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AirPermitHub

TN · EPA Region 4

Tennessee Air Permits

TDEC's Division of Air Pollution Control requires a construction permit before building or modifying an air contaminant source unless it is exempt (Rule 1200-03-09), followed by an operating permit: true minor, conditional major (limits to stay below Title V), or Title V. Combined construction/operating permits are available. General permits (via Notice of Intent and Notice of Coverage) and Permits by Rule (via NOI and Notice of Authorization, Rule 1200-03-09-.07) cover listed categories. Major sources need PSD (BACT) in attainment areas or nonattainment NSR (LAER). Four local programs (Chattanooga-Hamilton, Knox, Memphis-Shelby, Nashville-Davidson) permit in their areas. Non-confidential submittals can be emailed to Air.Pollution.Control@tn.gov.
Verified against agency sourceLast reviewed 2026-10-25

Air permits & authorizations

  • Exempt and insignificant activities

    Exemption

    Exemptions are in Rule 1200-03-09-.04; farming equipment and mobile sources are exempt. Exempt and insignificant units must be designated in writing and listed in the Title V permit if the source is major. For PBR-listed federal-rule sources, insignificant status uses uncontrolled PTE thresholds.

    Thresholds (summarized from source, not a quotation)

    Insignificant status (PBR-listed federal rule sources): uncontrolled PTE below 5 TPY per criteria pollutant and below 1,000 lbs/yr per HAP (restated from TDEC's August 2025 permitting workshop).

    Rule 1200-03-09-.04Official page

  • Permit by Rule (PBR)

    Permit by Rule

    For minor sources in specific categories: gasoline dispensing facilities, stationary emergency internal combustion engines, and auto body refinishing (some excluded by Rule 1200-03-18). Obtained through a Notice of Intent and Notice of Authorization. Implemented starting 2017.

    Rule 1200-03-09-.07Official page

  • General Permits

    General Permit

    G00001 perchloroethylene dry cleaners and G00002 petroleum solvent dry cleaners (expire February 1, 2027); G00003 concrete batch plants (expires March 11, 2034); G00004 nonmetallic mineral crushing and sizing (expires April 17, 2034); G00005 large concrete batch plants (expires May 15, 2035). Obtained through a Notice of Intent and Notice of Coverage. Construction application fees and annual fees apply to most general permit sources since 2024.

    Thresholds (summarized from source, not a quotation)

    G00003: concrete batch plants with emissions under 10 tons/year (restated from TDEC).

    Official page

  • Construction Permit (minor NSR)

    Minor NSR

    Required before building or modifying an air contaminant source unless exempt. Minor (non-Title V) applications should be submitted at least 90 days before construction; the Division has 115 days to issue after a complete application.

    Rule 1200-03-09-.01(1)Official page

  • Non-Title V Operating Permit (true minor or conditional major)

    State Operating

    Non-Title V construction permit holders apply within 30 days of startup. Conditional major permits take limits to stay below Title V thresholds. Typically issued for 10 years.

    Rule 1200-03-09Official page

Major NSR (PSD & nonattainment)

  • Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)

    PSD

    Major NSR in attainment areas; requires BACT. Major/Title V and major NSR applications should be submitted at least 120 days before construction; the Division has 180 days to issue after a complete application.

    Thresholds (summarized from source, not a quotation)

    100 TPY for listed industrial categories or 250 TPY for all other categories (restated from TDEC's August 2025 workshop).

    Rule 1200-03-09Official page

  • Nonattainment NSR

    Nonattainment NSR

    Major NSR in nonattainment areas; requires LAER.

    Thresholds (summarized from source, not a quotation)

    Generally 100 TPY of the nonattainment pollutant or its designated precursors (restated).

    Rule 1200-03-09Official page

Title V operating permits

  • Title V Operating Permit

    Title V

    Major sources, Title IV acid rain sources, and facilities required by federal rule (e.g., some landfills); lower thresholds apply in nonattainment areas. New applications are due within the construction permit's timeframe and no later than 360 days after startup; renewals 6 to 9 months before expiration; 5-year term. Draft permits get 30 days of public review and 45 days of EPA review.

    Thresholds (summarized from source, not a quotation)

    10 tpy of any HAP, 25 tpy of combined HAPs, or 100 tpy of any regulated air pollutant (restated from TDEC's Air Permits page).

    Rule 1200-03-09Official page

Oil & Gas

TDEC's air permit pages list no oil and gas specific general permit or PBR. Oil and gas sources follow the construction and operating permit requirements above and applicable federal NSPS/NESHAP.

    Oil & Gas industry hub

    State air regulations

    Forms

    Guidance

    Compliance

    State compliance obligations (reporting, emissions inventory, testing) are being indexed. Use the Compliance dashboard preview to see how they will be tracked.

    Sources

    Editorial note: Fee changes took effect March 3, 2024 and July 1, 2024; specific amounts not listed on reviewed pages. Rule 1200-03-26 title inferred from a TDEC rulemaking filing name. Scanned permit documents are on TDEC's SmogLog dataviewer.

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