The Texas TCEQ Air Permit by Rule (PBR) Notification, filed on Form PI-7-CERT, is a pre-construction registration submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality by any person who plans to build or modify a facility that emits air contaminants under one of the standard exemptions listed in 30 TAC Chapter 106. Filing the PI-7 (or PI-7-CERT) authorizes construction without a full New Source Review (NSR) permit, but only if your project truly fits the conditions of the chosen PBR rule.
If you skip the notification or build before TCEQ confirms registration, you face administrative penalties of up to $25,000 per day per violation under Texas Health & Safety Code §382.085. TCEQ processes roughly 8,000–10,000 PBR registrations every year, and internal staff data show that nearly 30% of paper filings are returned for missing Core Data, bad emissions math, or wrong rule citations.
- 📋 The exact difference between a PBR, a Standard Permit, and a Case-by-Case NSR permit, so you pick the right path.
- 🧾 A line-by-line walk-through of Form PI-7-CERT with sample entries from real Texas filers.
- 💵 The current fee schedule under 30 TAC §106.50 and how to pay through ePay.
- 🛠️ Three full filer scenarios: an oil & gas tank battery, an auto body paint booth, and a concrete batch plant.
- ⚠️ The ten mistakes that get PBR registrations voided, returned, or escalated to enforcement.
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
A Permit by Rule is a pre-authorization that TCEQ has already written for low-emission activities, codified in 30 TAC Chapter 106. When your project fits the conditions of a specific PBR rule, you do not need a full case-by-case air permit, but most PBRs still require you to register the activity using Form PI-7-CERT. The PI-7-CERT is the certified-registration version, where the responsible official certifies, under penalty of perjury, that the project meets every condition of the cited rule.
Anyone who plans to construct or modify a stationary source of air contaminants in Texas may need to file. This includes oil and gas operators registering tank batteries under §106.352 and §106.472, auto body shops registering paint booths under §106.433, concrete batch plants under §106.201, and manufacturers adding emergency generators under §106.512.
The legal authority for the program flows from the Texas Clean Air Act and is implemented by the TCEQ Air Permits Division. The agency has published Regulatory Guidance RG-518, which is the practical handbook every PBR filer should keep open while completing the form. A PBR registration is not the same as a Standard Permit under 30 TAC Chapter 116, Subchapter F, and choosing the wrong vehicle is one of the most common reasons TCEQ kicks a project back.
Some PBRs are recordkeeping-only under §106.4 and require no PI-7 at all, while others require registration under §106.6. Reading the specific rule text before you file is non-negotiable, because the text controls whether registration is mandatory.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gathering paperwork before you open the form saves hours of back-and-forth with TCEQ reviewers. The agency cross-checks your filing against its Central Registry and against EPA’s Facility Registry Service, so identifiers must match exactly. A single typo in your Customer Number can stall a project for weeks.
- Customer Number (CN) — your 11-digit TCEQ customer ID from the Central Registry; without it, TCEQ cannot link the filing to your company, and the registration will be returned.
- Regulated Entity Number (RN) — the 11-digit ID for the physical site; new sites must request an RN through a Core Data Form (TCEQ-10400) submitted with the PI-7.
- Latitude and longitude in decimal degrees to four decimals, taken at the front gate or stack; bad coordinates trigger modeling errors and emission-inventory mismatches.
- Plot plan and area map showing property lines, emission points, and the nearest off-property receptor; required by §106.6(b).
- Process flow diagram with each emission point labeled (EPN-1, EPN-2, etc.) so reviewers can match the diagram to your emissions table.
- Emissions calculations for every criteria pollutant and HAP, using AP-42 factors, manufacturer data, or stack tests; missing math is the number-one return reason.
- MSDS/SDS sheets for any coatings, solvents, or fuels that drive VOC, HAP, or PM emissions.
- Federal applicability check for NSPS (40 CFR 60), NESHAP (40 CFR 63), and Title V; PBR does not exempt you from federal rules.
- Payment confirmation from TCEQ ePay — a voucher number is required on the form.
- Responsible Official credentials under 30 TAC §122.165; only an officer, partner, or designated official may certify.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official Form PI-7-CERT lives on the TCEQ New Source Review Forms page. Always download the form fresh on the day you file, because TCEQ revises forms frequently, and an outdated revision will be rejected at intake. The current revision date is printed in the lower-left footer of every page; cross-check it against the forms index before you start typing.
You can also file electronically through STEERS ePermits, the agency’s online portal. STEERS is the preferred channel because it auto-validates the CN/RN, calculates fees, and timestamps your submission instantly. To use STEERS you first need an ePermits account with an Account Administrator and a signed Participation Agreement on file.
If you prefer paper, mail the original signed PI-7-CERT and one copy to the TCEQ Air Permits Division, MC-163, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711-3087. Paper filings carry a $25 surcharge and add roughly two weeks to processing. The form itself is a fillable PDF, so you can type entries directly and print only the signature page.
For PBRs that have their own dedicated registration forms — such as Form PI-7-RBLP for rock crushers or Form APD-CBP for concrete batch plants — use the rule-specific form instead of the generic PI-7-CERT. Using the wrong form will get the package returned without review.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form PI-7-CERT Line by Line
The PI-7-CERT is organized into sections covering applicant identity, site identity, project description, rule citation, emissions, and certification. Each section maps to a discrete review step inside TCEQ. Take them one at a time.
Section I, Box 1 — Customer Reference Number (CN)
This box asks for the 11-digit Customer Number that TCEQ uses to track the legal entity filing the registration. Type the full CN exactly as it appears in the Central Registry, including all leading zeros, with no dashes or spaces. Maria Lopez, environmental manager at West Texas Crude LLC, enters CN600123456 in Box 1.
If you have never registered with TCEQ, leave Box 1 blank and submit a Core Data Form (TCEQ-10400) with the PI-7; TCEQ will issue a CN as part of intake. The most common mistake is using a parent company’s CN when the operating subsidiary is the actual permittee, which forces a transfer filing later under §122.231. A common misconception is that the CN follows the site; it does not, it follows the legal entity, so a sale of the property does not move the CN.
Section I, Box 2 — Regulated Entity Number (RN)
This box identifies the physical location where the regulated activity happens. Enter the 11-digit RN from the Central Registry, formatted with no dashes. Carlos Mendez writes RN102987654 for the Permian Basin tank battery he is registering.
If the site is brand new, leave the box blank and attach the Core Data Form so TCEQ can mint a fresh RN. Filers often pull an RN from a neighboring lease or a previous owner, which links the new project to someone else’s compliance history and creates emission-inventory chaos. The misconception that an RN is “just a label” causes real harm: the RN drives where annual emission inventories under 30 TAC §101.10 post.
Section I, Box 3 — Company / Owner Legal Name
Write the full legal name of the entity that will own and operate the source, exactly as it appears with the Texas Secretary of State. Match every “LLC,” “Inc.,” or comma. Aisha Patel enters “Lone Star Auto Body Holdings, LLC” rather than the d/b/a “Lone Star Auto.”
If your entity is a sole proprietorship, use the individual’s legal name, not the business name. The mistake of using a d/b/a creates a CN/legal-name mismatch that triggers a Notice of Deficiency under 30 TAC §39.7. The misconception here is that capitalization or punctuation differences are minor; TCEQ’s database is case- and punctuation-sensitive.
Section I, Box 4 — Site Name and Physical Address
Provide the operational name of the site and a physical street address with city, county, and ZIP. Do not use a P.O. Box. Janet Reyes lists “Reyes Ready-Mix Plant #3, 2200 FM 1488, Magnolia, Montgomery County, TX 77354.”
For unmarked oil-and-gas leases, give the API number, lease name, and driving directions from the nearest highway. The frequent error is dropping the county, which is required by §106.6 for regional-office routing. Many filers wrongly believe the mailing address can substitute; it cannot, because TCEQ field inspectors must be able to drive there.
Section I, Box 5 — Latitude and Longitude
Enter coordinates in decimal degrees to at least four decimal places, taken at the centroid of the emission area or the primary stack. Marcus Webb enters 31.9686 N, 102.0779 W for his Midland-county tank battery.
Use a handheld GPS or the Texas Natural Resources Information System to verify. The classic mistake is converting degrees-minutes-seconds incorrectly, which can place the site miles away and trigger air-modeling rejection. The misconception is that “close enough” works; TCEQ’s modeling tools rely on exact coordinates for receptor calculations.
Section II, Box 6 — Project Description
Describe the project in plain English in 200 words or less, naming each piece of equipment and its purpose. Carlos writes: “Install one 400-bbl fixed-roof crude oil tank, two 200-bbl produced water tanks, one 1.5 MMBtu/hr line heater, and one VRU routing flash gas to a 98% DRE flare.”
Reviewers use this paragraph to confirm the project actually fits the cited rule, so vague entries like “add tanks” lead to a Notice of Deficiency. The biggest field-level error is omitting control devices, which then disappear from the emissions table. Filers often think the description is a formality; in fact, it is the legal scope of your registration and binds you to those specific units.
Section II, Box 7 — Cited PBR Rule(s)
List every PBR section you rely on, formatted as “30 TAC §106.XXX.” Aisha cites “30 TAC §106.433 (Surface Coating Facilities)” for her downdraft paint booth.
A single project may stack multiple PBRs (for example, §106.352 for the heater plus §106.472 for the tanks), and each must be listed. The mistake of citing the wrong subsection — for instance, §106.261 (de minimis) when emissions actually exceed the de minimis cap — voids the registration entirely. The misconception that a “general” PBR covers everything is dangerous; each PBR has narrow conditions, and missing one condition means no authorization.
Section II, Box 8 — Federal Applicability
Check the boxes for NSPS, NESHAP, PSD, Nonattainment NSR, and Title V that apply. Marcus checks NSPS Subpart OOOOb and NESHAP Subpart HH for his tank battery.
If your site is in an ozone nonattainment area like Houston-Galveston-Brazoria or Dallas-Fort Worth, NNSR thresholds are tighter, and PBR may not be available. Filers often check “none,” then later get caught in a federal audit; the consequence is an EPA Section 113 enforcement action with civil penalties up to $117,468 per day. The misconception that state PBR shields you from federal NSPS is wrong — federal rules apply independently.
Section III, Box 9 — Emissions Summary Table
Fill in a row for each Emission Point Number (EPN) showing pollutant, hourly rate (lb/hr), and annual rate (tpy) for VOC, NOx, CO, SO2, PM, PM10, PM2.5, and each HAP. Janet’s batch plant lists EPN-1 (silo vent): PM 0.21 lb/hr, 0.92 tpy after fabric filter.
Calculations must be attached, with AP-42 factor citations or vendor-guarantee data. The single most common reason a PI-7 is returned is missing or unsupported emissions math. The misconception that “controlled emissions” can be entered without listing the control device is a trap; TCEQ requires both uncontrolled and controlled values, plus the control efficiency and its basis.
Section IV, Box 10 — Fee Information
Enter the fee amount and the ePay voucher number. The standard PBR registration fee is $450 for most rules under §106.50. Carlos enters “$900” because he is stacking two PBRs (§106.352 + §106.472), each at $450.
Higher fees apply for larger sources: §106.352 oil-and-gas registrations can run $900–$2,500 depending on emissions tier, and concrete batch plants under §106.201 use a separate fee schedule. Underpaying triggers an automatic return; overpaying is refunded only on written request. The misconception that the fee is per-site rather than per-rule causes most underpayments.
Section V, Box 11 — Responsible Official Certification
The certifying official must sign in blue or black ink (paper) or use a STEERS electronic signature. Maria Lopez, Vice President of Operations, signs and dates 05/28/2026.
Only a corporate officer, general partner, sole proprietor, or duly designated representative under §122.165 may sign. A signature by an unauthorized person voids the certification, and TCEQ will treat the project as unpermitted construction. The misconception that a consultant or attorney can sign on the company’s behalf is a frequent and costly error.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1 — Carlos at West Texas Crude LLC (Oil & Gas Tank Battery)
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — CN | CN600123456 |
| Box 2 — RN | RN102987654 |
| Box 3 — Legal Name | West Texas Crude LLC |
| Box 4 — Site | Sandhill 12-H Battery, Section 14, Block 39, Midland County, TX |
| Box 5 — Lat/Long | 31.9686 N, 102.0779 W |
| Box 7 — PBR | 30 TAC §106.352 and §106.472 |
| Box 8 — Federal | NSPS OOOOb; NESHAP HH |
| Box 9 — Emissions | VOC 24.8 tpy; HAP 8.7 tpy after VRU + flare |
| Box 10 — Fee | $900 via ePay voucher 2026-44218 |
| Box 11 — Signature | Maria Lopez, VP Operations, 05/28/2026 |
Scenario 2 — Aisha at Lone Star Auto Body (Surface Coating)
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — CN | CN601445221 |
| Box 2 — RN | RN105776320 |
| Box 3 — Legal Name | Lone Star Auto Body Holdings, LLC |
| Box 4 — Site | Lone Star Auto, 4410 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, Dallas County, TX 75219 |
| Box 5 — Lat/Long | 32.8121 N, 96.8407 W |
| Box 7 — PBR | 30 TAC §106.433 (Surface Coating Facilities) |
| Box 8 — Federal | NESHAP 6H (Auto Body Refinishing) |
| Box 9 — Emissions | VOC 4.2 tpy; HAP 0.9 tpy with HVLP guns and dry filters |
| Box 10 — Fee | $450 via ePay voucher 2026-44219 |
| Box 11 — Signature | Aisha Patel, Managing Member, 05/28/2026 |
Scenario 3 — Janet at Reyes Ready-Mix (Concrete Batch Plant)
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — CN | CN602338901 |
| Box 2 — RN | RN108221117 |
| Box 3 — Legal Name | Reyes Ready-Mix, Inc. |
| Box 4 — Site | Plant #3, 2200 FM 1488, Magnolia, Montgomery County, TX 77354 |
| Box 5 — Lat/Long | 30.2104 N, 95.7560 W |
| Box 7 — PBR | 30 TAC §106.201 (Temporary Concrete Batch Plants) |
| Box 8 — Federal | NSPS OOO |
| Box 9 — Emissions | PM 1.4 tpy; PM10 0.6 tpy with fabric filters and water sprays |
| Box 10 — Fee | $900 via ePay voucher 2026-44220 |
| Box 11 — Signature | Janet Reyes, President, 05/28/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
The fastest channel is STEERS ePermits, where you upload the PI-7-CERT, the Core Data Form, the plot plan, the process flow diagram, and the emissions calculations as separate PDFs. Fees are paid inside the workflow through TCEQ ePay using ACH, credit card, or electronic check. STEERS issues a confirmation number immediately, which serves as your proof of filing; processing typically takes 45 days for routine PBRs and up to 90 days for §106.352 oil-and-gas filings.
Paper filings go to the TCEQ Air Permits Division, MC-163, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711-3087, with a check or money order payable to “TCEQ” or a printed ePay receipt. Add the $25 paper surcharge and expect 60–120 days of review. Send the package via certified mail with return receipt; the green card is your only proof of timely filing.
In-person delivery is allowed at TCEQ Headquarters at 12100 Park 35 Circle, Building F, Austin, TX 78753, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The clerk will date-stamp your receipt copy. Fax is no longer accepted for new PBR registrations as of the 2024 forms revision.
For renewals every ten years under §106.6(d), use the same PI-7-CERT marked “Renewal” and pay the same fee. Missing a renewal deadline turns the project into unpermitted construction overnight, so calendar the date as soon as you receive the original approval letter.
What Happens After You File
TCEQ intake staff first run an administrative completeness check against 30 TAC §39.7; if anything is missing, you receive a Notice of Deficiency (NOD) with a 30-day cure window. Cure failures cause the registration to be voided and the fee forfeited.
A technical reviewer in the Air Permits Division then evaluates emission calculations, control assumptions, and rule applicability. The reviewer may issue technical NODs requesting additional modeling under §106.4(a)(1) or proof that off-property impacts are below Effects Screening Levels. Respond within 30 days or the file closes.
When TCEQ approves the registration, you receive a confirmation letter with a registration number that begins with “Reg.” Keep that letter on-site and produce it on demand for inspectors under 30 TAC §122.144. You may begin construction only after the date on that letter, even if you filed weeks earlier.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Filing under the wrong rule citation, which voids the registration and exposes you to enforcement under §382.085.
- Skipping the Core Data Form, which guarantees a Notice of Deficiency and a 30-day delay.
- Using a P.O. Box in Box 4, which prevents inspector dispatch and triggers immediate return.
- Listing controlled emissions without identifying the control device, which makes the emissions table unverifiable.
- Forgetting to include a HAP that is also a federal NESHAP pollutant, which triggers parallel EPA enforcement.
- Underpaying the fee when stacking multiple PBRs, which freezes the file at intake until corrected.
- Letting an unauthorized employee sign Box 11, which voids the certification and the entire registration.
- Building before the approval letter date, which is unpermitted construction punishable by daily penalties.
- Mixing up CN and RN, which scrambles the Central Registry linkage and creates compliance-history confusion.
- Submitting outdated form revisions, which TCEQ will reject without review even if every entry is correct.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do download a fresh copy of Form PI-7-CERT the day you file, because revisions happen quietly.
- Do read the cited PBR rule end-to-end before signing, because every condition binds you for ten years.
- Do attach AP-42 emission factor printouts, because reviewers cannot verify math without sources.
- Do keep the approval letter on site, because inspectors will ask within minutes of arriving.
- Do file via STEERS, because electronic filings clear intake the same day.
- Do track the ten-year renewal date in two systems, because a missed renewal is treated as new construction.
- Don’t rely on a parent company’s CN, because the operator must file under its own legal entity.
- Don’t copy a previous filing’s emission numbers, because equipment counts and control devices change.
- Don’t assume PBR shields you from federal NSPS or NESHAP, because federal rules apply on top.
- Don’t sign for a client unless you are the Responsible Official, because consultants cannot certify.
- Don’t mail without certified return receipt, because lost paper filings are common at headquarters.
- Don’t start construction on the filing date, because construction must wait for the approval letter.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
- Pro (DIY): No consultant fee, which can save $3,000–$15,000 for a simple PBR.
- Pro (DIY): Builds in-house knowledge of Chapter 106, which pays off on every future filing.
- Pro (DIY): Faster internal turnaround when small project changes pop up.
- Pro (DIY): Direct relationship with TCEQ reviewers on technical questions.
- Pro (DIY): Full control of how emissions assumptions are documented.
- Con (DIY): High risk of NODs from missed conditions in the cited rule.
- Con (DIY): Emissions math errors can void the registration and trigger enforcement.
- Con (DIY): Federal applicability analysis is technical and easy to miss.
- Pro (Consultant): Air consultants often pre-clear projects with TCEQ regional staff, smoothing review.
- Pro (Consultant): Errors-and-omissions insurance covers technical mistakes.
- Con (Consultant): Fees plus modeling costs can exceed the project budget for small sources.
- Con (Consultant): The Responsible Official still signs, so the company carries the legal risk.
PBR vs. Standard Permit at a Glance
| Feature | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Authority | PBR under Chapter 106; Standard Permit under Chapter 116, Subchapter F |
| Form | PI-7-CERT for PBR; PI-1S for Standard Permit |
| Fee | $450 baseline for PBR; $900+ for Standard Permit |
| Public Notice | Generally not required for PBR; required for many Standard Permits |
| Review Time | 45–90 days for PBR; 6–12 months for Standard Permit |
| Best Fit | Small or low-emission projects fitting a specific rule |
| Renewal | Every 10 years under §106.6(d); varies for Standard Permits |
| Modification | New PI-7 for any change in scope; amendments for Standard Permits |
FAQs
Do I need to file a PI-7-CERT for every PBR?
No. Recordkeeping-only PBRs under §106.4 require no registration, only on-site records; check the specific rule text to confirm.
Can I start construction the day I submit the form?
No. Construction may start only on or after the date printed on the TCEQ approval letter; building earlier is unpermitted construction under §382.085.
Is the $450 fee per project or per rule cited?
No. The fee is per rule cited; stacking §106.352 and §106.472 means paying $450 twice, totaling $900 under §106.50.
Do I write my CN or RN in Box 1?
Yes. Box 1 takes the Customer Number (CN) for the legal entity; the Regulated Entity Number (RN) for the physical site goes in Box 2.
Does Box 4 accept a P.O. Box?
No. Box 4 must show a physical street address with city and county, because TCEQ inspectors must be able to drive to the site.
Should I list uncontrolled or controlled emissions in Box 9?
Yes. List both uncontrolled and controlled values, plus the control efficiency and its basis, so reviewers can verify the math.
Can my consultant sign Box 11 for me?
No. Only a Responsible Official under §122.165 — an officer, partner, or duly designated representative — may certify the registration.
Does PBR cover federal NSPS or NESHAP rules?
No. PBR is state authorization only; federal rules at 40 CFR 60 and 40 CFR 63 apply independently and carry their own penalties.
How long does PBR review take?
Yes, expect roughly 45 days for routine PBRs and up to 90 days for §106.352 oil-and-gas filings; paper filings add another two to four weeks.
Do I need to renew my PBR registration?
Yes. Most PBRs require renewal every ten years under §106.6(d); the renewal uses the same PI-7-CERT marked “Renewal.”
Can I file by fax?
No. TCEQ stopped accepting faxed PBR filings; use STEERS or certified mail to the Air Permits Division at MC-163.
Do I need a public notice for a PBR?
No. Public notice is generally not required for PBRs, although a few rules in nonattainment areas trigger limited notice; confirm in the rule text and in RG-518.
What if I list the wrong PBR in Box 7?
No, you cannot fix it after construction begins; an incorrect citation voids authorization, and you must refile and pause construction until a new approval letter issues.
Are emissions calculations required as an attachment?
Yes. Every pollutant in Box 9 must be backed by a calculation sheet citing AP-42, vendor data, or stack tests; missing math is the top return reason at TCEQ intake.
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