Permitting
& Compliance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Complaints
How can I register an Air Quality Complaint? What information do
I need to provide when registering a complaint?
Call the Air Quality Division’s 24-hour complaint line at 727-464-4422 or to file complaint on line click here.
- Clearly
state your name, telephone number, and full street address;
- Describe
the problem [smoke, odor, dust, etc.] and the impact;
- State the
time and date when the problem occurred, and whether it is happening
at the time of your call;
- State whether
this problem has occurred in the past, and if so, when;
- State the
direction the wind was blowing from at the time the problem occurred;
- State how
long the problem lasted; and
- If you
know the source of the alleged problem, state the business name or resident’s
name and address.
How long will it take the Division to respond to my complaint?
The Division tries to respond to all complaints in a timely manner; usually
not later than three business days after receiving the complaint. However,
based on the number of complaints received at any given time, it is not
always possible to respond within 72 hours.
Will the Division Inspector contact me after their complaint investigation?
Yes. It is the Division’s policy to contact all complainants and
inform them of the results of the investigation, provided the complainant
has left their telephone number.
If I leave my name, number and address, is my information confidential?
The Division does not give out information about the individual who filed
the complaint while the inspector is in the field. However, in the State
of Florida, citizen complaints are part of the public record. As such,
concerned parties can access citizen complaint records by coming to the
Air Quality Division in person, or by submitting a written request for
a copy of the citizen complaint.
What types of complaints does the Division respond to?
The Division is concerned with all complaints related to outdoor air quality
issues.
Can I file a complaint without giving my name and phone number?
Yes. The Division investigates anonymous complaints. However, the inspector
will not be able to inform you of the results. If you want to know the
results of the Division’s investigation, you will have to call the
Division.
Smoke
and Odors
Can the Division do anything about my neighbor burning trash in their
backyard?
Open burning activities are regulated by local fire departments. With
a few exceptions allowed under the regulations, open burning is prohibited
throughout Pinellas County. Call the fire department of jurisdiction regarding
your neighbors trash burning. In general, the only time the burning of
household trash is permissible is when regularly scheduled trash pickup
service is not available that area.
What about smoke and odors from backyard barbecues?
Barbecue cookers are not exempt from causing a nuisance odor. If a sufficient
number of complaints, representing different households, are reported
to the Division, and an Inspector witnesses the problem, the Division
can issue a Warning Letter.
What can the Division do about smoke and odors from restaurants?
A Division Inspector can often resolve these complaints by making the
source aware of the problem and letting them know a complaint has been
registered. A restaurant can change its operating practices, improve maintenance
of its cooking equipment, or install odor control equipment. Restaurants
are not exempt from causing nuisance odors. If a sufficient number of
complaints, representing different households, are reported to the Division
and an Inspector witnesses the problem, the Division can issue a Warning
Letter.
Dust
What can the Division do to stop dust from a construction site?
The Division responds to dust complaints and, if necessary, informs sources
the problem needs to be abated. In the case of a construction site, the
Division will request reasonable precautions be taken to keep dust to
a minimum. Ways to reduce dust include using water trucks, restricting
earthmoving activities to times when the wind is low, and altering work
practices.
What can the Division do to stop dust from a business?
The Division will inspect a permitted business to determine whether the
business is complying with air permit conditions and/or the Pinellas County
Code. If the company is operating in violation of its air permit or the
County Code or if they are creating a dust nuisance, the Division can
issue a Warning Letter. The Division can also issue Warning Letters to
businesses that are creating a dust nuisance, but do not have an air permit.
What is Urban Fallout? Pinellas County is three times more densely populated than any other County
in the State of Florida. Coinciding with our tightly packed population
are all the activities associated with a thriving metropolis. Lots and
lots of roads, constant traffic flows, construction sites, even lawn mowing,
contributes to the formation of a fine airborne dust. As this fine dust
settles out of the air, it comes to rest on our cars, window sills, screens,
etc. This light dust is often referred to as Urban Fallout.
GENERAL QUESTIONS (FAQ's)
Are
there regulations on Chlorofluorocarbons for auto, commercial, and home
air conditioning systems?
Call the
United States Environmental Protection Agency 
at 1-800-296-1996, or
the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, SW District at (813)
744-6100 extension 125.
I need information on the Clean Indoor Air Law and smoking in public
areas.
For information on the Florida
Clean Indoor Air Act (FCIAA), call 1-800-337-3742. For smoking in
restaurants, call the Florida Department of Business and Professional
Regulation at 727- 272-2200, or for smoking in non-restaurant public
buildings, call Pinellas County Public Health Unit at 727- 588-4032.
I would like to get involved in a carpool.
For information on commuting alternatives call Bay
Area Commuter Services at 1-800-998-7433.
What if I suspect someone is committing an air pollution violation?
Call the Pinellas County Air Quality Division’s Compliance Section
at 727- 464-4422.
How can I get pollen count data?
Call us at 727-464-3392 or visit the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology for additional information.
Excessive smoke from cars or trucks bothers me. Where can I report
it?
Call the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) at 727- 538-7256.
Where can I find out about radon?
Call the Pinellas County Public Health Unit (HRS) at
727- 507-4336 or the Florida
Department of Health at
850- 245-4444.
I have questions about air toxics and asbestos regulations?
Call the Pinellas County Air Quality Division’s Air Toxics Section
at 727- 464-4422.
Refer to these web site pages, (Air Quality Toxics
Page) or (Air Quality Asbestos Page)
What about indoor air quality?
Try
this site!
Common
Questions on the Asbestos National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air
Pollutants (NESHAP’s)
EPA Frequently
Asked Questions
How do I register an air quality complaint?
What about smoke and odors?
Can anything be done about dust?
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