Hazardous waste generators in Dakota County must be licensed. There are two levels of licensing in Dakota County — Minimal Generator registration and fully licensed generators.
Annually, the county issues 800 registrations and more than 400 licenses.
Get a license for the first time
By state law, hazardous waste generators in Dakota County must be licensed. There are two levels of licensing in Dakota County: minimal generator registration (MQG) and fully licensed generators.
Minimal Generator registration
Businesses that generate 10 gallons or less of hazardous waste per year and/or exempt waste are considered Minimal Generators . They complete and submit a one-time registration form. Download the 
Minimal Quantity Generator Registration Form.
Full hazardous waste generator licensing
Businesses that create more than 10 gallons of hazardous waste per year must apply for a license and renew the license annually.
A Dakota County inspector can come to your site and help you fill out the forms. Email environ@co.dakota.mn.us or call 952-891-7557 to set up an appointment.
All generators pay a base fee of $59.30 plus each generator pays a gallonage fee, which is calculated on each incremental gallon.
Renew a license
Hazardous waste generator licenses must be renewed annually. Dakota County emails secure links to the online relicensing system by Dec. 31 each year.
To renew your hazardous waste license:
- Follow the secure link provided in the email. If you did not get an email, contact Environment Resources, 952-891-5775.
- Enter the amount of waste generated in pounds or gallons for each waste stream for that calendar year. Add new waste streams and quantities if needed.
- Submit the report for review no later than Jan. 31. A late fee will be applied if the form is submitted after Jan. 31.
- Receive an email from Dakota County with an invoice. Print the invoice and mail it with a check to:
Dakota County Environmental Resources
Hazardous Waste License
14955 Galaxie Ave.
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Once Dakota County receives your payment, a license will be emailed to you. Print and prominently display the license as required. Licenses are valid April 1 through March 31.
Add a waste stream
New hazardous waste produced by your business must be reported to Dakota County within 75 days of producing the waste. To do this, you must complete a License Application for the new waste stream.
Non-hazardous industrial wastes must be managed as industrial waste and disposed of at a facility that is permitted to accept industrial waste. Industrial waste may be accepted at either sanitary or industrial landfills.
Codisposal — disposal of non-hazardous industrial waste at a sanitary landfill—requires prior review and approval from Dakota County.
No review or approval by Dakota County is necessary to dispose of industrial waste at an industrial landfill.
Record keeping
Businesses that generate hazardous waste must keep the following records for at least three years.
- Disposal/recycling records (including records for exempt wastes)
- Employee training records
- Waste evaluations/profiles
- Records of weekly hazardous waste container inspections
Exempt wastes
The following wastes are exempt from licensing. If your business only generates the following waste, no license is needed. The wastes must however be recycled or sent to a licensed/permitted disposal company for the exemption to apply.
- Oil, oil filters and oil absorbents
- Batteries
- Electronics
- Fluorescent bulbs
- Photographic film and x-rays
- Dental wastes
- Waste aerosols and compressed gas cylinders