Maintaining Clean Air for Lake County
Lake County Ranks in Top 25 Cleanest Air County’s Nationwide
Thanks to the Lake County Air Quality Management District’s (LCAQMD) leadership in air quality community awareness, clean air regulation, emissions reductions, and many other specialized air monitoring, Lake County ranks 23rd cleanest county in the nation.
The LCAQMD’s mission is to ensure healthy air in Lake County by regulating pollution sources and enforcing local, state and federal air quality laws. The agency ensures compliance with Ambient Air Quality Standards (AAQSs), Clean Air Act, Air Toxic Control Measures and associated regulations to protect the public from toxic air contaminants.
The Lake County Air Basin covers the entire county and is recognized by federal and state agencies. The LCAQMD is an independent regional agency that regulates stationary sources of pollution:
Industrial developments such as the Geysers Geothermal Power Generation
Generators and direct drive pumps
Mining, aggregate, concrete and asphalt production
Abrasive blasting, autobody and cabinet shops
Water and sewer facilities
Welding shops, coffee roasters, landfills
Gasoline stations and bulk fuel facilities, including propane
Other sources emitting air contaminants
The LCAQMD also regulates open burning and enforces programs under State Air Toxic Control Measures and Federal New Source Performance Standards. The LCAQMD Board of Directors is the ex-officio County Board of Supervisors. The LCAQMD does not regulate indoor air or workplace exposures.
With over 90% of Californians breathing unhealthy air, air pollution poses serious health risks, especially for children, the elderly and vulnerable groups. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) sets standards for pollutants such as ozone and fine particles, identifying nearly 200 toxics, many with no safe exposure level. Diesel exhaust accounts for a significant portion of cancer risk, and climate change worsens threats through extreme heat, allergens and disease-carrying pests.
The LCAQMD works with CARB to reduce air pollution from all sources. Click here to learn more information about common air pollutants and their health effects.
Lake County earned national recognition for its exceptional air quality. On April 24, 2025, the American Lung Association (ALA) ranked us 23rd cleanest county in the nation for PM2.5 in the State of the Air Report 2025, awarding an “A” for ozone and a “B” for short-term particulate pollution. Despite past wildfires, recent improvements have kept Lake County ozone exceedance-free from 2021–2023, meeting federal and state air standards for 35 consecutive years.
The LCAQMD’s leadership in air quality community awareness, clean air regulation, emissions reductions, ambient air quality monitoring, Geothermal Air Monitoring, other specialized air monitoring, source testing, and in providing guidance to residents and businesses to maintain healthful air quality set us apart—no other Air District in California can match our record.
The report can be found at: https://www.lung.org/research/sota.
To maintain clean air and protect community health, the LCAQMD works hard to comply with State and Federal programs, including burn regulations. Starting in 2025, minor changes to the burn program result in the Lake County Burn Ban ending annually on November 1, with select holidays designated as no-burn days to protect community air quality.
Starting November 1, the public can obtain burn permits for residential and agricultural burning online through any device that can connect to the internet. Public computers at local libraries provide access for those without internet.
Burn permits are required for all outdoor burning in the Lake County Air Basin. Residential and Agricultural burn permits are issued after completing the application form at WWW.LCAQMD.NET and paying the fee online. For questions or assistance, call (707) 263-7000.
A Smoke Management Plan Permit from the LCAQMD is required for any of the following:
Complaint History
Fire Agency Request
Multi-Day or Overnight Burning
Smoke Impact Potential
Tule Burning
Piles > 10 Feet Diameter
More Than 1 Acre of Standing Vegetation, Whole Vines, or Whole Trees
Call the LCAQMD’s office at (707) 263-7000 to schedule an appointment for a smoke management plan. Provide parcel details, map, GPS coordinates and vegetation details. Only clean, dry, vegetation grown on site may be burned. Residential burns require 1.0 acre or greater parcel size, burn piles must be 100 feet from neighbors and 30 feet from structures. Follow permit conditions to avoid fines, liability and health risks. Composting or local green waste collection is encouraged as alternatives.
The District is self-supporting and does not receive tax dollars or vehicle fees. Funding comes from state subvention, permit fees, fines and grants. Subvention provides less than 10% of the budget; grants and penalties are variable, and permit fees are the primary source of funding to pay for all mandated programs. The LCAQMD has diligently maintained operations despite increasing regulations, costs and reduced staffing.
2025 Burn Permit fees:
Residential burn permits: $63
Agricultural burn permits: $94
Smoke Management Plans: $125+, varying by size and type
Other fees for special permits or exemptions are posted at https://lcaqmd.net/
Payments can be made in-person (cash, check, money order) or through the online permit system (credit card).
The LCAQMD’s success reflects strong community support, collaboration with local government, fire agencies, agriculture, industry, the Board of Directors, and the dedication of LCAQMD staff, thus ensuring Lake County continues to breathe clean, safe, and healthy air.