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Agricultural Burning




​Agricultural burning is when farmers burn waste from their crops on the same land where they grew them. To do this, they need an annual permit.   Burning may only occur on days approved by the Sac Metro Air District​. ​​​​

To​ Check the Burn Day Status, call 279-972-BURN(2876).​


Permit holders must verify it is a burn day and receive authorization before burning. To submit your burn request before 11:00​ AM, call 279-972-BURN (2876) or email ​burning@airquality.org.

    • The burn line is updated by 9:30 AM, Monday through Friday. The daily burn day status is emailed to the permit email address on file.
    • To burn on a weekend or holiday, call or email the request at least 5 business days in advance. ​

​​​

​To Apply for a Permit:


  1. ​Submit a permit application. If you need assistance or would like to request a paper application, call 279-972-2876 or email burning@airquality.org​

  2. ​​District staff will review your permit application within 3 business days.  Afterward, you will receive an email with instructions on how to register and pay the invoice through our new Online Services Portal.

  3. Log in to our Online Services Portal​ to pay the invoice using the organization information provided by the Air District. 

  4.  Once payment Is processed, the permit will be issued within 3 business days. 


Click Here to Submit a Permit Ap​plication​

If you need any help or have questions, staff are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 11:00 A​M. Email burning@airquality.org​ or call 279-972-2876. ​​​


​​Frequently Asked Questions


 

 

What rules and regulations apply to Agricultural Burning?What rules and regulations apply to Agricultural Burning?<ul><li>Sac Metro Air District Rules:<br></li><ul><li><a href="/ProgramCoordination/Documents/rule501.pdf">501 Agricultural Burning</a><br></li><li><a href="/ProgramCoordination/Documents/rule303.pdf">303 Agricultural Burning Permit Fees</a>​<br></li></ul><li><span style="font-size:1em;">California Code of Regulations:</span></li><ul><li><span style="font-size:1em;"><a href="/StationarySources/Documents/Smoke%20Management%20Guidelines%20for%20Ag%20and%20Prescribed%20Burning.pdf">Title 17 Div.3. Smoke Management Guidelines for Ag adn Prescribed Burning</a>​</span></li></ul></ul>
Who regulates Agricultural Burning in Sacramento County?Who regulates Agricultural Burning in Sacramento County?<p>The Sac Metro Air District regulates all agricultural burning in Sacramento County. In the past, the Sac Metro Air District contracted with the Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office to issue Agricultural Burn Permits. Effective July 1, 2021, Sac Metro Air District will implement all aspects of the Agricultural Burn Program and begin issuing permits​</p>
Who needs an agricultural burn permit?Who needs an agricultural burn permit?<p>​Any agricultural operation that wants to burn agricultural waste or other related items or anyone conducting any controlled burning for land improvement needs a permit prior to burning. ​</p>
What is the difference between agricultural burning and open burning?What is the difference between agricultural burning and open burning?<p>If you are burning outdoors to dispose of material and you are not an agricultural operation, then you are open burning. Open burning is illegal in most parts of Sacramento County and subject to penalties. To legally open burn contact your local fire department or visit <a href="/StationarySources/Pages/Outdoor-Burning.aspx">www.airquality.org/Residents/Outdoor-Burning</a>​<br></p>
How do I conduct a legal Agricultural Burn?How do I conduct a legal Agricultural Burn?<ul><li><span class="ms-rteStyle-Bold">​​Get a valid Agricultural Burn Permit</span>: Apply to Sac Metro Air District and pay the permit fees prior to burning. Receive a valid permit. Permits are issued for one year (July 1 – June 30).  </li><li><span class="ms-rteStyle-Bold">Receive Authorization to Burn.</span> You can only burn on legal to burn days and for authorized amounts. Call (279) 972-BURN to receive authorization to burn. Sac Metro Air District will provide you with a code word to report to fire dispatch.  </li><li><span class="ms-rteStyle-Bold">Follow your permit conditions and authorization.</span> You will be authorized to burn a specified quantity and you must adhere to all the conditions of the permit. These conditions include start and stop times. Failure to adhere to any requirement will result in a violation and penalty.​​</li></ul>
What is CalFire SRA?What is CalFire SRA?<p>SRA stands for the State Responsibility Area. CalFire SRA is the area where the State of California is financially responsible for preventing and suppressing wildfires. To check if your parcel is within the SRA, go to <a href="https://bof.fire.ca.gov/projects-and-programs/state-responsibility-area-viewer/">SRA Viewer - State of California.</a>​</p>
How do I calculate my waste acres? How do I calculate my waste acres? <p>The acreage fee is for burnable waste generated from an acre of land. For example, if you had burnable waste from 2 acres of land, the fee would be $3.50 (2 acres x $1.75/acre.)​<br></p>
How are Burn Days determined? How are Burn Days determined? <p>Sac Metro Air District uses the California Air Resources Board’s burn day status and acreage allotments, along with local air and weather forecasts to determine whether burning is allowed. You must call (279) 972-BURN to receive authorization before you burn.​</p>
When can I call Sac Metro Air District (279-972-BURN) to obtain burn day status and authorization for Agricultural Burning? When can I call Sac Metro Air District (279-972-BURN) to obtain burn day status and authorization for Agricultural Burning? <ul><li>Monday – Friday: 8 AM – 11 AM</li><li>Burn day status will be posted as early as 8 AM and no later than 9:30 AM.</li><li>You can leave a message to obtain authorization after the burn day status has been posted.</li><li>If you plan to burn on a weekend or holiday, submit you burn request 5 business days in advance. ​​</li></ul><br>
What are the different types of Agricultural Burn Days?What are the different types of Agricultural Burn Days?<p></p><ul><li><span class="ms-rteStyle-Bold">Permissive to Burn</span>: All types of agricultural burns may be conducted with a valid ag burn permit and authorization to burn from Sac Metro Air District.  </li><li><span class="ms-rteStyle-Bold">Restricted</span>: Only specific types and/or limited quantities of agricultural burning may occur, with a valid ag burn permit and authorization to burn from Sac Metro Air District.  </li><li><span class="ms-rteStyle-Bold">No Burn</span>: No outdoor burning (Agricultural or Open Burning) may be conducted. Violators will be subject to penalties​​</li></ul><p></p>
Who do I contact to get assistance?Who do I contact to get assistance?<ul><li><p>​​​E-Mail: You can contact Sac Metro Air District compliance staff at burning@airquality.org for any assistance you need. Staff will respond to your email during business hours.  </p></li><li><p>Telephone: Call (279) 972-BURN. You will have the option to speak to staff or request authorization to burn. During business hours compliance staff will answer calls when available. Messages will be returned promptly. Requests for authorization to burn will be made by leaving a message and the assigned burn day staff will call you back.​​</p></li></ul><br>
How do I get a burn permit for removing a vineyard?How do I get a burn permit for removing a vineyard?<p>​<span style="font-size:1.0667em;">To obtain a burn permit for removing a vineyard, follow these steps:</span></p><ol style="list-style-type:decimal;"><li><strong>Complete the Agricultural Burn Permit Application.</strong><br> As of October 14, 2024, the fee for vineyard removal is $1.75 per acre.</li><li><strong>Remove Prohibited Materials.</strong><br> Before removal, ensure that all prohibited materials are cleared, including as much metal as possible.</li><li><strong>Request a Pre-Inspection.</strong><br> Before the burn can be approved, a <strong>pre-inspection</strong> is required. You can request this at any time by:</li><ul style="list-style-type:circle;"><ul><ul><ul><li dir="ltr" style="text-align:left;"><strong>​​​Email:</strong> <a href="mailto:burning@airquality.org" target="_blank">burning@airquality.org</a></li><li><strong>​​​Phone:</strong> 279-972-2876</li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ol><p>If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact us at <strong>279-972-2876</strong> for assistance.<br></p><p>​</p>
What materials can I burn?What materials can I burn?<p>​<span style="font-size:1.0667em;">You are allowed to burn agribusiness waste, which includes:</span></p><ul><li>Materials produced entirely from agricultural operations</li><li>Grass and weeds from cultivated or adjacent fields</li><li>Waste directly related to growing or harvesting crops, such as:</li><ul><li>Raisin drying trays</li><li>Paper hot caps</li><li>Untreated grape stakes</li></ul></ul><p class="MsoNormal">Prohibited materials you cannot burn include, but are not limited to:</p><ul><li>Plastic </li><li>Drip irrigation equipment </li><li>Rubber and synthetic rubber materials (e.g., tires) </li><li>Landscaping vegetation </li><li>Garbage and rubbish </li><li>Shop waste, construction, and demolition materials </li><li>All types of metal, including wiring, fencing, and stakes. </li><li>Treated wood (e.g., pallets, painted or pressurized wood)</li></ul><p class="MsoNormal">For a complete list of prohibited materials, refer to <a href="/ProgramCoordination/Documents/rule501.pdf" target="_blank">Air DistrictRule 501 - Agricultural Burning.​</a><br><br></p>

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