Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)

Typical Small Businesses Regulated by BAAQMD

• Dry Cleaners
• Print Shops
• "Coating" Operations (ie. body shops, wood finishing, etc.)
• Semiconductor Mfg.
• Solvent Users

BAAQMD is responsible for regulating stationary sources of air pollution in the San Francisco Bay region. Requirements pertain to both equipment and processes of facilities which may generate air emissions.

BAAQMD must also (1) identify air toxic "hot spots" and prioritize high risk facilities, (2) review industry health risk assessments, and (3) make this information available to the public.

The state Air Resources Board (ARB) oversees activities of all local air districts in the state, though each has direct regulatory authority under state law. Cal/EPA oversees ARB activities, and thus indirectly local activities as well.

Regulations: BAAQMD Rules and Regulations; H&S, Div. 26, sec. 39000 et. seq.

Summary of Requirements:

• Authority to Construct - Required for installation of new equipment or facility construction/modification of regulated industries/processes.
• Permit to Operate - Required to operate new or modified facilities or equipment of regulated industries/processes. Also required of existing facilities in order to be in compliance.
• Performance Standards - Regulated industries/processes must meet standards for (1) equipment, (2) materials, and (3) operation (even if a particular facility does not require a permit).
• Health Risk Assessment - Required of identified "high priority" facilities.
• Inspection - Permitted facilities are inspected annually. Non-permitted facilities may be inspected as well.

Resources Available From BAAQMD:

• COMPASS Program brochure describing services
• BAAQMD Rules and Regulations
• Permit packets for specific industries
• Pamphlets on permitting and regulation of specific industry processes
• Handout: Questions & Answers about the Air Toxics "Hot Spot" Assessment Program (AB2588)
  

Resources Available From The Air Resources Board:

• Self-inspection handbooks for specific industries/processes (Some also available in Spanish)
  • Aerospace Coating Industry
  • Agricultural Burning
  • Automotive Refinishing
  • Cargo Tank Vapor Recovery
  • Gasoline Facility Vapor Recovery
  • Hot Mix Asphalt
  • Solvent Cleaners
  • Surface Coating of Metal/Plastic Parts & Products
• Technical manuals for specific industries/processes
  
  

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