Enforcement

The Maricopa County Air Quality Enforcement Division is responsible for enforcing and ensuring compliance with federal, state and county air pollution regulations. The Enforcement Division seeks to deter future air quality violations and level the playing field with compliant companies.

After an inspector has issued a Notice of Violation (NOV), the Compliance Division refers an inspection package to the Enforcement Division. Referrals will typically include photographs, the inspector’s narrative, and additional supporting evidence.

For compliance-related links, please see More Information.

Air quality enforcement is achieved through:

• Monetary penalties

• Recovery of economic gain from non-compliance activity

• Supplemental Environmental Projects [SEPs]

• MCAQD follows the EPA SEP Policy.

When calculating penalties, the Enforcement Division uses the Violation Penalty Policy and considers the following:

• Level of risk the violation posed to the community AND environment

• Toxicity of the pollutant

• History of non-compliance

• Size of the violator

• Degree to which the violator deviated from the substance and intent of the requirement

The Enforcement Division has the authority, per Arizona Revised Statutes, to recover penalties up to $10,000 per day, per violation.

Enforcement cases are published in a monthly enforcement report. Visit our News page for each report.