Air Quality

The County shall strive to reduce air pollutants from stationary and mobile sources to protect human health and welfare, focusing efforts on shifting patterns and practices that contribute to the areas with the highest pollution exposures and health impacts.

The County shall prohibit discretionary development that is inconsistent with the most recent adopted Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP), unless the Board of Supervisors adopts a statement of overriding considerations.

The County shall ensure that discretionary development subject to Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) permit authority complies with all applicable APCD rules and permit requirements, including the use of Best Available Control Technology (BACT) as determined by the VCAPCD.

When the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) updates the Air Quality Management Plan, the County shall actively engage continuously and throughout the process.

The County shall work with applicants for discretionary development projects to incorporate bike facilities, solar water heating, solar space heating, incorporation of electric appliances and equipment, and the use of zero and/or near zero emission vehicles and other measures to reduce air pollution impacts and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The County shall continue to work with the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) and Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) to develop and implement Transportation Control Measures (TCM) programs consistent with the APCD’s Air Quality Management Program (AQMP) to facilitate public transit and alternative transportation modes within the county.

When purchasing new County vehicles, the County shall give strong preference to fuel efficient vehicles, including the use of zero emission vehicles when feasible.

The County shall promote alternative modes of transportation that reduce single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) travel and enhance “last-mile” transportation options to improve air quality.

The County shall require that discretionary development which will create objectionable odors that could affect a substantial number of people are appropriately mitigated. The project, pursuant to state law, shall be required to operate in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD), with emphasis on Rule 51, Nuisance throughout the life of the permit.

The County shall continue to designate, promote, and enforce smoke-free environments to reduce toxins in the air and exposure to second-hand smoke.

In evaluating air quality impacts, the County shall consider total emissions from both stationary and mobile sources, as required by the California Environmental Quality Act. The County shall evaluate discretionary development for air quality impacts using the Air Quality Assessment Guidelines as adopted by the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), except that emissions from APCD-permitted sources shall also be included in the analysis. The County shall revise the Initial Study Assessment Guides to implement this policy.

The County shall require that discretionary development that would have a significant adverse air quality impact shall only be approved if it is conditioned with all feasible mitigation measures to avoid, minimize or compensate (offset) for the air quality impact. The use of innovative methods and technologies to minimize air pollution impacts shall be encourage in project design.

Discretionary development projects that will generate construction-related air emissions shall be required by the County to incorporate best management practices (BMPs) to reduce emissions. These BMPs shall include the measures recommended by VCAPCD in its Air Quality Assessment Guidelines or otherwise to the extent applicable to the project.

The County shall ensure that discretionary development which will generate fugitive dust emissions during construction activities will, to the extent feasible, incorporate appropriate BMPs to reduce emissions to be less than applicable thresholds.

The County shall require discretionary development for land uses that include sensitive receptors be located at least 1,000 feet from any road with traffic volumes that exceed 50,000 vehicles per day. New sensitive receptor structures can be located within 1,000 feet from a new or existing road with traffic volumes that exceed 50,000 vehicles per day only if a project applicant first prepares a qualified, site-specific health risk assessment (HRA). The HRA shall be conducted in accordance with guidance from VCAPCD and approved by VCAPCD. If the HRA determines that a nearby sensitive receptor would be exposed to an incremental increase in cancer risk greater than 10 in 1 million, then design measures shall be incorporated to reduce the level of risk exposure to less than 10 in 1 million. No further action shall be required if an HRA demonstrates that the level of cancer risk would be less than 10 in 1 million. Project design features that may be considered in the HRA may include, but are not limited to: installing air intakes furthest away from the heavily traveled transportation corridor; installing air filtration (as part of mechanical ventilation systems or stand-alone air cleaner); using air filtration devices rated MERV-13 or higher; requiring ongoing maintenance plans for building HVAC air filtration systems; limiting window openings and window heights on building sides facing the heavily traveled transportation corridor; or permanently sealing windows so they don’t open on the side of the building facing the heavily traveled transportation corridor; and installing vegetative barriers, considering height and cover thickness, to create a natural buffer between sensitive receptors and the emissions source. For purposes of this policy, “sensitive receptors” means populations or uses that are more susceptible to the effects of air pollution than the general population such as long-term health care facilities, rehabilitation centers, retirement homes, convalescent homes, residences, schools, childcare centers, and playgrounds.