Air quality regulations in the Bay Area District are stricter due to recent limits on PM 2.5 (Particulate Matter less than 2.5 microns). Growers do not need a burn permit, but they do need to notify the Bay Area Air Quality Management District in writing before burning. Regulations, submission forms, and burn days can be found at www.baaqmd.gov. You can call 1-800 HELP AIR for permissive burn days.

The following requirements for agricultural burning must be followed:

Burning can only be done on commercial farms

Burning cannot begin before 10:00 a.m.

No smoke can be rising from the pile by sunset that day

All material must be reasonable dry before burning

Pile size base area is limited to no more than 25 sq yds (~17 feet in diameter) and pile height shall be at least 2/3 of the average width.

Only vineyard prunings or vines pulled for replacement can be burned

If burning is for disease or pest control, you must contact the Agricultural Commissioner

Other wood products, e.g. pallets, posts, stakes, garden prunings or plastic materials cannot be burned

Flood debris can be burned

Enforcement officers are patrolling the county 7 days/week.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District includes the southern half of the county (a map is on the website above). The Commission does have a few information packets available for growers. Contact Ginger at 707-522-5864.

For more information on obtaining a permit for ag burning in the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District, call 707-433-5911