In August 2016, a new regulation went into effect with requirements for controlling dust during construction and demolition activities. In January 2019, this regulation was modified to include requirements for certain earth disturbance activities, called earthworks. This regulation includes new notification, permitting, and work practice requirements.
Who
Contractors who perform certain construction and demolition activities that will put dust into the air must follow the regulation.
Requirements
Permitting requirements
You must obtain a dust control permit before performing any of the following activities:
- Completely demolishing a building or structure that is more than three stories, greater than 40 feet tall, or encompasses more than 10,000 square feet.
- Completely or partly demolishing a building or structure by implosion.
- Engaging in earthworks. Earthworks are defined as the clearing, grubbing, or earth disturbance of any land in excess of 5,000 square feet.
You may also be required to submit an asbestos abatement and demolition/renovation form to the Air Management Services Asbestos Control Unit, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), even if no asbestos is present at the site of the proposed demolition. See 40 C.F.R. Secs 61.145(a), (b).
Notification requirements
Notification must be distributed in advance of some demolition/construction projects to inform community members of the project and dust control measures planned to prevent any dust from leaving the project site. You can use our form to comply with the requirements found in Subsection A of the dust control regulation.
Cost
There is a $645 application fee for each dust control permit application.
How
Submit dust control permit applications and fees by mail to:
Source Registration
Air Management Services
321 University Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19104-4543
You can also submit dust control permit applications and fees using the Air Management Services online portal.