The Texas Brownfield Voluntary Cleanup application is TCEQ Form 10241, the form a property owner, developer, lender, or future buyer files with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to enroll a contaminated site in the Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) and earn a Certificate of Completion that releases non-responsible parties from state cleanup liability. You file it under §361.604 of the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act, and you must attach a CORE Data Form (TCEQ-10400) and a $1,000 deposit.
This guide walks you through the current version, Form TCEQ-10241 (Revised 10/07), page by page. A small mistake on this form, like a blank eligibility box or a missing CORE Data Form, can get your whole package rejected and stall a real estate deal for months. Through August 2024, the VCP had received more than 3,300 applications and issued more than 2,800 certificates of completion, so the path is well worn, and getting the form right is the first step.
- 🗂️ How to complete every box on TCEQ Form 10241, from Site Name to the Applicant signatures.
- 💵 How to attach the $1,000 deposit and the CORE Data Form so your package is not rejected.
- 🧭 How to answer the eligibility questions that decide whether your site even qualifies.
- 🏗️ Three real filing scenarios for a developer, a city, and a current owner.
- ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that trigger a 45-day rejection and how to dodge them.
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
TCEQ Form 10241 is the official entry document for the Texas Voluntary Cleanup Program, a brownfields program that gives administrative, technical, and legal incentives to clean up sites burdened by real or perceived contamination. The form tells the TCEQ who you are, where the site is, what is in the soil and groundwater, and what cleanup standard you intend to meet. Once you finish the cleanup, the TCEQ issues a Certificate of Completion that releases all non-responsible parties, including future owners and lenders, from liability to the state.
You file this form if you own, plan to buy, plan to lease, or plan to lend against a site that may be contaminated. The most common filers are developers buying old gas stations, dry cleaners, or industrial parcels, plus cities that want to redevelop blighted land. The key rule is in the Solid Waste Disposal Act: a person who is not a responsible party at the time they apply qualifies for the liability protection under §361.610(b). A buyer who wants that shield should become an applicant before they close on the property.
The agency that receives the form is the TCEQ. The statute that requires it is the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act, Health and Safety Code Chapter 361. The rules that govern it are 30 Texas Administrative Code §333 and the Texas Risk Reduction Program at 30 TAC §350. A site that sits under a TCEQ cleanup permit or administrative order is not eligible, so the form exists in part to confirm your site is clear to enter.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every item below before you open the form. The TCEQ will reject an application that is “incomplete, outdated or inaccurate,” and a rejection costs you weeks and half your deposit if you do not resubmit in time. Here is your pre-filing checklist.
- A completed CORE Data Form (TCEQ-10400) for Applicant A. Without it, the agency cannot enter your site into its Central Registry or set up billing, and the application will not be processed.
- A $1,000 deposit check payable to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. A check that bounces makes the application incomplete and gets it rejected.
- A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. The form assumes at least a Phase I has been done; without it you cannot describe the nature and extent of contamination the statute requires.
- A legal property description. You need a lot-and-block description (or metes and bounds for a partial response area) so the Certificate of Completion covers the right land.
- A scaled site map. It must show property lines, buildings, source areas, tanks, wells, and adjacent uses, or the project manager cannot verify the site.
- Latitude and longitude of the site with the method used (GPS, map interpolation, or DOQQ), because the box must show how you found the coordinates.
- All state and federal ID numbers (solid waste registration, leaking petroleum storage tank, CERCLIS, RCRIS, UIC), since leaving them out can look like you hid prior regulatory contact.
- Names, addresses, and Customer Reference (CN) numbers for every applicant, the current owner, and any consultant or attorney, so the agency can route correspondence and billing correctly.
- A signed VCP Agreement (TCEQ-10242), if ready. Submitting it with the application lets the project manager start work sooner.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You download Form 10241 free from the TCEQ Voluntary Cleanup Program page, which links to the fillable PDF and the instructions. The same page hosts the CORE Data Form (TCEQ-10400), the VCP Agreement Form (TCEQ-10242), and the EPA–TCEQ Memorandum of Agreement that defines federal and state roles.
Confirm you have the current version before you type anything. The footer of every page should read Form TCEQ-10241 Revised 10/07. If your copy shows a different revision, you may be working from an outdated form, and the agency can reject it for being outdated.
The form is 16 pages. Pages 1 through 7 are instructions, and the actual blanks you fill in run from page 8 to page 16. You may complete it on screen or print and fill it by hand in black ink. If you have questions while filling it out, the TCEQ Voluntary Cleanup Section answers at 512-239-5891.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out TCEQ Form 10241 Line by Line
The boxes begin on page 8. Work top to bottom and do not skip a section, even one that looks optional, because the form warns that some sections “must not be left blank.”
General Site Information: Site Name
What it asks in plain English. This is the common name of the property the TCEQ will use in its files and on the final certificate.
How to answer it. Write the name people use for the site, often the street address, the old business name, or a project name. Keep it short and consistent with the name you use on every other form.
A specific example. Carlos Mendez, a developer, writes “Former Speedy Gas, 1420 Lamar Blvd, Austin” in the Site Name box.
A nuance or edge case. If the site once held a well-known business that caused the contamination, use that name so the agency can match it to old records, even if you renamed the project.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filers use a brand-new marketing name that matches nothing in TCEQ records, which slows the project manager’s review while they hunt for the prior history.
A misconception. People think the Site Name locks in the legal property description. It does not; the legal description in the Environmental Assessment defines the land, and the Site Name is only a label.
General Site Information: Site Size (acres)
What it asks in plain English. The total area of the property you want covered, measured in acres.
How to answer it. Enter the acreage from your deed, survey, or appraisal district record. Use decimals, not fractions.
A specific example. Carlos writes “1.15 acres” because the deed for the old gas station lists that area.
A nuance or edge case. If you only want a certificate for part of the tract, this is a partial response action area (PRAA), and a registered surveyor’s metes and bounds description is required for that portion.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filers estimate the acreage instead of pulling it from the deed, and a number that does not match the legal description forces the project manager to send the package back.
A misconception. People assume a larger acreage means more cost. The deposit is fixed at $1,000; acreage drives oversight hours, not the application fee.
General Site Information: Regulated Entity Reference No. (RN)
What it asks in plain English. The RN is the number the TCEQ assigns to the physical site, separate from the number it assigns to you.
How to answer it. Write the eight digits after “RN-” if the site already has one. If it has never been registered, leave it blank and the agency will create one.
A specific example. Carlos leaves the RN blank because the gas station was never entered in the Central Registry.
A nuance or edge case. A site that previously held a petroleum storage tank often already has an RN; search the TCEQ Central Registry first so you do not create a duplicate.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filers confuse the RN (the site) with the CN (the customer) and swap them, which links your application to the wrong record.
A misconception. People think they must invent an RN. The field says “if issued,” so a blank is correct when none exists.
Applicant(s): Applicant A
What it asks in plain English. Applicant A is the lead party, the one seeking the Certificate of Completion and, by default, paying all TCEQ oversight costs.
How to answer it. Fill in Applicant (the legal name of the person or company), Contact Person, Title, Customer Reference No. (CN), Organization, Address, City/State/Zip, Phone, Fax, and Interest in Property. Then check Yes or No for receiving copies of TCEQ correspondence.
A specific example. Carlos enters “Mendez Development LLC” as the Applicant, “Carlos Mendez” as the Contact Person, “Managing Member” as the Title, and checks “Yes” to receive correspondence.
A nuance or edge case. If a buyer wants the liability shield, they should be listed as an applicant before closing; adding a buyer later requires a brand-new application, agreement, fee, and CORE Data Form.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filers put an individual’s name when the deed holder is an LLC, creating a mismatch the agency must resolve before it can issue a valid certificate.
A misconception. People believe Applicant A always has to be the current owner. A future owner, lessee, operator, or lender can be Applicant A as long as they are not a responsible party.
Applicant(s): Applicant B and Applicant C
What it asks in plain English. These are co-applicants who also want the certificate’s protection.
How to answer it. Complete the same fields as Applicant A for each additional party. If you have more than three, use the “Additional Applicants” form on the last page for Applicants E and F.
A specific example. A bank financing the deal, “Lone Star Community Bank,” is listed as Applicant B so the lender is also released from state liability.
A nuance or edge case. Lenders often join as co-applicants to protect their collateral; each co-applicant signs the Intent to Participate and the Applicant’s Signatures block.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filers list a co-applicant here but forget to capture that party’s signature on page 15, leaving the application unsigned for that applicant and incomplete.
A misconception. People think co-applicants split the bill automatically. By default Applicant A pays unless the Billing Information section names someone else.
Current Site Owner (if different from an applicant)
What it asks in plain English. If the person who owns the land today is not already listed as an applicant, the agency needs that owner’s contact details.
How to answer it. Enter the Owner(s), Contact Person, Title, CN, Organization, Phone, Fax, and City/State/Zip for the current owner.
A specific example. Carlos has not yet closed, so he lists the seller, “Old Lamar Holdings Inc.,” as the Current Site Owner.
A nuance or edge case. The certificate’s legal description must match the owner of record under Texas Health and Safety Code §361.609(b), so the owner name here should match the deed exactly.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filers leave this blank when the applicant is a future buyer, and the agency cannot confirm who controls access to the land for cleanup work.
A misconception. People think naming the current owner makes that owner liable. Listing them here is informational; it does not enroll them or assign them cleanup duties.
Other Contacts (Consultant/Attorney)
What it asks in plain English. This captures the consultant or lawyer who can speak about the site or make cleanup decisions.
How to answer it. Enter Name(s), Title, CN, Organization, Phone, Fax, and full Address for up to two contacts.
A specific example. Carlos lists his environmental consultant, “Brazos Environmental, Inc., attn. Dana Reyes, P.G.,” so the project manager has a technical point of contact.
A nuance or edge case. Name the person with the deepest site knowledge, usually the geologist who wrote the Phase I, not just the firm’s front desk.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filers omit the consultant, so technical questions route to the applicant, who then has to relay them, slowing every back-and-forth.
A misconception. People think the consultant listed here receives official correspondence. Only parties who check “Yes” in the correspondence box or are named in the agreement get copies.
Billing Information
What it asks in plain English. If someone other than Applicant A should get the invoices, this section names them and records their consent.
How to answer it. Enter the billing party’s Name, Title, CN, Organization, Phone, Fax, and Address, then have that party sign the Signature of Consent line and date it.
A specific example. The seller agrees to pay oversight during the option period, so “Old Lamar Holdings Inc.” signs the Signature of Consent line.
A nuance or edge case. Changing the billing party after the VCP Agreement is signed requires a new application and a new $1,000 fee, so settle this before you file.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filers name a billing party but skip the consent signature, which voids the billing redirect and pushes all costs back to Applicant A.
A misconception. People think leaving this blank delays the project. A blank is fine; it simply means Applicant A pays.
Current Property Use
What it asks in plain English. How the land is used now, and whether a sale is about to close.
How to answer it. Enter a percentage next to Residential, Non-residential, and Other if the site mixes uses; if non-residential, write the type of business. Then answer whether a real estate transaction is imminent, and if yes, give the planned closing date.
A specific example. Carlos checks Non-residential at 100%, writes “former retail gasoline station,” marks the transaction imminent, and enters “08/15/2026” as the closing date.
A nuance or edge case. A “Yes” on the imminent-transaction line signals the agency to prioritize timing, which helps if your loan or purchase depends on the VCP.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filers leave the closing date blank after checking “Yes,” so the agency cannot gauge urgency and treats the file as routine.
A misconception. People think residential use disqualifies them. Residential sites are eligible; the use only affects which cleanup standard applies later.
Latitude/Longitude
What it asks in plain English. The exact coordinates of the site and how you measured them.
How to answer it. Enter Latitude (N) and Longitude (W) in degrees-minutes-seconds or decimal degrees, the Date of collection, the Organization that collected it, and check the method: GPS Real Time, GPS Post Processed, Map Interpolation (Manual or Digital), or DOQQ. Then mark whether the point is the center, the main entrance, or other.
A specific example. Carlos enters “30.2672 N, 97.7431 W,” dates it, names “Brazos Environmental,” checks “Map Interpolation – Digital,” and marks “Center of the property.”
A nuance or edge case. If you used GPS, you must state the unit’s brand, model, and accuracy; if you used a map, you must name the USGS quad or DOQQ used.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filers check a method but skip the required detail (brand or quad name), and the coordinates cannot be verified, prompting a request for more information.
A misconception. People think rough coordinates are fine. The agency cross-checks the point against the legal description, so a sloppy point can flag the file for review.
VCP Eligibility and Involvement with Other Regulatory Programs
What it asks in plain English. A set of yes/no questions that decide whether your site can even enter the VCP.
How to answer it. Answer each: Is the site under a TCEQ permit or administrative order? Were response actions started on or after April 19, 1996 without a VCP agreement? Has a Notice of Violation been issued? Has there been any prior contact with state or federal agencies? If “Yes” to prior contact, describe it fully and attach sheets. Also answer the PST reimbursement question and list every state and federal ID number.
A specific example. Carlos checks “No” to the permit/order question, “No” to a Notice of Violation, and “Yes” to prior contact, then describes a 2019 TCEQ tank closure with dates and names.
A nuance or edge case. A “Yes” to the TCEQ permit/order question is disqualifying, because a site under a cleanup permit or order cannot enter the VCP; wastewater and air permits do not count.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filers leave the prior-contact description blank, but the form says this section “must not be left blank,” so a blank gets the application rejected.
A misconception. People think admitting prior agency contact hurts them. Hiding it is far worse; undisclosed enforcement found later can void eligibility and the certificate.
Contaminated Media and Contaminants Present
What it asks in plain English. What pollutants are in the site and which media (soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment) they have reached.
How to answer it. Answer whether contaminants have been detected on-site, then check each box in the grid that crosses a Contaminant Category (VOCs, SVOCs, Heavy Metals, Chlorinated Solvents, Pesticides, TPH, PCBs, Other) with the affected media. Describe the starred categories below the grid.
A specific example. Carlos checks TPH in Soil and Groundwater and Heavy Metals (lead) in Soil, then writes “benzene and lead from former USTs” in the description line.
A nuance or edge case. If contaminants exceed residential drinking-water levels in groundwater, you must also submit a Drinking Water Survey Report with the application.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filers check “Other” without describing it, leaving the agency unable to scope the cleanup and triggering a request for more information.
A misconception. People think guessing at contaminants is acceptable this early. Your entries should track the Phase I or Phase II data, not speculation, because false entries can be deemed inaccurate.
Applicant’s Intended Response Action Objectives (Cleanup Levels)
What it asks in plain English. The cleanup standard you plan to meet, or a note that you do not know yet.
How to answer it. Check “Not known at this time” if undecided, or pick a Texas Risk Reduction Program option (Remedy Standard A or B, Tier 1, 2, or 3, self-implemented or not), or a PST Rules option under 30 TAC §334.
A specific example. Carlos checks “Self-Implemented Cleanup to Remedy Standard A, Tier 1” because he plans to dig out and haul off the impacted soil.
A nuance or edge case. You are not required to decide this early; checking “Not known at this time” is fully acceptable and lets the VCP guide you before the agreement.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filers pick a standard they do not understand, then change it later, which can force a re-scoping of the agreement and added oversight cost.
A misconception. People think the standard chosen here is binding. It is a starting intent; the binding standard is set in the VCP Agreement.
Federal Brownfields Tax Deduction and State Property Tax Abatements
What it asks in plain English. Whether you want federal tax-deduction certification or a local property tax abatement tied to the certificate.
How to answer it. Answer Yes or No to the federal Taxpayer Relief Act deduction, and Yes or No to a Section 312.211 Texas Tax Code abatement. If yes to the federal item, attach the Brownfields Tax Deduction Pre-Certification Form.
A specific example. Carlos checks “No” to the federal deduction because its eligible window closed in 2004, and “Yes” to the state abatement because his site sits in a reinvestment zone.
A nuance or edge case. The state abatement requires the owner to have signed a VCP Agreement before signing with the municipality, and it cannot exceed four years.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filers check “Yes” to the federal deduction without realizing the program’s eligible period expired, which wastes review time on a dead option.
A misconception. People think the TCEQ grants the tax abatement. The municipality grants it; the TCEQ only issues the certificate that makes the property eligible.
Environmental Assessment (Required Attachment)
What it asks in plain English. This confirms you have attached an assessment covering five required topics.
How to answer it. Attach a Phase I (or more) that includes: a legal description with a scaled site map, the site’s physical characteristics, its operational history, the nature and extent of contamination, and the potential for human and environmental exposure.
A specific example. Carlos attaches a 2025 Phase I with a surveyed plat, a site map showing the old tank pits, and a summary of the station’s 1978–2019 operations.
A nuance or edge case. For a partial response action area, the legal description must be a metes and bounds survey by a registered professional surveyor, not just lot and block.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filers attach a map with no scale or no surveyor’s stamp, so the project manager cannot tie the physical address to the legal description and returns the package.
A misconception. People think a Phase II is required to apply. The form only assumes a Phase I at minimum; a Phase II comes later if the data are not yet adequate.
Intent to Participate and Correctness of Information
What it asks in plain English. This is the promise to negotiate a cleanup agreement in good faith and the sworn statement that everything you wrote is true.
How to answer it. Read the Intent to Participate paragraph, which affirms your financial capability to perform the cleanup, then complete the Correctness of Information statement.
A specific example. Carlos reads the Intent to Participate, confirms Mendez Development LLC can fund the dig-and-haul, and prepares to sign.
A nuance or edge case. Signing the Intent to Participate does not admit liability and does not bind you to the cleanup until the separate VCP Agreement is executed; you may terminate at any time.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filers treat this as the cleanup contract and hesitate to sign, delaying the file; it is only an intent, and the real obligations live in the agreement.
A misconception. People think signing locks them into paying for an unlimited cleanup. You can withdraw in writing at any time before the agreement is signed.
Applicant’s Signatures and Deposit of Oversight Costs
What it asks in plain English. Each applicant signs, and you attach the $1,000 deposit.
How to answer it. For each applicant (A, B, C, D, and E/F on the additional sheet) provide the By (signature), Date, Company, printed Name, Title, and Phone. Attach a company or personal check for $1,000 payable to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
A specific example. Carlos signs as Applicant A, prints “Carlos Mendez,” writes “Managing Member,” dates it 06/03/2026, and clips a $1,000 company check to the front.
A nuance or edge case. Cash is not accepted, and a check that bounces makes the application incomplete and triggers rejection.
A common mistake and its consequence. A co-applicant listed on page 8 fails to sign here, so the application is unsigned for that party and the agency cannot release them from liability.
A misconception. People think the $1,000 is a flat fee. It is a deposit against oversight billed at $80 per hour, and you receive invoices once it is used up.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three filers show how the same form looks for very different projects.
Scenario 1 — Carlos Mendez, developer buying a former gas station
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Site Name | Former Speedy Gas, 1420 Lamar Blvd, Austin |
| Site Size (acres) | 1.15 acres |
| Applicant A | Mendez Development LLC, Carlos Mendez, Managing Member |
| Current Site Owner | Old Lamar Holdings Inc. (seller, not yet closed) |
| Current Property Use | Non-residential, 100%, former retail gasoline station |
| Real estate transaction imminent? | Yes, planned closing 08/15/2026 |
| Contaminated Media | TPH in soil and groundwater; lead in soil |
| Intended Response Action | Self-Implemented, Remedy Standard A, Tier 1 |
| Deposit | $1,000 company check attached |
Scenario 2 — City of Brennan, redeveloping an old dry cleaner
| Form Section | What the City Enters |
|---|---|
| Site Name | Former Crystal Cleaners, 200 Main St, Brennan |
| Site Size (acres) | 0.45 acres |
| Applicant A | City of Brennan, Janet Okafor, City Manager |
| Current Site Owner | City of Brennan (acquired by tax foreclosure) |
| Current Property Use | Non-residential, vacant former dry cleaner |
| Eligibility: prior contact? | Yes, describes 2016 TCEQ dry-cleaner registration |
| Contaminated Media | Chlorinated Solvents (PCE) in soil and groundwater |
| Intended Response Action | Not known at this time |
| State Tax Abatement interest? | No (city already owns the land) |
Scenario 3 — Aisha Rahman, current owner of a small industrial parcel
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Site Name | Rahman Machine Works, 88 Industrial Row, Tyler |
| Site Size (acres) | 2.30 acres |
| Applicant A | Aisha Rahman (individual owner) |
| Current Site Owner | Same as Applicant A |
| Other Contacts | Pine Belt Environmental, attn. Mark Lee, P.G. |
| Eligibility: under TCEQ order? | No |
| Contaminated Media | Heavy Metals and SVOCs in soil |
| Intended Response Action | Cleanup to Remedy Standard B, Tier 1 |
| Receive TCEQ correspondence? | Yes |
How to File the Completed Form
You file the full package by mail or in person, not directly with the VCP staff. The form is explicit: send everything to the Cashier, because sending it straight to the VCP only delays processing.
- By regular mail: Attention: Cashier, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, MC-214, P.O. Box 13088, Austin, Texas 78711-3088. Include the signed form, the CORE Data Form, the environmental assessment, and the $1,000 check.
- By overnight or express: Attention: Cashier, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, MC-214, 12100 Park 35 Circle, Austin, Texas 78753.
- Copies required: Provide one paper copy and one identical electronic copy on USB or disc; the TCEQ asks that the hard and electronic copies be complete and identical.
- Payment: Pay the $1,000 by company or personal check payable to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; cash is not accepted.
- Proof of filing: Keep a copy of the full package, your check number, and a tracking receipt; if you send by courier, the delivery confirmation is your proof of the filing date.
Attach a Correspondence ID Form (TCEQ-20428) as a cover page, since the Remediation Division asks for it on all submittals. There is no online portal for the VCP application itself, so plan to mail the paper plus the electronic copy together.
What Happens After You File
The TCEQ processes applications in the order received and must give you written notice of acceptance or rejection within 45 days, under §361.604(d) and 30 TAC §333.4. If the file is complete and the site is eligible, the agency assigns a project manager and a VCP ID number.
If the application is rejected as incomplete or inaccurate, the notice lists what is missing, and you get 45 days to resubmit without paying another fee. Miss that window, or get rejected because the site is ineligible, and the agency refunds only half of the deposit, $500, under §361.605(c).
After acceptance, you sign the VCP Agreement (TCEQ-10242) at the time of application or within 30 days of acceptance. The agreement sets your submittal schedule and confirms you will pay oversight at $80 per hour drawn against your deposit. When the cleanup meets the chosen standard, the TCEQ issues the Certificate of Completion that releases non-responsible parties from state liability.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Forgetting the CORE Data Form for Applicant A. The application cannot be processed and sits in limbo until you send it.
- Sending a check that bounces or sending cash. The application is declared incomplete and rejected.
- Leaving the prior-contact description blank. The form says this section must not be left blank, so a blank triggers rejection.
- Answering “Yes” to the TCEQ permit or order question. A site under a cleanup permit or order is ineligible and cannot enter the VCP.
- Mailing the package straight to the VCP instead of the Cashier. This only delays processing.
- Listing an applicant on page 8 but missing their signature on page 15. That applicant stays unsigned and unprotected.
- Using a Site Name that matches nothing in TCEQ records. The project manager loses time matching old history.
- Attaching a site map with no scale or no surveyor stamp. The agency cannot verify the legal description and returns the file.
- Checking a coordinate method without the required brand or quad detail. The coordinates cannot be verified.
- Estimating acreage instead of pulling it from the deed. A mismatch with the legal description bounces the package.
- Adding a buyer as a co-applicant after closing. It is too late for that buyer’s full protection and requires a new application and fee.
- Owing delinquent TCEQ fees or penalties. Since September 1, 2006, the agency will not declare the application complete until they are paid.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do attach the CORE Data Form and the $1,000 check on top, because the package is dead without them.
- Do search the Central Registry for an existing RN, so you avoid creating a duplicate site record.
- Do become an applicant before you close, since the liability shield protects non-responsible parties at the time of application.
- Do disclose every prior agency contact, because undisclosed enforcement can void your eligibility later.
- Do keep an identical electronic and paper copy, as the agency requires both to match.
- Do answer every yes/no eligibility box, since blanks are treated as incomplete.
Don’t:
- Don’t send the package directly to the VCP, because only the Cashier intake keeps it on schedule.
- Don’t guess at contaminants, since entries should track your Phase I or Phase II data.
- Don’t skip a co-applicant’s signature, because each applicant must sign to be released.
- Don’t pay in cash, as only checks are accepted.
- Don’t use a marketing name unrelated to the site’s history, since it slows the match to old records.
- Don’t assume the $1,000 is the total cost, because oversight is billed hourly beyond the deposit.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing Pro Se (On Your Own) | Filing With a Consultant or Attorney |
|---|---|
| Cheaper up front, since you save professional fees | Costs more, but the helper knows the eligibility traps |
| You control timing and every entry directly | A pro often turns the package around faster and cleaner |
| Fine for a simple site with a clean Phase I | Better for complex sites with groundwater or solvents |
| Higher risk of a blank box that triggers rejection | Lower rejection risk, because pros pre-check every field |
| You must read 16 pages and the statute yourself | The consultant interprets §361.604 and the TRRP rules for you |
| Works when no real estate deadline is pressing | Worth it when a closing date depends on a fast acceptance |
FAQs
Do I write the current owner’s name even if a buyer is the applicant?
Yes. If the current owner is not an applicant, you must complete the Current Site Owner section so the agency knows who controls the land and can match the deed.
Do I need to attach the CORE Data Form with the application?
Yes. You must attach a completed CORE Data Form (TCEQ-10400) for Applicant A, or the TCEQ cannot process your application in a timely manner.
Do I have to fill in the Regulated Entity Reference (RN) number?
No. Leave the RN blank if the site has never been registered; the field says “if issued,” and the agency will assign one.
Do I check “Yes” on the TCEQ permit question if the site has an air permit?
No. Air and wastewater permits do not count; the question targets only permits that address site cleanup, and a “Yes” there makes the site ineligible.
Do I have to choose a cleanup standard on the application?
No. You may check “Not known at this time” and ask the VCP for guidance before signing the agreement; the standard is not required this early.
Do I have to leave the prior-contact box blank if there was no contact?
No. Check “No,” because the form states this section must not be left blank.
Do I pay the $1,000 by credit card or online?
No. Pay by company or personal check payable to the TCEQ; cash and online payment are not accepted for this application.
Do all co-applicants need to sign the form?
Yes. Each applicant (A through F) must provide a signature, date, company, printed name, title, and phone, or that party is not released from liability.
Do I get my money back if the application is rejected?
Yes. If the site is ineligible or you do not resubmit in time, the TCEQ refunds half, $500, under §361.605(c).
Do I need a surveyed metes and bounds description for the whole site?
No. A lot-and-block description works for a full site; metes and bounds by a registered surveyor is required only for a partial response action area.
Do I have to send the package to the VCP office directly?
No. Send it to the Cashier at MC-214; mailing it straight to the VCP only delays processing.
Do I file a Drinking Water Survey Report with the application?
Yes. You file it when groundwater contaminants exceed residential drinking-water standards, or whenever the TCEQ requests it.
Do I become protected from liability just by applying?
No. Protection comes with the Certificate of Completion after cleanup; applying as a non-responsible party only preserves your eligibility for that shield.
Do delinquent fees stop my application?
Yes. Since September 1, 2006, the TCEQ will not declare the application complete until any delinquent fees or penalties are paid or current.
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