facilities and projects that manage, process and dispose solid waste. This website provides information and tools to help facilities with the permitting process, including forms, contacts and information on code requirements.

Full listing of permit types

DNR Contact:
Mike Sullivan 
515-360-1671
Michael.Sullivan@dnr.iowa.gov

Solid Waste Permitting Web Application

Solid Waste Permitting Web Application tracks permit amendments, renewals and report submittals for solid waste facilities. The application also contains basic facility information such as permit numbers, facility contacts, project locations and permit expiration dates. 

All incoming and outgoing documents are converted to an electronic format and are available for public viewing using the Electronic Document Retrieval Report.

For specific facility information, please contact a Solid Waste Facility Contact

Waiver Request Form

Pursuant to 561 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 10, Waivers from Administrative Rules, a petitioner must provide comprehensive justification of a proposed request for a waiver to an administrative rule as adopted by the Department.

This form will assist you in providing all pertinent information that is necessary for the Department to grant a waiver. The form must be submitted to the Department and must contain an adequate amount of factual and concise information. The obligation rests with the petitioner to provide convincing evidence to justify the granting of a waiver. You may provide additional information or attach additional pages if needed. The Department reserves the right to require additional information to further support request for a waiver.

LQB Waiver Request Form (542-0004)

Solid Waste Programs

1 Appliance Demanufacturing

List of Active ADP Facilities

State Laws and Rules for Beneficial Use Determinations

Application and Reporting Documents

DNR contact:
Susan Johnson
515-217-0872
susan.johnson@dnr.iowa.gov

2 Beneficial Use

The Beneficial Use Determinations Program was developed for determining when a solid by-product is a resource and not a solid waste. Solid by-products determined by the Department not to be a solid waste through a beneficial use determination may not be subject to all Sanitary Disposal Project (SDP) permitting requirements. Furthermore, the purpose of this program is to encourage the utilization of solid by-products as resources when such utilization improves, or at a minimum does not adversely affect, human health and the environment.

State Laws and Rules for Beneficial Use Determinations

Application and Reporting Documents

DNR Contact:
Chad Stobbe
515-201-8272
Chad.Stobbe@dnr.iowa.gov

3 Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) Collection & Recycling

4 Composting

5 Land Application

The Department has jurisdiction over the disposal of solid waste including the land application of those wastes. The land application of solid wastes requires a specific permit from the Department, unless certain conditions are met which warrant that an exemption be granted.

State Laws and Rules for Land Application of Wastes

IAC Chapter 567-121: Land Application of Wastes

Application and Reporting Documents

Land Application Financial Assurance

Fact Sheet

Land Application of Industrial Waste Fact Sheet

DNR Contact:
Theresa Stiner
515-721-7979
theresa.stiner@dnr.iowa.gov

6 Landfarming

The purpose of this program is to establish rules for the safe and effective remediation and disposal of petroleum contaminated soil (PCS) through landfarming.

State Laws and Rules for Landfarming

IAC Chapter 567-120: Landfarming of Petroleum Contaminated Soil

Application and Reporting Documents

Single Use Landfarming

Single Use Landfarming Application Form (Form 542-8126)
Single Use Landfarming Application Form (Form 542-8126)
Single Use Landfarm Early Closure Form (Form 542-8160)

Multi-Use Landfarming

Multi-Use Landfarming Application Form (Form 542-8127)
Multi-Use Landfarming Application Form (Form 542-8127)

Landfarming Inspection Form (Form 542-0362)
Landfarming Inspection Form (Form 542-0362)
Landfarming and Storage Notification Form (Form 542-8128)
Financial Assurance

DNR Contact:
Matthew Graesch
515-725-8331
Matthew.Graesch@dnr.iowa.gov

7 Municipal and Industrial Landfills

The landfill rules detail any permitting, siting, design, operating, monitoring, corrective action, reporting, record-keeping, closure, and post-closure requirements for sanitary landfills.

State Laws and Rules for Landfills

The DNR is developing: 

Draft - Request to reduce or end post closure care and preparation of post closure care reduction/termination plan

Please submit written comments by November 21, 2022.

Comments received to date resulting from previous draft and meetings:

Final Cover Requirements:

Groundwater Quality Requirements:

Statewide Groundwater Protection Standard - Vanadium (posted 9/27/2013)

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR recently reduced the statewide groundwater protection standard (GWPS) for vanadium from 0.049 mg/l to 0.035 mg/l, based on risk calculations. However, recent discussions indicate that the practical quantification level for vanadium is typically 0.050 mg/l, so in accordance with 567 Iowa Administrative Rule 137.5(9), the DNR accepts a GWPS of 0.050 mg/l.

137.5(9), practical quantification limits. In no case will the statewide standard be less than the practical quantification limit, as determined by the department.

There may be instances where your laboratory may have difficulty reporting levels of vanadium to 0.050 mg/l. the DNR requests that such instances be evaluated case by case and discussed with the DNR.

Application Forms and Documents

Coal Combustion Residue Landfill Permit Application Form (542-1600)
Coal Combustion Residue Landfill Permit Application Form (542-1600)
Construction and Demolition Landfill Permit Application Form (542-1608)
Construction and Demolition Landfill Permit Application Form (542-1608)
Industrial Monofill Permit Application Form (542-1609)
Industrial Monofill Permit Application Form (542-1609)
Municipal Landfill Permit Application Form (542-1542)
Municipal Landfill Permit Application Form (542-1542)
Landfill Inspection Form (542-3160)

Reporting Forms

Quarterly Solid Waste Fee Schedule & Retained Fees Report (now online) (542-3276)
Request Form to Exempt Contaminated Soil from Goal Progress
Request Form to Exempt Exceptional Event Waste
Directions and Retained Fee Uses
Fee-Exempt Material Quarterly Report (542-8015)

Other Resources

DNR Contact - Municipal Landfills:
Mike Smith
515-229-8356
mike.smith@dnr.iowa.gov

DNR Contact - Industrial Landfills:
Brian Rath
515-537-4051
brian.rath@dnr.iowa.gov

8 Regional Collection Centers (RCC)

Regional Collection Centers (RCCs) are permanent collection facilities designed to assist the public and Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) businesses with proper management and disposal of household hazardous materials. RCC programs allow households and businesses to safely manage hazardous materials they may have, minimizing the product’s impact on the environment and improving the health and safety of homes and businesses.

Regional Collection Center Permit Documents

DNR contact:
Kathleen Hennings
515-229-6692
kathleen.hennings@dnr.iowa.gov

9 Transfer Stations and Citizen Convenience Center

10 Waste Tire Hauler Registration

Individuals or firms engaged in the hauling of waste tires for a fee must register annually with the Department before hauling waste tires in Iowa, according to Iowa law. this law applies to firms that pick up tires within Iowa or that bring waste tires to Iowa for disposal, storage or processing.

Quick Facts for Waste Tire Haulers:

  • Must register if hauling for a fee, and if carrying more than 40 tires in single load
  • Fee is $50 per year
  • The hauler must post a $150,000 surety bond
  • The hauler must transport tires to a permitted facility for storage, disposal or processing within 72 hours
  • The hauler may not establish any temporary storage, transfer or sorting facilities for the waste tires collected, unless properly permitted

State Laws and Rules for Waste Tire Haulers:

Application and Reporting Documents:

DNR Contact:
Mel Pins
515-729-4616
mel.pins@dnr.iowa.gov

11 Waste Tire Storage and Processing Facilities

Facilities that store, process and recycle waste tires are required to have a permit for their operation through the Department. al facilities must store tires in a manner to reduce risk of fire or environmental impact.

Quick Facts for Waste Tire Facilities:

  • Permit required, $850 annual fee
  • Permitted waste tire storage facilities must carry a bond equivalent to $2.50 per tire stored
  • Permitted tire processing facilities may only store the amount of tires they can process in three working days. additional storage requires a bond of $.85 per tire
  • A permitted processor may only store a maximum of 50,000 tires in any combination of processing capacity or financial assurance
  • Open burning of any type is prohibited at a tire processing/storage facility
  • Tire piles at a permitted storage facility must be 300 feet from the nearest property line
  • Tire piles at a tire processing facility must be 50 feet from any property line or building on site

State Laws and Rules for Waste Tire Storage / Processing Facilities

Application and Reporting Documents

DNR Contact:
Mel Pins
515-729-4616
mel.pins@dnr.iowa.gov