Spare the Air Program
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) established the Spare the Air program to alert people about times when air quality in the Bay Area has reached an unhealthy level. Monitoring and enforcement of the regulations regarding wood-burning devices during Spare the Air Alerts will be conducted solely by inspectors employed by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD).
Alert Options
On the BAAQMD website, residents can sign up for the automatic alerts, view a five-day forecast of the projected air-quality outlook, and find instructions on how to receive a rebate for the purchase of a gas stove or gas insert.
Enforcement Process
Inspectors must physically confirm smoke is coming from a specific site in order to declare that site out of compliance; a warning letter will then be issued to the owner with information on the regulation and how to avoid a violation. Citations will be given to repeat violators of the regulation.
Note: For structures that use wood burning as the sole source of heat (e.g., gas lines do not serve the area), this regulation does not apply
Contact Us
If you have further questions about the Spare the Air program or its enforcement, please contact the Bay Area Air Quality Management District at 1-800-HELP AIR or the Environmental & Sustainability Division at (925) 833-6630 o
