Solid Waste Permitting

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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

The solid waste 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 Contacts

Variance Request Form

Pursuant to 561 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 10, Waivers or Variances from
Administrative Rules, a petitioner must provide comprehensive justification of a proposed request for a waiver or variance 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 or variance. 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 or variance. 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 or variance.

LQB Waiver/Variance Request Form (542-0004)

Solid Waste Programs

IAC Chapter 567-118: Discarded Appliance Demanufacturing

DNR Contact Susan Johnson 515-725-8317 Susan.Johnson@dnr.iowa.gov

The Beneficial Use Determinations program was developed for instances in which 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 

IAC Chapter 567-108: Beneficial Use Determinations: Solid By-Products as Resources and Alternative Cover Material

Application and Reporting Documents

Beneficial Use Determination Application Form (542-0056) Beneficial Use Determination Application Form (542-0056) Solid By-Product Management Plan - Analytical Testing Report (542-0652) Solid By-Product Management Plan - Analytical Testing Report (542-0652)

DNR Contact Chad Stobbe 515-725-8351 Chad.Stobbe@dnr.iowa.gov

State laws and rules for CRT collection & recycling

Application and Reporting Documents:

DNR Contact Susan Johnson 515-725-8317 Susan.Johnson@dnr.iowa.gov

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 515-725-8315 Theresa.Stiner@dnr.iowa.gov

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

Multi-Use Landfarming

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

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

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

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

State Laws and rules for Landfills

The DNR is accepting comments (an end date is not set but is expected to be in 2018) on: Draft - Request to Reduce or End Post Closure Care and Preparation of Post Closure Care Reduction/Termination Plan
Comments received to date: 
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 0.007 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 515-725-8314 Mike.Smith@dnr.iowa.gov

DNR Contact - Industrial Landfills

Nina Booker 515-725-8309 Nina.Booker@dnr.iowa.gov

Regional Collection Centers (RCCs) are permanent collection facilities designed to assist the public and conditionally exempt small quantity generator (CESQG) 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 515-725-8359 Kathleen.Hennings@dnr.iowa.gov

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 $10,000 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 515-725-8344 Mel.Pins@dnr.iowa.gov

Facilities that store, process and recycle waste tires are required to have a permit for their operation through the department. All 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 $.85 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 515-725-8344 Mel.Pins@dnr.iowa.gov