Agricultural Operations
SB 700 Permitting and Diesel Engine Registration Requirements in Santa Barbara County

• Introduction

• Do I Need a Local Permit?

• Register your engine now

• SB 700 Deadlines and Details

• Definitions

• Frequently Asked Questions

See this page to view APCD Rule 1201, and  this page to view Rule 213, which apply to to diesel engines used in agricultural operations, specifically to stationary and portable diesel engines rated at 50 brake horsepower or greater. See below for additional information and links.

Introduction

There are two principal State laws that may impact agricultural operations in Santa Barbara County.

1. The Airborne Toxic Control Measure for Stationary Compression Ignition Engines (Section 93115 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations), sometimes referred to as the stationary Air Toxics Control Measure (ATCM). Originally, the ATCM only regulated new stationary diesel agricultural engines over 50 horsepower, and required that engines installed after January 1, 2005 must meet new engine emission standards. However, recently amendments to the ATCM added Particulate Matter emission limits and other requirements for in-use stationary diesel agricultural engines over 50 horsepower. The in-use and new engine requirements are now effective. See this page for details on the engine registration process. 

2. Senate Bill 700 (SB 700) was signed into law in September, 2003. SB 700 repealed the permit exemption for all agricultural sources (except motor vehicles) that had existed in the California Health & Safety Code. Permitting requirements for affected sources became effective in January 2004. The APCD implements both local and federal operating permitting requirements.

Stationary ATCM / Engine Registration

The ATCM revisions require that operators of stationary engines used in agricultural operations register engines greater than 50 horsepower with the APCD by March 1, 2008 for existing engines (installed prior to 2005), by November 14, 2007 for engines installed between January 1, 2007 and August 16, 2007 and within 90 of installation of engines installed after August 16, 2007.

"Agricultural Operations" means the growing and harvesting of crops, or the raising of fowl or animals for the primary purpose of making a profit, providing a livelihood, or conducting agricultural research or instruction by an educational institution. Agricultural operations do not include activities involving the processing or distribution of crops or fowl.

The ATCM regulates new and in-use (existing prior to 2005) stationary diesel agricultural engines, and requires that engines installed after January 1, 2005 must meet new engine emission standards The revised ATCM sets a schedule for the replacement of in-use diesel agricultural engines based on the engines’ emission profile, with the oldest and dirtiest engines (pre-1996 vintage) scheduled to be replaced starting December 31, 2010. Some categories of diesel engine use are specifically exempt from the emission limits of the ATCM, including diesel engines that power wind machines and agricultural emergency standby generators.

For further details, click on the Diesel Engine Registration tab at the top of this page or see this page.

SB 700

SB 700 repealed the permit exemption for all agricultural sources (except motor vehicles) which had existed in the California Health & Safety Code. An "agricultural source of air pollution’’ or ‘‘agricultural source’’ means a source of air pollution or a group of sources used in the production of crops, or the raising of fowl or animals located on contiguous property under common ownership or control. {click on definitions tab above for additional information }.

In Santa Barbara County, emissions thresholds that trigger permits are high compared to other more polluted areas of California (e.g., the San Joaquin Valley). The following criteria apply in Santa Barbara County:

• Agricultural sources that have the potential to emit greater than 100 tons per year must receive federal Title V operating permits unless actual emissions are documented to be 50 tons per year or less.
   
• Agricultural sources that have actual emissions greater than 50 tons per year are subject to APCD permits unless the APCD finds that they are not necessary and that they would be disproportionately burdensome.
   
• On June 23, 2005, the California Air Resources Board adopted a definition of what constitutes a large confined animal facility (CAF) for various livestock categories. Any CAF that locates in Santa Barbara County and meets the large definition could be subject to permitting and/or best management practices.

The primary source of pollutants that drives emissions from farm operations is internal combustion engines. Farm operations smaller than 2000 acres will likely escape permit requirements in Santa Barbara County unless a large concentration of engine horsepower produces emissions exceeding the above thresholds.

To obtain additional information on SB 700 permit requirements:

• Download fact sheet on local permits for agricultural businesses (PDF file): facts-ag.pdf.
   
• Find out if you need a local permit here, and see local permit forms here.
   
• View information on Title V (federal permits) on these pages: federal permit forms, or in general information brochure (PDF file): sb700brochure.pdf, or check our emission calculator here.

Does SB 700 Include my Agricultural Operation?

*May be subject to permitting under existing APCD rules.