Regulatory Resources

Rules for solid and hazardous waste disposal, air emissions and water discharges mostly come from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). These rules may be federal or state rules. A good place to start for information on rules affecting industries in Minnesota is MPCA resources. Other offices have jurisdiction depending on location or function.

Minnesota Regional Offices

Solid and hazardous waste rules may also have local requirements in the seven Twin Cities metropolitan counties.

County or OrganizationContact Information
Anoka County Community Health & Environmental Services Department763-422-7063
Carver County Environmental Services Department952-361-1800
Dakota County Environmental Management Department (click on the Environment tab)952-891-7020
Hennepin County612-348-3777
Ramsey County Department of Public Health Environmental Health Section651-299-1199
Scott County Environmental Services952.496.8177
Washington County Environmental Services651-430-6655
Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES)651-602-4703
Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD)218-722-3336

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

ProgramDescriptionPhone Number
Minnesota Pollution Control AgencyProtects Minnesota’s environment through monitoring environmental quality and enforcing environmental regulations. MnTAP’s Web site links to many MPCA resources directly. Find information on air, water, solid and hazardous waste, and cleanup regulations and permits.651-296-6300 or
800-657-3864
Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP)Provides free, non-regulatory, confidential compliance assistance to small businesses, with an emphasis on pollution prevention opportunities to get small businesses out of the regulatory loop or into a less burdensome regulatory process.651-282-6143 or
800-657-3938
Environmental Guide for Small Businesses in MinnesotaA user-friendly guide for small manufacturers to Minnesota’s environmental regulations. The guide aims to give you enough information so you can quickly determine if your business is subject to a regulation and places to go for more help.
Staff directoryIf you know the name of the MPCA staff person you want to contact, search MPCA’s staff directory for contact information.
MPCA NewsIncludes press releases, compliance, new or revised fact sheets, and meeting minutes.
SBA LoansSBA offers a variety of loan programs for a variety of purposes.U.S. Small Business Administration

Other State of Minnesota Agencies & Organizations

ProgramDescriptionFunding Agency
Minnesota Department of Health, Environmental HealthFind resources on regulations for plumbing codes, i.e., rules for oil and flammable liquids separator and traps.
Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Commercial Vehicle OperationsProvides training and information on DOT hazardous materials shipping requirements, including containers, describing and documenting waste, and labeling. Registers transporters and shippers of hazardous materials and hazardous waste.651-405-6120
Minnesota Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) ProgramThe EPCRA Program is responsible for coordinating information about hazardous chemicals at facilities around the state so that local emergency officials can prepare for emergencies.651-201-7416
Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration ComplianceWorker safety requirements are handled by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the Department of Labor.651-284-5060 or
800-657-3776

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

OrganizationDescription
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). A compilation of federal environmental regulations.
Federal RegisterIncludes environmental rule notices. Useful for supplementary information, background and preamble understanding.
Office of Solid WasteIncludes solid waste, recycling, reuse, hazardous waste, and tanks.

Other Agencies & Organizations

OrganizationDescription
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)Part of the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA works to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths. Has information on regulations, subject and site search, and what’s new.
U.S. Patent and Trademark OfficeFind and review issued patents and patent applications.
Chemical AllianceUp-to-date information concerning the environmental regulations affecting the chemical industry. Operated by a partnership of environmental professionals in academia, government and industry. Includes news and articles.