Permit Toolbox

The Permit Toolbox provides online tools and resources to provide guidance to local enforcement agencies (LEA), operators, applicants, and CalRecycle staff in obtaining, processing, and maintaining new and revised solid waste facility permits and completing other permit-related tasks and responsibilities.

The resources of the Permit Toolbox are organized by regulatory tiers, facility types, permit tasks and tools, and application elements. These five drop-down menus allow quick access to available permit information. Or, if you’re not familiar with CalRecycle’s permit process, start with one of these general resources:

Regulatory Tiers

Depending on the relative environmental impacts, a facility can qualify for one of five regulatory tiers. Use one of these electronic fact sheets to find information and resources on the type of permit you are processing.

Facility Type

CalRecycle regulates many types of facilities and operations that handle, process, dispose, or otherwise manage solid waste. Most solid waste facilities require a permit to operate. Operations do not require a permit but may still be under the jurisdiction of CalRecycle. See the full list of facilities and operations.

Application and Permit Packages

Each permit and application submittal requires additional information, documents, and findings to be attached. Choose an element from this "laundry list" for more information on each part of the application. Also see the the full permit "laundry list".

Permit Tasks

Choose from this list of the most common permit-related tasks for more information on each step of the permit process. Also, see the permit task/tier chart to compare the steps required for each type of permit.

Permit Tools

Find job aids to help you navigate the permit process. More tools are available at LEA Central tools and services.

Permit Bill of Rights
The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) has initiated reforms and intends to continue the effort to make environmental permitting more efficient, less costly, and to ensure that those seeking permits receive timely responses from the boards and departments of the CalEPA. To further this goal, CalEPA has developed and endorses the Environmental Permit Applicant’s Bill of Rights (from the CalEPA website).

What’s New in the Permit Toolbox

For the latest changes and additions to the Permit Toolbox, please see the What’s New webpage. This page tracks the maintenance history of all updates made to the permit toolbox.

Toolbox Maintenance

This resource is continuously changing and improving based on new information and your feedback. If you have any suggestions on how to improve the toolbox, please contact PermitTrainingAssistance@calrecycle.ca.gov.

For more information contact: LEA Support Services, PermitTrainingAssistance@calrecycle.ca.gov