Auto Related Businesses ARB

Fredville's Auto-Related Business (ARB) Program oversees the environmental side of running a vehicle-related business in the city. Staff educate owners and operators, inspect facilities and enforce city ordinances so that these businesses help protect the environment and keep Fredville looking its best.

New and current owners should start with the Auto-Related Business information packet (PDF), which explains what the city expects from these businesses.

Permit Process

Which permits are required?

To operate legally, every auto-related business in Fredville needs two city approvals: a valid Certificate of Occupancy and an Auto-Related Business (ARB) Permit. Both are tied to one owner and one business, and neither can be handed over to a different person or company.

If the business changes hands, or the way the property is used changes, a new Certificate of Occupancy and a new ARB Permit are required.

Certain types of businesses also need a Special Use Permit under the city's Unified Development Code.

Depending on the work you do, state permits or licenses may apply as well. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) offers compliance help for small businesses through its small business assistance program.

Step 1. Apply for Certificate of Occupancy

Anyone opening a new business or taking over an existing one must file a Certificate of Occupancy application online with the Building Inspections Division. The Certificate of Occupancy page explains how to apply.

What happens next?

Once both applications are in, city staff will reach out to set up any inspections that are needed.

The city issues the permits after the facility is finished and meets all City of Fredville and State of Texas requirements.

Step 2. Apply for the ARB Permit

Your ARB Permit application can move forward only if you already hold a valid Certificate of Occupancy. An application submitted without one will not be processed and may be denied.

Be ready to provide:

Owner details: contact information, date of birth, driver's license number and a copy of a government-issued photo ID
Name, street address, phone and email for the business
Floodplain information, where it applies
A drawing of the premises that shows parking spaces, either drawn to a stated scale or with dimensions marked (a parking plan and sample diagram are available as a PDF)
A notarized letter from the property owner confirming that they know the business owner plans to run an auto-related business on the site
Payment of the fees listed below

You can apply online through the city's permit portal or turn in a paper application.

To file on paper, drop off the completed Auto-Related Business Permit application (PDF) at the Health and Environment office, City Hall, 100 Civic Center Drive, 2nd Floor, Fredville, TX 75999. Questions about the process can go to (555) 010-1261.

Step 3. Fees

You will be billed once your application has been processed.

Fee	Amount
Permit application fee	$20.00
Inspection fee, auto-related business other than a salvage yard	$225.00
Inspection fee, automotive salvage yard	$275.00
Bulk storage fee, automotive salvage yard	$45.00

Step 4. Complete the Solid Waste Verification Form

Fill out the Solid Waste Verification Form. You will upload it as part of your online Certificate of Occupancy application.

Annual Inspections

The department inspects every auto-related business at least once a year. To see what inspectors look for, review the ARB Program inspection form (PDF) that Health and Environment staff use during each visit.

Ordinances

Auto-related business ordinance, English (PDF)
Mobile wash policy (PDF)

Helpful Links

Auto body shop environmental guide from TCEQ (PDF)
Auto repair shop environmental guide from TCEQ (PDF)
Managing stormwater at salvage yards, in English and Spanish (PDF)
Used oil guide from TCEQ (PDF)
Seven ways to keep a clean shop, in English and Spanish (PDF)

Shop Talk Newsletter

Shop Talk is the program's newsletter for auto-related businesses, published in January and July. Available issues:

2024: January
2023: January
2022: July
2021: January and July
2020: January and July
2019: January and July
2018: January and July
2017: January and July

ARB Operating Procedures

Most best management practices (BMPs) come down to common sense and good housekeeping. They can be put in place without major expense or effort for the operator, and they keep pollutants out of the storm sewer system, which carries runoff straight to Fredville's creeks, rivers and lakes.

Potential Pollutant Sources

A number of everyday shop activities can send pollutants into the storm drainage system, for example:

Poor upkeep of the facility, such as unmanaged spills, uncovered outdoor dumpsters and litter
Mechanical repair work
Oil and fluid changes
Engine and parts cleaning and radiator flushing
Storing used vehicle fluids, including old oil, spent antifreeze, old filters and soiled absorbents

Pollutants of Concern

Pollutants commonly linked to these businesses include:

Heavy metals such as zinc, copper, lead, chromium and nickel
Oil, grease and other hydrocarbons
Toxic chemicals, including glycols, solvents and chlorinated compounds
Fuel components found in gasoline, such as MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Alkaline and acidic substances

Facility Maintenance

Keep all repair work indoors, and build berms around work areas inside the shop so that spilled oil, antifreeze and other fluids cannot run off and soak into the ground.
Do not work on dirt or unpaved floors.
Sweep floors frequently. A clean floor keeps debris from building up and means less water is needed for mopping. Mop water must never be poured into storm drains, gutters or streets, or dumped anywhere outdoors.
Keep vehicles that are waiting for repair inside the shop, with drip pans underneath to catch leaks. Clean up oil spills on the floor right away with absorbent material. Treat the soaked absorbent the same way as used oil: store it in a covered container marked "USED ABSORBENT" and have a registered waste oil hauler collect it.
Cover every floor drain so that oil and flammable materials cannot get into it.
Clean the parking lot with non-toxic, dry methods rather than pressure washing. If pressure washing cannot be avoided, vacuum up the wash water and dispose of it to the sanitary sewer.
Pick up litter around the property every day, keep lids closed on all trash containers and schedule trash collection as often as needed.
Send soiled shop rags to a laundry service. Oily rags must not be washed at home or at any location that lacks an approved sand/grit trap or oil/water separator.
Prepare a spill response plan, keep it current and store cleanup supplies where workers can reach them quickly.
Train every employee on BMPs and proper operating procedures. Record each training session (spill control, facility maintenance and stormwater pollution prevention) in a training log.

Repair, Oil Change and Dismantling Work

Perform repairs and maintenance only in designated indoor areas equipped with spill containment or control measures. Outdoor repairs are not allowed.
Drain or change vehicle fluids into covered drip pans to limit spills inside the shop.
Place a drip pan under the vehicle whenever you disconnect hoses, remove filters or take off other parts. Keep drained engines and transmissions indoors, ideally raised off the floor, with a drip pan below to catch any oil that remains.
A clean, orderly workspace prevents trips and falls and also lowers the chance of spilling hazardous materials.
Collect metal shavings with a broom and recycle as much as possible. Do not leave them outdoors where rain can reach them.

Parts Washing Operations

Whenever possible, clean parts without solvents to cut down on waste. Choose water-based or non-caustic cleaners over caustic products and chlorinated organic solvent degreasers.
If your parts washer does use solvent, keep the lid shut except when you are actively using it, and do not leave the washer running when it is idle.
Collect cleaning solvents and reuse them for as long as they remain effective. Spent solvent is hazardous waste and must go to a registered waste hauler. Keep the manifests or disposal receipts for a minimum of three years.
Do NOT rinse parts in a sink or outdoors. Oily or solvent-laden rinse water may not be released to the sanitary sewer.
If parts need rinsing, rinse them inside the parts washer and let them dry there with the lid closed.

Body Repair and Paint Operations

Do all body work inside the shop with the doors shut.
All painting and coating work, primer included, must take place in an approved paint booth, and the shop must hold an air authorization from TCEQ.
Check damaged vehicles for leaks when they arrive and set out drip pans as needed.
Clean up wet-sanding residue with dry methods such as sweeping or vacuuming. Let it dry overnight on the shop floor, then sweep up the dry dust. Liquid from wet sanding may not go into the storm drainage system.
Dust from wet or dry sanding contains flammable material and does not belong in the regular trash. Handle it as hazardous waste: store it in a container labeled "Flammable Solids" and have a permitted hazardous waste hauler dispose of it.
Reduce leftover paint and thinner by working out how much paint the surface area requires and mixing only that amount.
Clean spray guns in an enclosed, self-contained gun washer, and reuse the cleaning solution until it is no longer usable.
Store body filler dust, used thinner and paint waste in covered, labeled containers, have registered hazardous waste haulers dispose of them, and keep the trip tickets for three years.
When rinsing customer vehicles outdoors, use plain water only. No soap or detergent may be used outside.
Vehicles may be washed only in an approved wash bay whose drain runs through an approved sand/grit trap into the sanitary sewer.

Car Dealership Lots (New and Used)

Dust on outdoor inventory may be rinsed off with plain water only; soap and detergents may not be used outdoors.
Full washing must happen in an approved wash bay that drains to an approved sand/grit trap.
A pressure washer may be used only if the water line has a proper backflow prevention device, inspected by a licensed plumber.
If you hire a mobile power-wash service, every bit of soapy water must be captured and routed into the sanitary sewer through an approved sand/grit trap. Soapy water must never reach the storm drain system.

Storing and Disposing of Waste

Mark every container of waste fluid with what it holds, for example "Used Oil."

At a glance

Fee: $20 application; $225 inspection
Who needs it: A repair shop, salvage yard or other auto-related business
How to apply: This one is not in the online permit portal; use the application below.
Application: Sample application for this permit
Turnaround: About 15 business days, including the inspection
Questions: (555) 010-1261, [email protected]

Fredville is a demonstration city built by Talk to Fred. Names, numbers and details on this page are sample content.