Best practices for developers
Any business or industry that emits (releases), or has the potential to emit, pollutants into the air may be required to obtain an air permit from DEQ. For housing development, air permits are typically only needed if large parking lots are constructed or modified. However, there are other rules and requirements that apply to construction and development that must be followed.
Developers must prevent emissions of particulate matter from construction sites with practices such as application of water to minimize airborne dust; covering materials stockpiles; installation and use of hoods, fans and fabric filters to vent during the handling of dusty materials. For a full list of requirements, see Oregon Administrative Rule
340-208-0210. Developers must also take precautions to avoid nuisance air pollution. Nuisance means an interference with another's use and enjoyment of real property, or invasion of a right of the public (see OAR
340-208-0300 and
-0310).
For demolition or renovation projects, it is important that debris must be appropriately removed, handled, and disposed of, especially if containing
lead or asbestos. There are also air quality rules that apply to properties with woodstoves, burn restrictions of debris, and rules that apply to diesel equipment in the Portland metro region – see examples below for more details.
DEQ encourages developers to adopt practices that promote healthy living conditions for residents. For example, heating and cooling systems should be designed to protect residents during extreme temperatures and wildfire smoke events. And building materials and equipment should be chosen that minimizes exposure for residents to
toxic chemicals over the course of their occupancy.
Contact your regional DEQ office as early as possible to determine what permits you need or what rules apply to your project.
Examples of work
Indirect Source Permit for large parking lots
An Indirect Source Permit is required for parking lots with high traffic volume. This permit applies to:
- New parking lots with 800 or more spaces in the Portland metro area, or 1,000 or more spaces elsewhere in Oregon.
- Modifications to existing parking lots that increase capacity to 800 or more spaces in the Portland metro area, or 1,000 or more spaces elsewhere in Oregon.
If a property has existing woodstoves or if woodstoves will be installed
If you are buying property that has a woodstove or fireplace insert, you must verify that the device was certified to meet emissions standards when it was manufactured. A certified device will have a permanent certification label. If the device is not certified or does not have a label, state rules require it to be removed and destroyed before the real estate sale is completed. DEQ must be
notified that an uncertified device has been removed and destroyed. A list of currently certified devices is available in EPA's wood heater
database. More information is available on DEQ's Heat Smart page.
Burning debris
DEQ encourages developers to plan ahead and identify appropriate disposal locations. Open burning rules apply to any debris cleared on land that will be used for housing and any materials used in construction. Use the
Before You Burn Mapping Tool to find out whether and how open burning rules apply to your site. Contact your regional DEQ office if you have questions.
Diesel retrofit compliance for applicable medium- and heavy-duty vehicles
Certain older medium- and heavy-duty diesel trucks operating in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties are required to have DEQ-certified retrofit technology installed. Without this technology, the vehicle cannot be titled, registered or operated in these counties. Make sure any diesel vehicles used on your project meet this requirement.