Section 24-41.6 of the Miami-Dade County Environmental Code requires that a Vapor Recovery (APVR) permit be obtained for those gasoline/gasohol motor vehicle refueling facilities that have either (a) a total storage capacity of 10,000 gallons or more of gasoline/gasohol or (b) an average throughput of 10,000 gallons or more per month of gasoline/gasohol.

To prevent the release of gasoline vapors during refueling of motor vehicles. These vapors include Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and known carcinogenic compounds, such as Toluene. VOCs react with air in the presence of ultraviolet light and other chemicals to form ground level, or tropospheric, ozone.  While ozone in the stratosphere is beneficial to the welfare of life on the earth, ground level (tropospheric) ozone presents a health hazard.

In addition to properly installing the vapor recovery system, the permit holder must maintain, periodically test and certify the facility to ensure that it prevents VOC emissions to the environment.

The following is a list of other agencies that may have jurisdiction over these projects.  Please be advised that their involvement will depend upon the location, nature, type and size of the project:

• Local Municipality (structural, zoning, building)
• Miami-Dade County Building department (if located in unincorporated Miami-Dade County)
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)

This question is intended to give you an idea of what other permits may be needed.  Depending on your situation, you may need one or more of the above-mentioned permits. Additionally, there may be instances when a permit that is not listed here is required. We encourage you to call the contact number at the bottom of this page to discuss your particular case or to receive additional information.

The processing time for a permit will vary depending on whether or not the permit is part of DERM’s Multiple Source Permit (MSP) program.

The annual vapor recovery permit fee is dependent upon the number of gasoline/gasohol dispensing nozzles at the refueling site.  To determine the cost of a vapor recovery permit, multiply the number of gasoline/gasohol dispensing nozzles by $3.50.  Thus, a gasoline refueling station with 12 nozzles would have an annual permit fee of $42.00. Please see DERM Fee Schedule.

Both the MSP and non-MSP APVR permits are valid for one year.  APVR permits issued under the MSP program are valid from October 1 of the current year through September 30 of the following year.  Non-MSP, or “stand-alone” APVR permits are valid from January 1 through December 31 of the current year.

• View the Vapor Recovery Program Construction/Operating Permit Application