Reno/Sparks, Nev. June 30, 2022 – The Washoe County Health District – Air Quality Management Division (AQMD) is providing the residents of Washoe County notice that the revisions to the regulations governing wood-burning devices will take effect July 1st.
Proposed changes to the regulation were approved by the District Board of Health (DBOH) in February of 2022 with an effective date of July 1, 2022. The revision to the regulation has better defined exemptions to the removal requirements, clearly described wood-burning device allowances for various parcel sizes and provided further transparency to the requirements for the different processes covered under the regulation.
“The division is excited to begin implementing these improvements to what has already proven to be a successful program for us in combating wintertime particulate emissions,” said Francisco Vega, Division Director for AQMD. “I am confident that residents will find the additional transparency to the regulation and additional compliance options helpful while aiding the division in reducing emissions.”
Based on 2020 emissions inventory, it’s estimated that there are about 19,000 wood burning devices in Washoe County.
Updated forms for the wood-burning device program in addition to forms associated with other programs are available here. Fees will increase starting July 1, 2022. Fees associated with the various programs can be found here.
AQMD implements clean air solutions that protect the quality of life for the citizens of Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through community partnerships along with programs and services such as air monitoring, permitting and compliance, planning, and public education. The AQMD is delegated authority to implement the Clean Air Act (CAA) by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As part of the delegation, the AQMD must have regulations in place that demonstrate how the division plans on maintaining the health based National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Visit OurCleanAir.com for additional information on the Air Quality Management Division.
The Washoe County Health District is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making Washoe County District Board of Health. The District consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here.