This page updated March 22, 2006.

FACT SHEET

What is the Statewide Registration Program?

The Statewide Registration Program (Program) establishes a uniform program to regulate portable engines and portable engine-driven equipment units. Once registered in the Program, engines and equipment units can operate throughout the State of California without the need to get individual permits from local air districts. Districts are pre-empted from permitting, registering, or regulating portable engines and portable equipment units registered with the Air Resources Board (ARB) except at locations where the registration is not valid. However, local air districts are responsible for enforcing the Program.

The Statewide Registration Program was adopted on March 27, 1997 by the ARB. Subsequent revisions to the Program were adopted on December 11, 1998 and became effective December 1, 1999. The most recent changes were adopted on February 26, 2004 with an effective date of September 1, 2005.

Who is eligible to register?

Owners and operators of portable engines and portable equipment units that meet the definitions and requirements of the Program are eligible for registration. A portable engine is an internal combustion engine which is designed and capable of being carried or moved from one location to another and does not remain at a single location for more than 12 consecutive months. Engines used to propel mobile equipment or a motor vehicle of any kind are not eligible for registration. A portable equipment unit is a portable piece of engine-driven equipment that is associated with, and driven solely by, a portable engine and emits pollutants over and above the emissions of the portable engine.

Engines can meet PERP eligibility requirements five ways:

- a "certified" engine. A certified engine is one which has been tested by U.S. EPA or ARB and meets the most current federal off-road engine emission standards. Certified engines will have an emissions information label showing an "engine family name." This engine family name must be provided to ARB as part of the application.

- a "certified" engine which does not meet the most current federal off-road engine emission standards but holds a valid permit. Applicants must provide a copy of the valid district permit.

- a "resident" engine. A resident engine is a noncertified engine which holds a current permit to operate from an air district. Applicants must provide documentation showing the engine met the residency requirements.

- a "controlled" engine. A controlled engine is one which meets the spark-ignition engine standards in Table I of the PERP regulation, an engine retrofitted with a Clean Cam technology kit, or an engine which is equipped with a selective catalytic reduction system. Applicants must submit to ARB documentation showing the control efficiency and controlled emission factors for the technology employed.

- a "flex" engine. A flex engine is one which is built according to the flexibility provisions for equipment and vehicle manufacturers pursuant to 40 CFR part 89 or Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations. Applicants must provide a photograph of the engine label to prove the engine is a flex engine.

What are the requirements for portable equipment units?

Portable equipment units registered in the Program are required to comply with established Best Available Control Technology requirements. Additional registration requirements include: a daily emission limit of 82 pounds per day of particulate matter smaller than 10 microns, an annual limit of 10 tons per year for any criteria pollutant, and recordkeeping requirements.

How is the program enforced?

The local air districts have primary enforcement responsibility. The ARB or the districts may conduct inspections at any time to verify and ensure compliance with the Program requirements. A district may charge $75 to inspect a portable engine or equipment unit. Where multiple portable engines or equipment units are located at a given site, the inspection fees will be $75 per portable engine or equipment unit inspected, or the actual cost associated with the inspection, whichever is less. Districts can, however, recover the full actual costs associated with enforcing the requirements of 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart OOO (rock crushers) for registered equipment units subject to Subpart OOO.

What are the fees?

The basic fees are $270 per unit. Here is a listing of all the fees including fees for renewal, changes of ownership, modifications, corrections, sticker and document replacements, and fees for registering tactical support equipment. Registration fees are for a three year period, however, an option exists to select a five-year renewal cycle.

How are renewals done?

Approximately 90 days prior to the registration expiration date, ARB will send a billing invoice. The basic fee applys for payments received 60 days prior to expiration. Payments made later than 60 days prior must include penalty fees. Units which expire may not be eligible for renewal and there is an additional fee for renewal of an expired unit.

Please include a copy of the billing invoice with renewal payments. Incorrect payments or payments without invoices will be returned to you.

Is more information available?

Information about the Statewide Registration Program can be obtained via the internet through ARB's web page at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/portable/perp/perp.htm 

Application forms can be downloaded and mailed directly to the ARB at:

ARB/PERP
P.O. Box 2038
Sacramento, CA  95812-2038

Program information and applications can be obtained in person from the ARB staff located on the sixth floor at:

1001 I Street, Sacramento, California

Information can also be obtained by contacting the Statewide Registration Program Information Line at (916) 324-5869, or sending electronic mail to portable@arb.ca.gov. Alternatively, you can write to the above post office box for more information.