About APCD

The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD or District) is the local agency working to protect the health of over 269,000 county residents by preserving good air quality. By partnering with the local communities and businesses we implement regulations and programs to reduce air pollution and assist the county in reaching all outdoor air quality standards.

Mission

As stewards of healthful air supporting a healthy environment, our mission is to:

To carry out this mission, district staff monitor the air quality, review land use projects, develop and enforce rules and regulations, issue permits, and create a long-term Clean Air Plan for our county. We are the primary agency responsible for achieving clean air standards established by the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The District works with government, industry, businesses and the public to reduce air pollution from stationary sources, such as power plants, corner gas stations and local dry cleaners. By involving all members of the community the District works to preserve air quality at the local level. The support and cooperation of the public and businesses are crucial to the success of our efforts.

Since motor vehicles contribute over half of the air pollution in the county, the APCD also implements programs to promote alternative means of transportation, such as carpooling, telecommuting and use of clean vehicle technologies. The District also promotes pedestrian and transit oriented design in new developments. Mobile sources, such as cars, trucks, trains and marine vessels, fall outside of the Air District's jurisdiction and are regulated by state and federal agencies that establish the air pollution emission standards for vehicles and the fuel they run on.

Click here to find out more about APCD Programs throughout the county.

History

In 1970 California legislation was passed that placed the primary responsibility of controlling air pollution at the local level. Following this action, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors formed the APCD and became the APCD Board. In 1995, the APCD Board was expanded to include representation from all incorporated cities throughout the county. Today the APCD Board consists of twelve members, five County Supervisors and one city council member from each of the seven incorporated cities. The Board is the decision making body for the District and is responsible for adopting rules, setting policies and providing direction on important air quality issues impacting the county.

For more information, see the APCD Board Meetings & Minutes page.

The San Luis Obispo APCD is one of 35 air districts located throughout California. Since air pollution does not recognize boundary lines, the air districts work collectively to develop a comprehensive approach to reduce air pollution in California. The California Air Pollution Control Officers Association is an organization that facilitates discussion among the network of air districts on critical air pollution issues facing the state. Many Air District employees are active members of the CAPCOA. Visit the California Air Resources Board website to learn more about the air pollution history of California.

Budget

Most of our funding comes from fees paid by businesses and industries that cause air pollution, and from an air quality fee for vehicles registered in San Luis Obispo County. Other minor funding sources include state and federal grants and some property taxes. The APCD does not ordinarily receive funding from city or county general funds.  Click here to view the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Budget (in PDF format).

The District operates on the governmental fiscal cycle that begins on July 1 of each year and ends on June 30. The District's annual budget totals about $4.1 million. Each year at the July APCD Board meeting, the budget allocation is approved. The approved budgets can be reviewed at the APCD office.

Contact us if you have comments or questions.

Staff

The APCD has a dedicated staff of 24 individuals including engineers, inspectors, planners, technicians, and administrative personnel. 

Engineers evaluate plans and issue permits for any new projects that cause air pollution. By working with permit applicants to minimize air contaminants, District engineers ensure compliance with all health-based federal, state, and local regulations.

Inspectors provide training to help business owners and conduct periodic inspections to ensure compliance with permit requirements; when necessary, APCD inspectors take enforcement action to secure compliance. Inspectors also investigate complaints regarding smoke, dust and nuisance odors.

Planners update the Clean Air Plan, propose emission control strategies, and review new residential and commercial developments in order to minimize air quality impacts. Planners also administer grant programs to fund emission reduction projects throughout the county.

Technicians monitor the county's air quality through a network of monitoring stations which record pollutant levels 24 hours a day. Data collected is published in local newspapers and shared with the state Air Resources Board and the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

APCD Board

The APCD Board is the decision making body for the District and is comprised of 12 elected officials, representing each district of the county and the incorporated cities. More

Spotlight on District Programs

Periodically, APCD staff present information on various District programs during the APCD Board Meetings, in a segment we call "Spotlight on District Programs".  More

Strategic Action Plan

The APCD developed a Strategic Action Plan to set priorities and establish a road map for future endeavors. More

Links

The APCD works in conjunction with federal and state agencies, and other local districts to improve our air quality.  More

Employment

Are you interested in a career where you can help to preserve the air quality in San Luis Obispo County? The District periodically has employment opportunities available. More

Contact Information

Do you need more information or would you like to contact us directly?  More