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...
When do I need an Amusement Device Operation Permit?
Any business that operates, for profit, an amusement ride or device must hold a valid Amusement Device Operation Permit.
How much is the fee?
$110 per ride is the cost of an Amusement Device...
You must have a valid P.E.I. installer’s licence and an acceptable level of general liability and pollution insurance to install, alter or inspect a home heat tank or system in P.E.I. In order to get a licence, you must verify that you have professional...
Any company conducting plumbing services in Prince Edward Island requires a valid PEI Plumbing Contractor's Licence. In addition, the owner or at least one employee of the company must hold a valid journeyman’s certificate in plumbing or a work permit...
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...
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...
Who needs an Elevator and Lifts Contractor's License?
Any company that wishes to install, maintain, or alter an elevator or lift must first obtain an Elevator and Lifts Contractor's License.
To get license, the company must have in it's employ an...
Who needs to hold an Elevator and Lifts Installer's Registration?
Any individual who wishes to install, maintain, or alter an elevator or lift must hold an Elevator and Lifts Installer's Registration.
An Elevator and Lifts Installers Registration is...
When do I need to submit drawing and specifications for the installation of an elevator or lift?
Any company that sells an elevator or lift within Prince Edward Island must, before beginning installation of the unit, submit layout drawings and...
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...
Environmental buffer zones were introduced in 1999 to protect watercourses and wetlands in PEI. Under the Watercourse and Wetland Protection Regulations, a grass headland is required where row crops are grown within 200 metres (656 feet) of a...
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...
When do I need to get an Installation / Alteration Permit for Boilers or Pressure Vessels?
A permit is needed to install or alter any boiler or pressure vessel, which is not housed in a private residence, when the boiler or pressure vessel meets the...
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/...
The Environmental Protection Act defines an undertaking as including any construction, industry, operation or other project or any alteration or modification to an existing undertaking which will or may:
cause the emission or discharge of any...
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...
Once you have confirmed your eligibility to write a Power Engineer Exam, you can register and pay the fee for that exam using the online form below. If you need to confirm your eligibility, contact the chief examiner directly at (902) 368-5567 or...
In PEI, a Power Engineer licence is valid for a maximum five-year period. All licences issued in this current five-year cycle will expire December 31, 2019. You can click Add a Reminder on the right side of this page to request an automated e-mail when...
A plumbing permit is required before you start any plumbing job that involve installation, extension, alteration or repair to a plumbing system and prior to connecting a building to a sewer system. A separate permit is required for each job. You do not...
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 of Communities, Land and Environment as a carrier of hazardous material.
The most common hazardous...
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...
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 of Communities, Land and Environment by...
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...