Who Must Apply

Any owner or operator of facilities for temporary storage, collection of regulated medical waste prior to transportation to a treatment facility, or treatment of regulated medical waste through incineration, steam sterilization, or approved alternate treatment. If more than 75% (by weight, in a calendar year) of all regulated medical waste that is stored, treated, or disposed of by the facility is generated on site, the facility may apply for an on-site permit-by-rule.

Authority

Virginia Code § 10.1-1408.1
Virginia Administrative Code 9 VAC 20-120-160 through 9 VAC 20-120-180 (on-site Permit-by-Rule) or 9 VAC 20-120-680 through 9 VAC 20-120-830 (full Permit-by-Rule).

Term

On-site Permit-by-Rule: Indefinite
Full (or Off-Site) Permit-by-Rule: 10 years

Fees

Permit fees for all waste permits are specified in 9 VAC 20-90-10 et seq.

Typical Requirements of a Permit

1. Facilities must comply with the requirements of Parts IV (General), V (Storage), VI (Transportation), VII (Incineration), VIII (Steam Sterilization), and IX (Alternate Treatment) of 9 VAC 20-120-10 et seq., as applicable.
2. Facilities operating under a full Permit-by-Rule must conform to siting, design and operation requirements in 9 VAC 20-120-690.
3. All facilities must comply with the Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Facilities (9 VAC 20-70-10 et seq.).

Application Process
For On-Site Permit by Rule

1. Contact DEQ Regional Office - Land Protection Manager.
2. Notify the Director of intent to operate such a facility and provide documentation required by 9 VAC 20-120-180.5. through 7.
3. Submit proof of financial responsibility in accordance with 9 VAC 20-70-10 et seq.

For Full (or Off-Site) Permit by Rule

1. Contact DEQ Regional Office - Land Protection Manager.
2. Notify the Director of intent to operate such a facility and provide documentation required by 9 VAC 20-120-710 and 720.
3. Provide certification that facility meets the applicable siting standards [Part V (9 VAC 20-120-330 et seq. for Storage facilities or transfer station); Part VII ( 9 VAC 20-120-520 et seq. for Incineration facilities); Part VIII (9 VAC 20-120-580 et seq. for Steam Sterilization facilities); or Part IX (9 VAC 20-80-630 et seq. for Alternate Treatment facilities)].
4. Provide certification from a Professional Engineer that facility has been designed and constructed in accordance with the applicable standards of Part V, VII, VIII, or IX of 9 VAC 20-120-10 et seq.
5. Submit an operational plan describing how the applicable standards of Part V, VII, VIII, or IX will be met in addition to the information required by 9 VAC 20-120-730.
6. Submit a closure plan describing how the standards of 9 VAC 20-120-290 will be met.
7. Submit proof of financial responsibility in accordance with 9 VAC 20-70-10 et seq.
8. Submit to the Director results of the public participation effort conducted in accordance with the requirements of 9 VAC 20-120-690.D.4.
9. Submit to the Director a copy of the facility permit issued by DEQ - Air Division of any regulated point source discharges at the facility, if applicable