Call the Small Business Assistance Office
at 800-388-2121 or 909-396-3529 
If we can't help you, we'll find someone who can!

NOTICE: Due to public health concerns regarding COVID-19 and as part of efforts to minimize potential risk and exposure, the Small Business Assistance Office is only providing assistance via telephone or email at this time. For assistance, please call 1-800-388-2121 or email smallbizassistance@aqmd.gov.

Our staff will show you the most effective means of complying with South Coast AQMD Rules and Regulations. The South Coast AQMD Small Business Assistance Office helps small business owners to comply with South Coast AQMD rules and regulations, permit conditions, and recordkeeping through a variety of services offered.  We help small business operators find out which rules apply to their operations, how to meet South Coast AQMD requirements, and how to keep records.  We act as advocates for the small business owners/operators within South Coast AQMD.  Just give us a call and we will respond to your request ASAP.

If you need to find out which rules affect you or have any other compliance issues, we provide free technical consultations either on-site, by phone, through e-mail, or at South Coast AQMD Headquarters on request.  We will help with permit applications as well as provide compliance assistance.

Watch our video to see how a free consultation could help your business:

Variance Petitions

If you cannot comply with air pollution control laws, and you need temporary relief while working toward a solution without being subject to penalties, you may need to obtain a variance. We provide assistance to small businesses in preparing for variance petition filings with the Hearing Board.

Dry Cleaner Grant Program

Grants for dry cleaners are no longer available.

The Dry-Cleaning Grant Program issued close to $3.9 million dollars in funding to dry-cleaners and assisted over 650 businesses transition from perchloroethylene, a toxic air contaminant, to non-toxic dry-cleaning processes. 

Fee Review Committee

The South Coast AQMD fee review committee resolves permit fee issues between regulated businesses and the South Coast AQMD.  We assist small business owners in filing for a Fee Review request.

Clearance Letter Program

For city and county staff, California state law requires that business owners need to comply with the applicable permitting/registration requirements of the South Coast AQMD prior to the granting of an occupancy permit. This Air Quality Permit checklist will help to determine what is necessary to obtain clearance from South Coast AQMD.

Events

South Coast AQMD hosts various small business events throughout the year which provide a bridge for communication between business owners, South Coast AQMD staff, and South Coast AQMD Board members. Please join us at these events, which are usually free of charge, and give us your feedback.

Contact Us

If your business needs South Coast AQMD assistance, please contact one of our small business assistance staff or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for further information.

SBA Flyers:

• SBA Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

• SBA Frequently Asked Questions (Spanish) (PDF)

• Free Help for Small Businesses (PDF)

• Free Help for Small Businesses (Spanish) (PDF)