Waste Permits

The Waste Permits Division reviews and approves permits for facilities that handle solid and hazardous waste, such as landfills, treatment and storage sites, composting operations, and waste‑tire processors. Through careful technical review and strong scientific standards, the division ensures these facilities protect soil, groundwater, and public health. The Division also oversees the proper closure of waste sites, evaluates groundwater monitoring, recycling programs, and supports communities during natural disasters by pre‑approving emergency debris locations. By guiding facilities through the permitting process and enforcing environmental laws, the division helps safeguard Louisiana’s natural resources while supporting safe and effective waste management across the state.

The permitting group is responsible for reviewing and processing all waste‑related permit applications. They examine the information submitted by a facility, make sure it meets state requirements, and evaluate whether the proposed activities can be done safely. Their work includes checking technical details, environmental protections, and financial assurance to ensure the facility can operate responsibly. Once the review is complete, the permitting group prepares the permit decision, helping make sure waste in Louisiana is managed in a way that protects communities and the environment.

Geology also plays an important role in reviewing certain waste‑related applications to make sure they meet environmental and safety requirements. When a project involves things like landfills, surface impoundments, or underground features, geology staff examine the soil, rock, and groundwater conditions to confirm the site can safely handle the proposed activity. Their review helps ensure that waste will not leak into the ground, contaminate water, or cause stability problems. By evaluating these natural conditions, the geology team helps make sure facilities are built and operated in a way that protects people and the environment.

Engineering reviews many waste‑related applications to make sure facilities are designed and built safely. Their work includes checking construction plans, drainage systems, liners, leachate controls, and other structural features that help prevent pollution. They look closely at whether a facility can handle the amount and type of waste it plans to manage, and whether the design meets state performance standards. By evaluating these technical details, the engineering team helps ensure that facilities operate safely, protect nearby communities, and maintain long‑term environmental stability.

You need a waste permit in Louisiana if you do activities like running a landfill, separating waste, composting, storing waste for a long time, or operating a facility that handles trash or debris. You also need authorization if you transport waste for others or run a transfer station where waste is dropped off before being moved somewhere else. These permits help make sure waste is managed safely and doesn’t harm people or the environment. If you do anything more than just create normal trash, you probably need a permit. If you’re not sure, it’s best to check the permit guidelines and contact the office before you begin so you can avoid delays or penalties.

Acts 586 and 779 of the 2006 Regular Legislative Session authorized the department to develop an expedited permitting program. The statutes allow interested applicants to reimburse the department for overtime costs incurred by DEQ employees that work overtime to expedite a permit, modification, license, registration or variance. These statutes also afford the department the opportunity to hire contractors to perform this work if deemed necessary.

All requests for expedited permit processing must be accompanied by the required form. Applicants for expedited permit processing should be aware that not all permitting activities are eligible. Approval of expedited permit processing requests are subject to, among other considerations, the availability of departmental resources. For more information, please visit the Expedited Permit Processing Program webpage.

When a site undergoes a company name change, facility name change, and/or permit transfer associated with ownership and/or operator changes, a Notification of Change Form must be submitted in accordance with
LAC 33:I.Chapter 19. 

For more information, please visit Notification of Change for Facilities with Effective Permits webpage.