Environment Approvals, Licences and Permits
When do I need an Air Quality Permit?
You need an Air Quality Permit if your company operates any of the following:
fuel burning equipment (utility and non-utility boilers),
incinerators,
industrial sources (e.g., asphalt plants), or
used oil...
Notice - New procedures during COVID-19 Pandemic
Inspection Services and Provincial Planning Offices located in Charlottetown and Summerside will reopen to the public on June 15, 2020. Meetings with inspectors or planning staff will be by appointment...
Notice - New procedures during COVID-19 Pandemic
Inspection Services and Provincial Planning Offices located in Charlottetown and Summerside will reopen to the public on June 15, 2020. Meetings with inspectors or planning staff will be by appointment...
You will need an activity permit if you wish to conduct work in a watercourse, wetland or 15 m buffer zone on or near your property. Unauthorized changes made to a watercourse, wetland or buffer zone may result in damage to the environment, water quality...
Do I need approval to construct or operate a water or wastewater system?
Prior to the establishment of a central water or a wastewater system a Certificate of Approval (COA) must be obtained from the department. The process is often a two-part approval...
Do I need to register to be a beverage distributor?
Any person who sells, by wholesale or other means, beverages in beverage containers to a retailer in the province must be registered as a beverage distributor.
How do I register as beverage...
What is a central water supply system?
About 45% of Islanders are serviced by public water supply systems operated by either a municipality, or a private water supply utility. An example of a public water supply is where one or more wells are connected...
Do I need a permit to operate a Construction and Demolition Disposal Site?
Yes, a permit is required.
How do I obtain approval to operate a Construction and Demolition Disposal Site?
Currently, there is a moratorium placed on the development of any...
You must have a Domestic Burning Permit if you intend to burn compostable debris such as grass, brush and other woody vegetation on your property.
The permit can only be issued to the owner of the property. Once the permit is approved, the permit...
Who can do electrical work in PEI?
Only electrical contractors licensed to do work in PEI can apply for an electrical permit. Electrical permits are required for all electrical work on PEI.
What is the fee for an electrical permit?
The fee amount for...
Notice - New procedures during COVID-19 Pandemic
Inspection Services and Provincial Planning Offices located in Charlottetown and Summerside will reopen to the public on June 15, 2020. Meetings with inspectors or planning staff will be by appointment...
Notice - New procedures during COVID-19 Pandemic
Inspection Services and Provincial Planning Offices located in Charlottetown and Summerside will reopen to the public on June 15, 2020. Meetings with inspectors or planning staff will be by appointment...
Notice - New procedures during COVID-19 Pandemic
Inspection Services and Provincial Planning Offices located in Charlottetown and Summerside will reopen to the public on June 15, 2020. Meetings with inspectors or planning staff will be by appointment...
What is an Excavation Pit?
An excavation pit refers to any excavation in the ground made for the purpose of searching for, or removal of, earthen material.
What do I need to operate an excavation pit?
In order to operate an excavation pit, you must:...
Do I need to register to generate hazardous waste?
Yes. Generators of hazardous waste must register with the department as a hazardous waste generator. Waste material is considered hazardous if it contains a toxic substance listed in the Environmental...
What kinds of wells need a permit?
Any high-capacity well, commercial well, or well used as a central water supply system needs a Groundwater Extraction Permit. A high-capacity well supplies more than 4 L/second. Before this permit can be issued, a...
Notice - New procedures during COVID-19 Pandemic
Inspection Services and Provincial Planning Offices located in Charlottetown and Summerside will reopen to the public on June 15, 2020. Meetings with inspectors or planning staff will be by appointment...
Who needs a Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gas Dispenser Operator License?
Anyone who dispenses a liquefied petroleum gas must hold a valid LP Gas Dispenser Operator License.
How do I obtain a LP Gas Dispenser Operator License?
You must complete an...
Are there regulatory requirements for wastewater discharges?
Yes, there are several regulatory requirements for wastewater discharges, which vary depending upon the type of discharge. The discharge of wastewater can be categorized into planned and...
Mandatory Replacement Years for Home Heat Tanks (calculated from the year of manufacture)
Steel Thickness
Outlet/Connection Type
Mandatory Replacement Year
Non-metallic tanks
Not applicable
No mandatory replacement year...
Do I need a certificate to operate a water or wastewater facility?
Yes. Any individual who operates a water or wastewater facility must hold a valid certificate. An owner of a water or wastewater facility can also contract the services of a certified...
Ozone depleting or regulated substances are used in many applications, including refrigeration, air conditioning, fire suppression, cleaning of electronics, and solvents. When these substances are released they enter the earth's atmosphere, are broken...
Before an electrical product or piece of electrical equipment is used, sold, displayed or advertised for sale in Prince Edward Island, it must be approved by an accredited certification or evaluation agency. The item must carry the official mark or label...
When do I need a Permit to Alter a Sand Dune?
Anyone who wishes to conduct work on, or near, a sand dune (e.g., build a staircase or boardwalk, undertake shoreline stabilization, etc.) must obtain a Permit to Alter a Sand Dune.
How can I get a Permit...
When do I need a permit to operate a used oil burner?
You need a Permit to Operate a Used Oil Burner if your company operates a used oil burner.
How can I obtain a Permit to Operate a Used Oil Burner?
You must complete a Permit to Operate a Used Oil...
Companies that wish to apply a commercial class pesticide to client properties must have a pesticide application business licence. Pesticide application business licences are specific to the type of pesticides your business uses. They are available for...
What is considered to be a petroleum storage tank system?
This includes an:
underground petroleum storage tank, or
above ground petroleum storage tank at a retail or bulk outlet
When do I need a Petroleum Storage Tank Contractor's License?
Any...
What do I need to install or alter a petroleum storage tank or storage tank system?
You must hold a Level II Petroleum Storage Tank Contractor's License. You must complete, and forward to the department, an application form.
Are there additional...
When do I need to complete a Practical Test for a Pressure Welder/Brazer License?
Anyone who performs welding or brazing on a boiler or pressure vessel, or on pressure piping systems, must successfully complete a practical test for a Pressure Welder/...
All projects currently under environmental review in the province and any projects previously assessed for their environmental impact are available to the public. Search this database for a brief description of the project, its review status and other...
Who needs a Pumper's License?
Anyone who pumps septic tanks, or manages sludge or biosolids, must hold a Pumper's License.
How do I obtain a Pumper's License?
Applicants can fill out and submit a Pumper's License Application Form to the Department...
Agriculture is the largest contributor of any resource sector to the economy of Prince Edward Island. Rainfall patterns have changed in recent years and in some cases, some farmers are interested in irrigating crops to ensure yield and quality.
One...
Do I need a permit to operate a recycling facility?
Anyone who wishes to operate a recycling facility must first obtain a Recycling Facility Permit.
How can I get a Permit to Operate a Recycling Facility?
You must complete an Application to Operate a...
Notice - New procedures during COVID-19 Pandemic
Inspection Services and Provincial Planning Offices located in Charlottetown and Summerside will reopen to the public on June 15, 2020. Meetings with inspectors or planning staff will be by appointment...
Notice - New procedures during COVID-19 Pandemic
Inspection Services and Provincial Planning Offices located in Charlottetown and Summerside will reopen to the public on June 15, 2020. Meetings with inspectors or planning staff will be by appointment...
Notice - New procedures during COVID-19 Pandemic
Inspection Services and Provincial Planning Offices located in Charlottetown and Summerside will reopen to the public on June 15, 2020. Meetings with inspectors or planning staff will be by appointment...
What is septage?
Septage is material removed from a septic tank. Septic tanks should be cleaned as needed (every 3 to 5 years) using a Licensed Pumper. Licensed Pumpers are required to haul this material to an approved facility for processing and...
When do I need a permit to dispose of special waste?
Some waste items require special disposal considerations to protect worker safety and reduce impacts to the environment. Upon request from companies or the general public, the Department issues...
Do I need a permit to withdraw surface water for irrigation?
Yes. A Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Activity Permit is needed to withdraw surface water (from a stream or river) when:
the rate of withdrawal is more than 50 imperial gallons per...
Do I need to register to transport hazardous waste?
Yes. Companies which transport hazardous waste outside of PEI must register with the Department as a carrier of hazardous material.
The most common hazardous materials shipped out of Prince Edward...
Who can do electrical work in PEI?
Only electrical contractors licensed to do work in PEI can apply for an electrical permit. Electrical permits are required for all electrical work on PEI.
What are the types of electrical licenses?
There are several...
Government’s priority is protecting the health and safety of Islanders and limiting the spread of COVID-19 by physical distancing. A modified sampling schedule is in place for all wastewater owners / operators using PEI Analytical Laboratories. This will...
What types of drinking water and wastewater facilities need to be classified?
All central drinking water and wastewater systems that service more than five connections must:
be registered with the Department by submitting an Application for Water and...
Do I need a permit to drill a well?
Depending upon the capacity and the location of the well, a permit to drill a well may be required.
A Well Permit is required if the well is to be:
located in one of the water well restricted areas; or
constructed...
When do I need a Well Contractor’s or a Well Driller's License?
Any person who operates as a well driller, or constructs a well, needs a Well Driller's License. Holders of a Well Drillers License must be employed by a company that has a Well Contractor...