Approvals and Permits

Approvals

Refuse collection frequency is prescribed in the Maricopa County Environmental Health Code (MCEHC). Chapter II, Section 5, Regulation 4.a of the MCEHC states:

• The frequency of collection shall be in accordance with regulation of the collection agency but not less than that shown in the following schedules:
  1. Garbage only - twice weekly
  2. Refuse with garbage - twice weekly
  3. Rubbish and ashes - as often as necessary to prevent nuisances and fly breeding.

If a variance from this regulation is required then an approval must be obtained from the Department. A refuse collection variance plan is submitted to the Solid Waste Program when a collection variance is requested.

A refuse collection variance plan must demonstrate that no public health hazard or nuisance will exist and that fly breeding will be controlled by biological, chemical or mechanical means. The plan must also contain provisions for random inspections by the Department of at least one percent of all refuse containers.

The Solid Waste Program reviews and approves proposed refuse collection variance plans. Each plan is also reviewed and approved by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The ADEQ grants the variance prior to implementation of the plan.

Permits

An operating permit must be obtained from the Solid Waste Program for:

• Refuse Transportation Vehicles
• Non-Hazardous Liquid Waste (NHLW) Transportation Vehicles.
• Biohazardous Medical Waste Transportation Vehicles.
• Refuse Containers included in a Refuse Collection Variance Plan
• Chemical Toilets.
• Construction Debris Landfills.

Vehicles used for the collection and transportation of refuse must obtain a permit to operate. In order to qualify for a permit, the vehicle must be inspected and comply with the regulations listed in Chapter II, Section 5 of the Maricopa County Environmental Health Code.

Vehicles used for the collection and transportation of non-hazardous liquid waste (NHLW) must obtain a permit to operate. In order to qualify for a permit, the vehicle must be inspected and comply with the regulations listed in Chapter II, Section 7 of the Maricopa County Environmental Health Code.

Vehicles used for the collection and transportation of biohazardous medical waste must obtain a permit to operate. In order to qualify for a permit, the vehicle must be inspected and comply with the regulations listed in Administrative Code (AAC) Title 18, Chapter 13, Article 14 "Biohazardous Medical Waste and Discarded Drugs".

Refuse containers included in a refuse collection variance plan must be permitted. In order to qualify for a permit, the container must be inspected and comply with the regulations listed in Chapter II, Section 5 of the Maricopa County Environmental Health Code.

Chemical toilets made available by a non-hazardous liquid waste (NHLW) hauler for public used must be permitted. In order to qualify for a permit, the toilet must be inspected and comply with the regulations listed in Chapter II, Section 6 of the Maricopa County Environmental Health Code.

Landfills used for the disposal of construction debris must obtain a permit to operate. In order to qualify for a permit, the landfill must be inspected and comply with the regulations listed in Chapter II, Section 4 of the Maricopa County Environmental Health Code.

Additional information about operating permits can be found on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Refuse Transportation, NHLW Transportation, Medical Waste Transportation, Refuse Containers, Chemical Toilets and Construction Debris Landfills pages.

Please contact the Solid Waste Program to obtain additional information about refuse, NHLW or biohazardous medical waste transportation vehicle, refuse container, chemical toilet or construction debris landfill operating permits.

Issuance of Permits

Vehicles transporting refuse, non-hazardous liquid waste (NHLW) or biohazardous medical waste must be inspected and comply with all of the regulations listed in the Maricopa County Environmental Health Code. Permits are issued to an individual vehicle and are valid for a period of one year. On tractor/trailer combinations, only the trailer will be permitted.

Refuse container permits are issued in conjunction with a refuse collection variance plan approval and are valid for a period of one year.

Chemical toilet permits are issued after they have been inspected and approved and are valid for a period of one year.

Construction debris landfill permits are issued when the landfill's construction, operations and maintenance plan is approved and are valid for a period of one year.

Permit Fees and Renewals

The fees for operating permits are listed in the fee schedule in Chapter I of the Maricopa County Environmental Health Code fee schedule. The fee for a refuse, non-hazardous liquid waste (NHLW) or biohazardous medical waste transportation vehicle operating permit is assessed on a per vehicle basis. The fees for refuse containers or chemical toilets are assessed based on the number of containers or toilets being permitted. Construction debris landfills are charged a fixed fee amount for each individual landfill.

The Department’s Business Operations sends notices for operating permit renewal fees on annual basis. Renewal eligibility is contingent on compliance with the rules and regulations.

Closure of a Permit

Please contact the Solid Waste Program to obtain additional information on how to close a refuse, non-hazardous liquid waste (NHLW) or biohazardous medical waste transportation vehicle, refuse container, chemical toilet or construction debris landfill operating permit.