The three main enforcement tools utilized by the AQMD are the Notice of Noncompliance (NON), the Notice to Comply (NTC), and the Notice to Apply for a Permit (NTA). These Notices are a formal record of the District's finding that a violation of a Local, State, or Federal law affecting air quality has occurred. In most cases, a violation can be settled by taking corrective action and paying a penalty. A NON can also involve monetary penalties, civil suits, or criminal prosecution in failure to respond, repeated violations, or serious pollution cases.

Notice of Noncompliance

This notice is used to document all violations, unless the violation is considered minor. Violations are normally documented during field inspections or complaint investigations.

Notice to Comply

This notice documents minor violations of a person or facility to comply with administrative or procedural requirements which does not result in an emission of air contaminants, does not endanger the environment, and does not endanger the health, safety or welfare of the public. An NTC may be issued on site during an investigation and provides an opportunity for the violation to be corrected with minimal or no subsequent action. Failure to respond to an NTC will result in the issuance of a Notice of Noncompliance.

Notice to Apply for a Permit

This notice is used to notice a person or facility that certain equipment and/or operations require a District permits(s) and that a permit application must be filed with the District within a specified time frame (usually within ten days).

If you receive a Compliance Notice, what should you do?

First, take immediate corrective action to prevent the violation from recurring. Each additional day may be considered an additional and separate violation.

Advise the District in writing within 10 days of the action taken to correct the violation. Your response does not necessarily prevent further legal action by the AQMD. The promptness and cooperation of your response will be considered during penalty assessment.

If you are unable to correct the violation immediately and must continue to use the equipment or process that resulted in a Notice of Noncompliance, you may petition the AQMD Hearing Board for a variance from AQMD regulations. If granted a variance, you are then allowed to legally operate the equipment causing the violation while you are working to correct the problem. A variance cannot be granted from the requirement to apply for a permit. Contact the District for further information on petitioning the Hearing Board.

Unusually serious violations that could have been prevented or that show willful disregard for public health and air pollution control laws will be referred directly for criminal prosecution. Criminal penalties for such violations may be a high as $50,000 for each day of violation or one year in jail, or both.

When rules change...

Rule changes and changes in State and Federal law can affect your business. It is your responsibility to know the current rules and laws. To help you keep current, the District maintains a subscription list for those who wish to receive updated rules and regulations. Requests should be submitted in writing to the District.