Solid Waste Program Permit for a Resource Recovery and Management Facility

Solid waste program permit application packages must use the below listed forms and include all required supporting information. These forms must also be used to request modifications to existing solid waste program permits.

1. Community Composting Facility Permit Application – limited to facilities solely engaged in composting activities.
2. Lakefill Facility Permit Application – limited to activities/operations involving the filling of lakes.
3. General Solid Waste Facility Permit Application (Other) – to be used for all other types of facilities not specifically listed above.

Complete permit application packages must be submitted, for review and approval to:

Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources
Environmental Permitting Section
701 NW 1st Court, 7th Floor
Miami, FL 33136

Or via email to: [email protected]

In addition to a Miami-Dade County (local) solid waste program operating permit, a separate State of Florida solid waste permit may also be required for certain types of operations subject to State regulations governing solid waste management facilities, including, but not limited to, Chapters 62-701, 62-709, and 62-711, Florida Administrative Code. Refer to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) – Division of Waste Management website for further guidance concerning the regulatory and permitting framework established for these facilities by the FDEP.

The FDEP delegates permitting authority to Miami-Dade County for the processing and issuance of permits for certain types of State-regulated solid waste management facilities. Examples of delegated facilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Construction and demolition debris waste processing facilities (e.g., materials recovery facilities, transfer stations, etc).
• Class I and III waste processing facilities (e.g., materials recovery facilities, transfer stations, etc).
• Waste tire processing facilities

In the case of delegated facilities, prospective applicants may submit to the County a single comprehensive permit application package that includes both the County and State application forms and pertinent supporting information. For further guidance on the preparation of the permit application package or if you require confirmation that Miami-Dade County has delegated permitting authority for your proposed activity or operation, please contact the RER Environmental Permitting Section via email at [email protected] or call (305) 372-6600.

In addition to solid waste program permits, other approvals and permits may be required for the construction and operation of a solid waste RRMF. The applicability of these potential additional requirements depends on the location, design and scope of the intended operation. This may include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Approval by the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM). This is required for all RRMFs pursuant to sections 24-18 and 15-18 of the Code of Miami-Dade County. Evaluation of compliance with these requirements is conducted by the DSWM as part of the permitting process for obtaining a Miami-Dade County solid waste program permit.
• Stormwater management permits and approvals from RER’s Water Control Section.
• Environmental Class permits (e.g, freshwater wetlands, etc) from RER.
• Special zoning approvals (e.g., public hearing, etc). For facilities located in a municipality, please contact the governing municipal zoning agency to obtain a formal zoning evaluation. For facilities located in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, please contact RER's Zoning Development Services Division to obtain an evaluation of compliance with Chapter 33 of the Code of Miami-Dade County.
• Environmental plan review approval (e.g., building permits, etc).

The above does not constitute a comprehensive listing of additional approvals or permits that may be required for your proposed facility or project. For activities subject to other local, state or federal permitting or development requirements, prospective applicants are responsible for contacting the appropriate agencies for further assistance and guidance.

In Miami-Dade County, RRMFs are subject to compliance with local land use prohibitions established in Chapter 24 of the Code. Land use prohibitions that such facilities may be subject to include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Sections 24-43.1(4) and 24-43.1(6) of the Code – prohibitions on the establishment of non-residential land uses at locations not served by public water and sewer utilities.
• Section 24-43(11) of the Code – prohibition on the establishment of RRMFs within any portion of a designated Wellfield Protection Area.

Solid waste program permit applications for RRMFs that do not comply with Chapter 24 of the Code cannot be approved through administrative procedures. RRMFs determined to be non-compliant are required to obtain either an extension of time or variance from the provisions of Chapter 24 of the Code through a public hearing before the Environmental Quality Control Board (EQCB).

In the case of State-regulated facilities, additional siting requirements may apply pursuant to State regulations including, but not limited to, Chapters 62-701, 62-709, and 62-711, Florida Administrative Code.

Local Fees: The review and processing of permit applications and issuance of Miami-Dade County solid waste program permits require the payment of application fees (paid at time of application submittal) and operating permit fees (paid prior to permit issuance). Refer to the “operating permit fees” section of the Fee Schedule for the listing of current fees applicable to solid waste RRMFs.

State Fees (for facilities delegated to Miami-Dade County): the review and processing of permit applications for State of Florida solid waste management facilities delegated to Miami-Dade County require the payment of fees in accordance with subsection 62-701.315, Florida Administrative Code.

Miami-Dade County (local) solid waste program permits are generally valid for one year and are required to be renewed and maintained for as long as the regulated facility remains in operation.

In the case of State of Florida solid waste management facility permits delegated to Miami-Dade County, the duration and renewal of these permits is governed by subsection 62-701.320, Florida Administrative Code. Depending on the type and design of the regulated facility as well as its compliance history, the maximum duration of these permits varies between 5, 10, and 20 years. The maximum permit duration for which a specific facility may qualify is determined as part of the permitting process.

Prior to the preparation and submittal of a solid waste program permit application package, prospective applicants are advised to schedule a pre-application meeting with staff from RER’s Environmental Permitting Section to obtain more specific guidance concerning permitting requirements for your proposed facility or project.

For meeting requests or if you have general questions about the process for obtaining a solid waste program operating permit, please email [email protected] or call (305) 372-6600.