Landfill Permit

Who Needs a Landfill Permit?

Persons who wish to construct or operate a solid waste disposal facility must obtain a landfill permit from the TDEC Division of Solid Waste Management. Permits are required by the following types of disposal facilities:

Class I disposal facility - takes non-hazardous municipal solid wastes such as household wastes, approved special wastes, and commercial wastes
Class II disposal facility - takes non-hazardous industrial wastes, commercial wastes and fill
Class III disposal facility - takes Class IV wastes plus landscaping, land clearing and farming wastes
Class IV disposal facility - takes construction/demolition wastes, shredded tires and waste with similar characteristics

Facilities covered by Permit-by-Rule, junkyards and other exempted solid waste disposal facilities or practices are not required to obtain a landfill permit.

What Information Must I Provide?

The applicant must submit the following items to the Division of Solid Waste Management staff at the appropriate Environmental Field Office.

Part I:

A completed application (Solid Waste Part 1 Application, CN-1036) which includes the name, address and phone numbers of the owner(s); proposed activities to be conducted at the facility; a statement regarding whether the facility is subject to local approval (TCA § 68-211-701) and county approval if necessary
A topographic map showing the facility, property boundaries to 1/2 mile past the boundaries, each waste processing or disposal unit, wells, springs, and other surface water bodies within 1/4 mile of the property boundaries
A completed disclosure statement (Applicant Disclosure Statement, CN-1306) containing information concerning past performance in waste management fields of the applicant, officers, directors and/or partners of the applicant's business

Part II:

A hydrogeologic assessment of the potential site
Facility design plans and operations manual
Financial assurance demonstrating the financial responsibility for closure and post-closure care
Other specific requirements for Class I, II, III, and IV disposal facilities

A new facility cannot begin construction without submitting Parts I and II and receiving an effective permit.

Form Description & Number

Solid Waste Disposal Facility (Landfill) Part 1 Permit Application, CN-1036

How Do I Modify An Existing Permit?

Permit modifications are necessary whenever the permittee wants to operate or construct differently than as shown and described in the Engineering Permit Drawings and Narrative Description of the Facility and Operations. Modification can be deemed Major or Minor and must be formally requested and approved by the Department prior to implementation.

Visit our Permit Modifications page to learn more about this process.

How Will My Application Be Evaluated And Processed?

Permit applications are evaluated by inspecting the facility and checking its consistency with Parts I and II to determine whether performance and design standards have been met.

After the Part I application is received and reviewed for completeness, a preliminary public notice is issued. The state archeologist reviews the site for the existence of burial grounds. The Part II items then are submitted to the Division and are reviewed by a committee. When all documents and approvals have been met, a second public notice of intent to issue a permit is issued. Public response to this second notice may generate another public notice to hold a public hearing. If requested, the Division may give notice of a public hearing concurrently with the second public notice of intent to issue a permit. After review of the public comments, a final public notice with the permit decision is issued. The entire permit process may take from 16 to 32 months, depending on the type of facility, public interest, public hearings, revisions, appeals and site preparation.

Landfill permits are valid for the life of the facility as permitted as long as it complies with regulations and annual maintenance fees are paid.

What Fees Are Required?

Application Review Fees:

Class I and Class II (Hydrogeologic plan) - $4,000
Class I and Class II (Design and construction plans) - $6,000
Class III and Class IV - $3,000
Major Modifications - $2,000
Solid Waste Application Filing/Processing Fee Form, CN-0934

Annual Maintenance Fees:

Department annually submits an invoice to all applicable permittees that owe an annual maintenance fee.

Class I (tons/year)

Greater than 50,000 - $15,000
25,000 to 50,000 - $10,000
Less than 25,000 - $5,000
Zero Tons - $1,000
Post Closure - $1,000

Class II (tons/year)

Greater than 1,000 - $10,000
Less than 1,000 - $4,000

Class III and IV (tons/year)

Greater than 10,000 - $4,000
Less than 10,000 - $3,000

What Are My Rights and Responsibilities After The Permit Is Granted?

The applicant has the right to proceed with approved activities according to the conditions specified on the permit. Permits are transferable but require a new application, public notice, disclosure statement and assumption of financial assurance requirements. Major modifications require a public notice and re-issuance of the permit.

If a permit is denied or if the applicant disagrees with certain permit conditions, the permit may be appealed to the Underground Storage Tanks and Solid Waste Disposal Control Board.

The applicant is responsible for:

Monitoring and submitting results for ground water, surface water and landfill gas
Keeping records on the sources and weight of all wastes received
Submitting reports describing any construction activities, compliance with cover requirements and monthly waste volumes
Conducting an annual survey to determine remaining landfill capacity
Guarding against the disposal of hazardous waste, unauthorized special waste and PCBs

What Are The Division's Rights and Responsibilities After The Permit Is Granted?

The Division has the responsibility to regulate solid waste storage, processing and disposal facilities in order to protect public health and the environment.

The Division of Solid Waste Management has the right to inspect a facility as deemed necessary and without announcement, terminate a permit or deny a renewal for non-compliance, and establish permit conditions in order to achieve compliance with federal laws. Penalties for noncompliance range from administrative orders to fines up to $5,000 per day per violation.

Whom Do I Contact for Applications, Assistance and Other Sources of Information?

Applications and further assistance can be obtained from the Division of Solid Waste Management. New applicants who need more than one permit can contact their Environmental Field Office for further assistance.