An Air District is one of 35 local regulatory agencies in California responsible for ambient (outdoor) air quality in its geographic region. Air Districts are a form of local government, created by state law and separate from county and city government.

An Air District carries out local, state and federal air quality programs which includes air monitoring, stationary source permitting, open burn permitting, performing compliance inspections, administrating grants, and responding to air quality complaints.

In 1955 the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) was formed and was originally comprised of the urban counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Sonoma County was included as an “inactive” member at that time. In 1971 the southern portion of Sonoma County joined the BAAQMD as an active member and the northern portion of the county was established as its own Air District, The Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District, primarily because of its rural nature.

The District border is complex and does not follow roads or other geo-political features. To verify if you are in our District, go to the map application on our home page and type your address into the map. It will determine if you are located in the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District or in the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD).

Check the air quality near you with the Air Quality Index (AQI).  We provide a snapshot of the AQI, the recommended AQI tools, and tools to dig deeper into air quality on our air quality page.  

Yes, if you are in the NSCAPCD territory. “Spare the Air” is a regulation of the BAAQMD in effect from November through February that prohibits the burning of wood in woodstoves and fireplaces on days that are forecast to have poor air quality. Our District does not implement “Spare the Air Day” at this time as we do not have this regulation, and our District is in compliance with all state and federal ambient air quality standards.

Yes. Any wood burning appliance installed, or that transfers ownership (sold new or used) in the District must be an EPA certified wood burning device.  In addition, a building permit for the installation of a wood burning appliance from the County of Sonoma also requires EPA certification.  Learn more on our Wood Burning Appliance page.

Vehicles registered to addresses located within the District are exempt from the bi-annual SMOG check program. Use the map application on our home page to verify you are in the District. Vehicles brought into the District from another area typically require an initial smog check. The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) manages the smog exemption process and no longer utilizes a District letter for DMV address verification.  If DMV asks for address verification you must apply to BAR via email and upon approval, BAR will send you a conformation email and forward your exemption approval to the DMV.  The step-by-step process is outlined on our Smog Exemption page.

Yes, with a valid District burn permit, on a permissive burn day, following all of your permit’s requirements. Only dried vegetative matter generated on the property may be burned on a permissive burn day. No open burning is allowed on a District designated “No Burn Day”. Requirements on how to carry out a compliant open burn are listed on the burn permit, including the phone number one needs to call to determine if it’s a permissive burn day. Barrel burning is always prohibited by state law. Burn permit information, including the ability to pay online for a burn permit, is listed on our Burn Permit page.

Yes. The District offers various Community Clean Air incentive Programs to help our region maintain its excellent air quality. Current incentives are listed on our Incentives page.  To receive news about District grant offerings, including application submittal dates, you may subscribe to our Grants Emal Newsletter.

Yes, District notificiation is required, and prior to the demolition or renovation of a commercial building or dwelling of more than four residences . The District is delegated by US EPA and CARB to implement the Federal and State asbestos programs. Renovation or demolition of structures that contain asbestos require EPA certified contactors.  Our Asbestos FAQ and more information can be found on our Asbestos Notification page.

If your facility has a piece of equipment or process that emits to the atmosphere an air contaminant (something other than water vapor), you might, depending on how much it emits. Before you begin construction, please call the District for a free consultation with a member of our permit and engineering staff. Permit information can be found on our Business Permits page.

Yes. District staff carry out routine inspections of sources permitted with the District and investigate air quality complaints. Violations of District rules, regulations or permit conditions may result in a Notices of Violation and potentially a financial penalty being issued to the violating party.

You may call the District office at 707-433-5911 or send the District a message by clicking the “Contact” link at the top of our web pages.

Yes, The District holds approximately five public meetings per year rotating among locations in Healdsburg, Guerneville, and Cloverdale. The meeting schedule and materials are available on our Home page (toward the bottom).

You can subscribe to receive curated email newsletters regarding Public Meeting Notices, Open Burning, and Grants by selecting the "Subscibe" link at the top of our web pages.

The white trails behind an aircraft are condensation or “contrails” composed of ice particles that form in the exhaust of an aircraft. Our District does not have regulatory authority in this matter. Visit the Federal Aviation Administration website for more information about this phenomena.