| 01. What types of concerns should I report? | 01. What types of concerns should I report? | <p>Report issues such as smoke, strong
or unusual odors, outdoor burning, excessive dust, trackout from
construction sites, idling vehicles, visible emissions, or any other
activities that may be affecting outdoor air quality.<br></p><p>Indoor air quality issues related to smoking or cooking are
generally not regulated by the Sac Metro Air District.</p> |
| 02. Can I remain anonymous when submitting a complaint? | 02. Can I remain anonymous when submitting a complaint? | <p>Yes. While providing your contact information can help inspectors follow up, you may submit an anonymous complaint if you prefer.</p> |
| 03. What happens after I submit a complaint? | 03. What happens after I submit a complaint? | <p>The Air District reviews each complaint and may conduct an investigation based on the information provided. The response and investigation process may vary depending on the nature and location of the concern.</p> |
| 04. Will I receive a response to my complaint? | 04. Will I receive a response to my complaint? | <p>If you indicate that you would like to be contacted, Air District staff will follow up by phone or email with the results of the complaint investigation. Staff may also reach out if additional information is needed, and you have provided your contact details. Anonymous complaints are welcome; however, we are unable to provide updates without contact information.</p> |
| 05. What does the Air District do with complaints? | 05. What does the Air District do with complaints? | <p>The Sac Metro Air District reviews every complaint to identify potential air quality concerns, track trends, and determine whether further investigation or inspection is needed. Complaint information helps guide our response efforts and supports enforcement of air quality regulations to protect public health.<br></p> |
| 06. What should I do if I have concerns about outdoor burning? | 06. What should I do if I have concerns about outdoor burning? | <p>Outdoor burning can produce smoke that harms air quality and public health, and several regulations limit when burning can occur in Sacramento County. Please visit our <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=daa912b4-bd40-4aee-b24a-18038b7ec462&TermSetId=86f19943-ba4b-4973-93fd-2cccca555f2d&TermId=ae7a0646-2d47-4fc9-9453-f2be585d74cf" target="_blank">Outdoor Burning</a> webpage to learn more about legal burning. You can file a complaint if you are seeing illegal burning. You may also call 279‑207‑1122 ext. 14 to speak directly with program staff. <br></p> |
| 07. How do I report a smoking vehicle? | 07. How do I report a smoking vehicle? | <p>Call the California Air Resources Board to report smoking vehicles at (800) 363-7664 or visit <a href="https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/environmental-complaints" target="_blank">Smoking Vehicle Complaint Program</a> on their website.<br></p> |
| 08. How do I report an idiling heavy duty vehicle? | 08. How do I report an idiling heavy duty vehicle? | <p>Complaints regarding excessive idling of commercial vehicles may be submitted directly to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) through its idling <a href="https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/complaints-idling-vehicles" target="_blank">Commercial Vehicle Complaint Program</a>. CARB investigates these complaints and has access to vehicle registration information needed to follow up with vehicle owners.</p><p>If the complaint occurs within the City of Sacramento, additional local ordinances may apply. Contact the City of Sacramento by calling 311 (within city limits) or (916) 264-5011 for information regarding local idling requirements.</p><p>The Air District also accepts idling complaints via the online complaint form and may investigate or refer complaints to the appropriate agency as needed.<br></p> |
| 09. Why is it important for me to report strong odors? | 09. Why is it important for me to report strong odors? | <div><p>Odor complaints help the Sac Metro Air District identify potential air quality issues, investigate possible permit violations, and ensure facilities in the region are following required regulations. Community reports provide valuable, real‑time information that strengthens our ability to respond effectively.<br></p></div> |
| 10. Why do I sometimes smell rendering odors in my neighborhood and can I submit a complaint? | 10. Why do I sometimes smell rendering odors in my neighborhood and can I submit a complaint? | <p>Rendering odors may
be noticeable in areas surrounding the Sacramento Rendering Company (SRC). The
Sac Metro Air District is aware of these odors and uses community reports to
help enforce SRC’s permit conditions. We encourage you to submit a complaint whenever
strong odors are detected. It’s best to submit your complaint while you are
actively smelling the odor.<br></p><p>When filing a complaint,
please include:</p><p></p><ul><li><p>Where you detected the
odor (your address, a nearby park, or a neighborhood intersection)</p></li><li><p>The time you noticed the odor</p></li><li><p>A brief description of the smell</p></li></ul><p>For additional
information on SRC’s facility emissions, health risk assessments, community
meetings, and the Air District’s oversight of SRC, please review the resources
below:</p><p><span style="font-family:calibri, sans-serif;"></span></p><ul style="margin:0in 15px 15px 20px;counter-reset:item 0;"><li><p><a href="/StationarySources/Documents/SMAQMD%20SRC%20Public%20Meeting%2011.9.16%20final%20pdf.pdf" target="_blank">November 9, 2016 Rancho Cordova Community Meeting (Presentation)</a></p></li><li><p><a href="/StationarySources/Documents/Sacramento%20Rendering%204%20Scrubbers.pdf" target="_blank">SRC Emission Source Test Results</a></p></li><li><p><a href="/StationarySources/Documents/Sacramento%20Rendering%20Company%20HRA.pdf" target="_blank">Sac Metro Air District Health Risk Assessment</a></p></li><li><p><a href="/StationarySources/Documents/SMAQMD%20SRC%20Public%20Meeting%202017%20presentation.pdf" target="_blank">July 31, 2017 Rancho Cordova Community Follow-up Meeting (Presentation)</a><br></p></li></ul><span style="font-family:calibri, sans-serif;"></span><p></p> |
| 11. What are the Air District's regulations regarding leaf blowers and where do I report a complaint? | 11. What are the Air District's regulations regarding leaf blowers and where do I report a complaint? | <p>The District has no regulations that specifically prohibit the use of portable leaf blowers. </p><p>Additional information is provided in the following documents:</p><ul><li><p><a href="/StationarySources/Documents/Leaf%20Blower%20FAQ%20Final%20Mar%202021.pdf" target="_blank">Portable Leaf Blower FAQs</a><br></p></li><li><p><a href="/StationarySources/Documents/Regulatory%20authority%20over%20leaf%20blowers%20final.pdf" target="_blank">Sac Metro Air District's regulatory authority over leaf blowers</a></p></li></ul><p>Complaints about leaf blower use should be submitted directly to the City of Sacramento. The City is responsible for enforcing the Leaf Blower Ordinance, and its FAQ (<a href="http://www.cityofsacramento.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/CDD/Code-Compliance/Programs/Portable-Blowers/Portable-Blower-FAQs.pdf?la=en" target="_blank">click here</a>) provides instructions for filing a complaint. Their materials are also available in Spanish (<a href="/StationarySources/Documents/AQMD_STA_LeafBlowerFAQ_SPANISH_6-21_v2.pdf" target="_blank">click here</a>).<br></p> |
| 12. Who should I report an aircraft contrails concern to? | 12. Who should I report an aircraft contrails concern to? | <p>Contact the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/transportation-air-pollution-and-climate-change" target="_blank">EPA Stratospheric Protection</a> Hotline at (800) 296-1996.</p> |
