Obtaining a hazardous waste license

Businesses located in Hennepin County are required to obtain a license if they produce hazardous wastes.

Before applying for a license:

Generator size Amount of hazardous waste generated
Minimal Generator (MIG) Class of VSQGs established by Hennepin County Ordinance 07 that only generates certain types of wastes.
Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) 220 pounds or less per month (1/2 drum of liquid or less)
Small Quantity Generators (SQG) Greater than 220 pounds but less than 2,200 pounds per month (about 1/2 to 4 drums of liquid)
Large Quantity Generator (LQG) 2,200 pounds or more per month (about 4 drums of liquid)


To obtain a Minimal Generator License:

  • Fill out form Hazardous Waste Self-Audit. Go to www.hennepin.us/selfaudit and determine which self-audit fits your business. Complete the self-audit and any necessary additional forms. Send the completed self-audit and additional forms to the office listed on the self-audit form. An inspector will review your self-audit and contact you with any additional questions. 
  • Review requirements for Minimal Generators.
  • The county will mail you a hazardous license that must be displayed in a public location at your site. 
  • Minimal generator licenses are valid for five years. Minimal generators are exempt from licensing fees.

To obtain a Very Small Quantity Generator License:

  • Fill out a Hazardous Waste Self-Audit. Go to www.hennepin.us/selfaudit and determine which self-audit fits your business. Complete the self-audit and any necessary additional forms. Send the completed self-audit and additional forms to the office listed on the self-audit form. An inspector will review your self-audit and contact you with any additional questions.
  • Review requirements for Very Small Quantity Generators.

To obtain a Small Quantity Generator license:

  • Fill out a Hazardous Waste Self-Audit. Go to www.hennepin.us/selfaudit and determine which self-audit fits your business. Complete the self-audit and any necessary additional forms. Send the completed self-audit and additional forms to the office listed on the self-audit form. An inspector will review your self-audit and contact you with any additional questions.
  • Review requirements for Small Quantity Generators and complete and submit the following to obtain your license:
  1. Self-audit application
  2. Local Authority Notification
  3. Emergency Telephone Posting
  4. Hazardous Waste training documentation

To obtain a Large Quantity Generator license:

  • Fill out a Hazardous Waste Self-Audit. Go to www.hennepin.us/selfaudit and determine which self-audit fits your business. Complete the self-audit and any necessary additional forms. Send the completed self-audit and additional forms to the office listed on the self-audit form. An inspector will review your self-audit and contact you with any additional questions.
  • Review requirements for Large Quantity Generators and submit the following to obtain your license:
  1. Self-audit license application
  2. Contingency plan
  3. Job descriptions and training descriptions for hazardous waste personnel
  4. Annual hazardous waste training records

For more information

Forms for Hazardous Waste Generators.

Renewing your hazardous waste license

Fully licensed hazardous waste generators (LQGs, SQGs, and VSQGs) must renew their hazardous waste license each year. The license year runs from May 1 of through April 30th of the following year. 

Minimal generator licenses are issued for five-year periods and are renewed automatically without an application process. 

The annual renewal process is split into two parts:

  1. Management Plan Summaries are mailed to all fully licensed generators in November. Review and update your Management Plan Summary to reflect waste activities for the year. Remember to submit a Management Plan (Form 2) for new wastes to our office within 75 days of first producing the waste. When your updates are complete, sign the form, keep a copy to keep for your records and return the original to Hennepin County, postmarked by Dec. 15. See the Sample Management Plan Summary to know what to look for.
  2. Bill Summary - If you owe license fees for the next licensing period, a bill summary will be mailed to your business at the end of February. The fee is based on your business' generator size and how much waste was produced the previous year. 

After the Management Plan Summary has been approved and your fee payment is received, your license will be renewed and a license will be mailed to your business. 

Licenses must be displayed at a public place in your business. See the Sample License to know what to look for.

Important dates

  • Dec. 15 - Management Plan Summaries are due each year
  • March 31 - License fees are due each year

Obtaining a license outside of Hennepin County

If your business is located outside of Hennepin County but within the seven county metropolitan area, contact your county for specific licensing requirements. If your business is located in greater Minnesota, contact the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for information on licensing requirements.