Industrial Waste Management Permitting

Do you operate an industrial or commercial business in the City of Los Angeles that releases non-domestic wastewater into the sewer system? Under Section 64.30 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (the Industrial Waste Control Ordinance), facilities discharging industrial wastewater must obtain an Industrial Wastewater Permit from LA Sanitation & Environment (LASAN) before discharging.  

This requirement applies to a wide range of commercial operations, including: 

• Manufacturing plants and industrial facilities  
• Automotive repair and maintenance shops  
• Commercial bakeries and restaurants  
• Laboratories, medical offices, and dental practices  
• Commercial laundries  
• Commercial cannabis businesses  

Note: Building, plumbing, and sewer connection permits issued by the Department of Building and Safety do not fulfill or replace your required Industrial Wastewater Permit.  

You do not need an industrial wastewater permit if your facility meets specific low-risk conditions in LA City. Discharges exempt from permit requirements include:  

• Low-volume discharges: Facilities releasing less than 200 gallons per day of industrial wastewater where pretreatment is not required.  
• Food establishments without FOG: Food Service Establishments (FSEs) that do not generate fats, oils, and grease (FOG) during food preparation, provided they follow required Best Management Practices.  
• Small cooling systems: Water bleed-off or blow-down from cooling towers, evaporative condensers, or recirculating units rated at 25 tons or less.  
• Standard self-service laundries: Laundromats using washing machines with a maximum capacity of 20 pounds (with an allowance for up to two 50-pound capacity machines).  

Download the Industrial Wastewater Permit application at the bottom of the page, complete the required forms, and pay the $616 application fee.

Apply Online:

• Fill out and submit your application to the Customer Service Request portal
  • Agency: LASAN
  • Service Request Type: IWMD - "Permit Type"
• Mail your payment (see instructions from permit application)

Apply by Mail:

• Complete and mail the application along with your check (instructions are in the permit application)

All applicants pay a one-time $616 application fee, which covers facility plan reviews, initial field inspections, and final permit issuance.

Permitted businesses are also subject to two ongoing fees: 

•  Annual Inspection and Control Fee: Covers regular inspections, sampling, inventory maintenance, and compliance reporting.  
• Quality Surcharge Fee: Charged if your discharged wastewater contains organic material or heavy solids exceeding standard domestic levels.

Permitted facilities in LA City must strictly comply with both local discharge limits (designed to protect municipal water reclamation plants) and federal limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Prohibited wastes such as flammable, explosive, corrosive, toxic, infectious, or radioactive substances must never be released into the sewer system.  

Facilities that discharge higher volumes (25,000+ gallons per day) or fall under federal industrial categories are classified as Significant Industrial Users (SIUs) and undergo extra monitoring to ensure environmental protection. Non-compliance can lead to Notices of Violation, administrative fines, or permit revocation.

Submit Online:
Submit any questions or other inquiries using the Customer Service Request portal

• Agency: LASAN
• Service Type: IWMD

By Phone:
Call us at (323) 342-6200