Mendocino County      We have moved to a new location:

Air Quality Management District        405 Observatory Ave.
Wildfire Smoke Protection  Air Advisory

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to your questions

>Open Burning
>Permitting
>Gasoline Dispensing Facility
>Air Quality Complaint


Open Burning - Questions

What can I burn with a valid permit?

'Brush, trees and vegetation burned on the property where grown'Burning of any milled lumber, paper, cardboard or other materials is illegal and can result in fines and possible criminal prosecution.

 

Who decides it is a 'burn day' or a 'no burn day'?

The State Air Resources Board meteorologist determines the burn status. However, the local Air District and Fire Agencies can suspend burning based on local conditions. Some major holidays are always designated no burn days.


 

Permitting - Questions

When Do I Need An Air Quality Permit?

State and federal law require permits for any operation or equipment that has the potential to emit, reduce, control, or eliminate the emissions of air contaminants. Permits are required:

  • Before construction begins for a new operation;

  • Before any modification to permitted equipment; or

  • Before equipment is moved or relocated.

 

How do I apply for an air quality Permit?

Contact the District for permit application materials. These include an application form and instructions.

 Go Here For Application Forms

 

Do I need an Air Quality Permit to use my engine in Mendocino County?

All Stationary and Portable engines over 50hp need permits.

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Gasoline Dispensing Facility - Questions

What is an Aboveground Gasoline Storage Tank or AST?

Answer: An AST is a gasoline storage tank that is intended for fixed installations, without backfill, that is located above or below grade. ASTs are commonly classified as either "single-wall" or "protected". Single-wall ASTs are constructed with a primary (single) wall typically made of steel. Protected ASTs are constructed with a primary (inner) tank encased by a secondary (outer) tank, with a layer of insulating material (at least three inches thick) between the primary and secondary walls. The insulating material is usually lightweight concrete or a similar material.

 

Are gasoline dispensing facilities equipped with ASTs located in "attainment areas" for the Federal standard for ozone exempted from SLC requirements?

Answer: Yes, existing ASTs in Federal ozone attainment areas are not required to comply with SLC, but these ASTs must keep their pre-EVR Phase I and Phase II equipment. Any new AST installed after April 1, 2009, regardless of whether it is in an attainment area or not, must comply with SLC requirements. See responses to questions 3.3 and 3.4 for Phase II requirements for new AST installations.

 

Who is subject to Phase II EVR?

Answer: No new or existing ASTs are subject to Phase II EVR as of April 1, 2014. Phase II EVR requirements will apply once a Phase II system is certified for ASTs. Existing ASTs subject to Phase II EVR will have four years from the effective date to comply. The effective date is the date when the first Phase II EVR system for ASTs is certified. A Phase II EVR system is expected to be certified sometime in 2014.

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Air Quality Complaint - Questions

How do I report a smoky vehicle?

This includes complaints about excessive exhaust from cars, trucks or buses. For information about filing a complaint, please see the Smoking Vehicle Complaint page. You can complete an online smoking vehicle complaint form report or call the 24-hour toll-free smoking vehicle complaint line at Air Resources Board (throughout California) 1-800-END-SMOG.

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Asbestos - Questions

Are new building materials asbestos free?

Answer: No. EPA did require that all building materials sold be free of asbestos, however a lawsuit resulted in that regulation being thrown out. Currently new products that contain asbestos cannot be developed, but existing products can be manufactured and sold. Read more.

No asbestos was found, do I still need to notify the District?

Answer: The notification requirement exists even if Asbestos is NOT present. Read more.

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Engine - Questions

Who needs a permit?

Answer: All Stationary and Portable engines over 50hp need permits. Read more.

What's a stationary engine?

Answer: A stationary engine stays at a fixed location for 12 months at a time, or is regularly operated as part of an existing permitted facility. Read more.

What's a portable engine?

Answer: A portable engine is one that moves to multiple locations and is never in one location for more than 12 months. Read more.

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Burn Day Status

For todays burn day status please call 707-463-4391. .

Burn Permit Application> Click Here
SMP Online Burn Request> Click Here

Credit Card Payments

Service FEES are assessed to all Credit Card transactions by govPayNet:

Air Quality for Mendocino

Current Air Quality Index for county:
Observed on --/--/-- at --:00

Ozone:
NA

PM2.5:
NA

More Air Quality Information:

Map data is collected from AirNow.gov.

News / Advisories

Mendocino County: Burn Suspension Lifted. - All open burning requires a fire and air quality burn permits.

Air Quality Advisory For Mendocino County covering smoke impacts from wildfires in California. Click Here for More Information

AB 617 Community Air Protection Incentive Projects - AB 617 Community Air Protection Incentives to Reduce Emissions. Click Here for More Information

Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust - provides about $423 million for California to mitigate the excess nitrogen oxide emissions caused by VW's use of illegal emissions testing defeat devices in certain VW diesel vehicles.. Click Here for More Information

Air District Relaxes Portable Diesel Engine Enforcement - ARB has determined the standards for DPM may not be feasible. Click Here for More Information

The District Mission

  The mission of the Mendocino County Air Quality Management District is to protect and manage air quality, an essential public resource upon which the health of the community depends. 

  Mendocino County Air Quality Management District is one of 35 local Air Districts in California.

Learn more