Surface Coating Operations

Surface coating or painting operations are the processes of depositing a coating material on a target surface using certain application methodologies such as spray, roll, etc. Surface coating operations can be prime and topcoat or single coat operations.

Surface coating operations are eligible to operate in Florida under the terms of an air general permit (AGP) pursuant to the requirements of 62-210.310(4)(c), Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). 

An AGP is an authorization by rule to construct or operate a specific type of air pollutant emitting facility. Use of such authorization by any individual facility does not require action by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The terms and conditions of an AGP are set forth in the rule, rather than in a separately issued air construction or air operation permit.

Some surface coating operations may qualify for an exemption under Rule 62-210.300(3)(a)(27), F.A.C., provided:

• The surface coating operation shall use only coatings containing 5.0 percent or less Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), by volume, or the total quantity of coatings containing greater than 5.0 percent VOC, by volume, used at the facility shall not exceed 6.0 gallons per day, averaged monthly, where the quantity of coatings used includes all solvents and thinners used in the process or for cleanup; and

• Such operations are not subject to any unit-specific applicable requirement.

Registration

You can register, renew, transfer or make administrative corrections to AGPs online.

• Air General Permit Electronic Registration System (AGPERS)   

If you do not wish to use AGPERS, you can optionally download and complete the following worksheet and mail it to DEP at the address indicated in the worksheet instructions along with the $100 processing fee.

• Surface Coating Operations Air General Permit Example Worksheet

Compliance Assistance Information

• Surface Coating Informational Handout
• Paints & Coatings Resource Center
• EPA's Collision Repair Campaign Website
• EPA Guidelines and Standards for Solvent Use and Surface Coating Industry

For more information on AGPs or assistance with using AGPERS, please contact DEP's Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at 1-800-722-7457.

For questions related to compliance procedures such as test notifications, report submittals, record keeping, inspections, etc., please contact the compliance authority specific to the county where your facility is located. If it’s located in Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas or Sarasota counties, visit our Local Program Air Contacts page. For all other counties, go to our District Air Contacts page.