What Is Outdoor Air Quality Enforcement?
Chapter 3 of the Montgomery County Code is the Air Quality Control Ordinance. The ordinance authorizes DEP to protect ambient (outdoor) air quality and indoor air quality in the County. It also prohibits air pollution from crossing property lines or leaseholds.
Air pollution is defined in the Air Quality Control Ordinance as the presence in the atmosphere of any substance (or combination of substances) likely to pose a health hazard to humans, plants, or animals or unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of property. Air pollutants include odors, smoke, gas, and dust.
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What Kinds of Problems Are Enforced by the Air Quality Ordinance?
Common air quality complaints include:
- Dust from a commercial operation or construction site crossing property lines
- Odors from commercial or residential activities
- Illegal open burning.
- Visible emissions (other than steam) from any installation or commercial operation
What Is Excluded from the Ordinance?
Certain emissions are specifically excluded from the Air Quality Ordinance:
- Short-term startup emissions from installations
- Emissions from food installations with an opacity of no more than 10 percent
- Emissions from residential wood stoves or indoor fireplaces
- Emissions from legal open fires
How Do I Register an Ambient Air Quality Complaint?
Report outdoor air quality violations, call 311, or email DEP at askdep@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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