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RULE 2020 EXEMPTIONS (Adopted September 19, 1991; Amended July 16, 1992; Amended 

December 17, 1992; Amended October 21, 1993; Amended July 21, 1994; 

Amended September 17, 1998; Amended June 21, 2001; Amended March 21, 

2002; Amended December 19, 2002; Amended September 21, 2006; Amended 

December 20, 2007; Amended August 18, 2011) 

1.0 Purpose 

This rule specifies emissions units that are not required to obtain an Authority to Construct 

or Permit to Operate. This rule also specifies the recordkeeping requirements to verify the 

exemption and outlines the compliance schedule for emissions units that lose the 

exemption after installation. 

2.0 Applicability 

 This rule shall apply to any source that emits or may emit air contaminants. 

3.0 Definitions 

 3.1 Agricultural Source: equipment or operations that emit air contaminants and that 

are used in the production of crops or the raising of fowl or animals. 

3.2 Clean Produced Water: as defined in Rule 1020 (Definitions). 

 3.3 Emissions Unit: as defined in Rule 2201 (New and Modified Stationary Source 

Review Rule). 

 

 3.4 HAP: a hazardous air pollutant listed in Section 112(b) of the federal Clean Air 

Act or the lists prepared by the California Air Resources Board pursuant to Section 

44321 of the California Health and Safety Code that have OEHHA approved 

health risk values. 

 3.5 HAP Source: an emissions unit that is subject to an emissions limitation, a 

performance standard, work practice standard, or other requirements under an 

applicable provision of any of the following regulations: 

 3.5.1 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPS), 

Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standard, or other 

requirements promulgated pursuant to Section 112 of the federal Clean Air 

Act (42 U.S. Code, 7401, et. seq.). 

 3.5.2 Airborne Toxic Control Measures (ATCM) adopted by the California Air 

Resources Board in accordance with requirements of Section 39658 of the 

California Health and Safety Code. 
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3.5.3 A rule contained in Regulation VII (Toxic Air Pollutants) of the District 

Rules and Regulations. 

3.6 Indirect Heat Transfer System: a heat transfer system in which the products of 

combustion do not come into direct contact with the material being heated. 

3.7 Location: any single site at a building, structure, facility, or installation. 

3.8 Low Emitting Unit: an emissions unit with an uncontrolled emissions rate of each 

air contaminant, 

 

 3.8.1 Less than or equal to two pounds per day, or 

 3.8.2 If greater than two pounds per day, is less than or equal to 75 pounds per 

year. 

3.9 Major Source: as defined in Rule 2201 (New and Modified Stationary Source 

Review Rule). 

 3.10 NSPS Source: an emissions unit that is subject to an emissions limitation, 

performance standard, work practice standard, or other requirements under an 

applicable provision of 40 CFR, Part 60, New Source Performance Standards 

(NSPS). 

3.11 Portable Emissions Unit: as defined in Rule 2280 (Portable Equipment 

Registration). 

3.12 Reconstructed Stationary Source: a Reconstructed Stationary Source as defined in 

Rule 2201 (New and Modified Stationary Source Review), or a Reconstruction as 

defined in 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart A. 

3.13 Roadmix: a mixture of tank bottoms from crude oil storage tanks, material from 

crude oil spills, or other crude-oil-containing soil mixed with aggregates and soils, 

that is used as a base or cover material for roads, parking lots, berms, tank and 

well locations, or similar applications. 

3.14 Routine Replacement: as defined in Rule 2201 (New and Modified Stationary 

Source Review). 

3.15 Stationary Source: as defined in Rule 2201 (New and Modified Stationary Source 

Review). 

 3.16 True Vapor Pressure: as defined in Rule 4623 (Storage of Organic Liquids). 

 
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3.17 Unloading Rack: any aggregate or combination of equipment or control 

equipment that unloads organic liquid into a storage tank from tank trucks, trailers, 

or railroad tank cars. The unloading rack is the portion of the connection system 

from the connection at the inlet of the organic liquid pump to and including the 

hose and connector at the delivery tank. 

3.18 Wind Machine: a machine consisting of a large fan mounted on a tower and 

powered by an internal combustion engine, used exclusively to provide frost 

protection to agricultural crops by affecting a heat transfer by moving warmer 

atmospheric air downward and mixing it with the colder air surrounding a crop. 

4.0 Precluded Source Categories 

 No Authority to Construct or Permit to Operate shall be required for the following source 

categories that are specifically precluded from District permitting requirements by state or 

federal law: 

 4.1 Any structure designed for and used exclusively as a dwelling for not more than 

four families and any incinerator used exclusively in connection with such 

structure (California Health and Safety Code Section 42310(b) and (c)). 

 4.2 Barbecue equipment that is not used for commercial purposes, (California Health 

and Safety Code Section 42310(d)). 

 4.3 Motor vehicles as defined by the Vehicle Code of the State of California 

(California Health and Safety Code, Section 42310(a)), but not including any 

emissions unit mounted on such vehicle that would otherwise require a permit 

under the provisions of the District Rules and Regulations. 

4.4 Locomotives, airplanes, and watercraft used to transport passengers or freight. 

This exemption is not intended to apply to equipment used for the dredging of 

waterways or to equipment used in pile driving adjacent to or in waterways. 

5.0 District Permit Exemptions 

An Authority to Construct or Permit to Operate shall not be required for an emissions unit 

covered under District Exempt Source Categories listed in Sections 6.0 or 7.0, unless one 

or more of the following is true: 

 5.1 The source is a NSPS source; 

 5.2 The source is a HAP source; 
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 5.3 The APCO makes a determination that a permit shall be required because the 

source may not operate in compliance with all District rules and regulations; or 

 5.4 The owner specifically requests a Permit to Operate. 

6.0 District Exempt Source Categories 

 Except as required by Section 5.0, no Authority to Construct or Permit to Operate shall be 

required for an emission unit specified below. All other equipment within that source 

category shall require an ATC or PTO. 

 6.1 Combustion and Heat Transfer Systems 

 6.1.1 Steam generators, steam superheaters, water boilers, water heaters, steam 

cleaners, and closed indirect heat transfer systems that have a maximum 

input heat rating of 5,000,000 Btu per hour (gross) or less and is equipped 

to be fired exclusively with: 

6.1.1.1 Natural gas containing no more than five (5) percent by weight 

hydrocarbons heavier than butane and no more than 1.0 grain of 

total sulfur per 100 standard cubic feet of gas; or 

 

6.1.1.2 Liquefied petroleum gas containing no more than two (2) 

percent by volume hydrocarbons heavier than butane and no 

more than 15 grains of total sulfur per 100 standard cubic feet 

of gas; or 

6.1.1.3 Any combination of gases specified in Sections 6.1.1.1 and 

6.1.1.2. 

6.1.1.4 The percent by weight hydrocarbons content heavier than 

butane shall be determined by using the latest version of ASTM 

E-260 (Standard Practice for Packed Column Gas 

Chromatography). 

6.1.1.5 The gas sulfur content shall be determined by using the latest 

version of ASTM D-1072 (Standard Test Method for Total 

Sulfur in Fuel Gases by Combustion and Barium Chloride 

Titration), ASTM D-3246 (Standard Test Method for Sulfur in 

Petroleum Gas by Oxidative Microcoulometry), or ASTM D6228 (Standard Test Method for Determination of Sulfur 

Compounds in Natural Gas and Gaseous Fuels by Gas 

Chromatography and Flame Photometric Detection). 
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6.1.1.6 Test methods other than specified in Section 6.1.1.4 or Section 

6.1.1.5 may be used provided they have been approved, in 

writing, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA) and the District Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO). 

 6.1.2 Piston type internal combustion engines with a manufacturer's maximum 

continuous rating of 50 braking horsepower (bhp) or less. 

6.1.3 Gas turbine engines with a maximum heat input rating of 3,000,000 Btu 

per hour or less at ISO Standard Day Conditions. 

6.1.4 Equipment used exclusively for space heating, other than boilers. 

6.1.5 Multiple chambered or equivalent incinerators used to destroy animals 

from a wildlife habitat for the sole purpose of disease control, as authorized 

by a public official. 

6.1.6 Wind machines. 

6.2 Cooling Towers: Water cooling towers that have a circulation rate of less than 

10,000 gallons per minute, and that are not used for cooling of process water, 

water from barometric jets, or water from barometric condensers. 

6.3 Graphic Arts Equipment: Printing, coating, or laminating facility with a total 

graphic arts material usage of: 

6.3.1 Less than or equal to two gallons per any day, or 

6.3.2 If greater than two gallons per day, is less than or equal to 30 gallons per 

year. 

6.3.3 Graphic arts materials are any ink, coating, adhesive, fountain solution, 

thinner, retarder, or cleaning solution. 

6.4 Food Processing Equipment 

6.4.1 Equipment, excluding charbroilers subject to Rule 4692 (Commercial 

Charbroiling) and boilers, used in eating establishments or other retail 

establishments for the purpose of preparing food for human consumption. 

 6.4.2 Mixers and blenders used in bakeries where the products are edible and 

intended for human consumption. 
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 6.4.3 Ovens at bakeries provided that the total production from the bakery is less 

than 1,000 pounds of product per operating day and the oven is fired solely 

on natural gas and the oven has a rating less than 5 MMBtu per hour. 

 6.4.4 Smokehouses for preparing food in which the maximum horizontal inside 

cross-sectional area does not exceed 20 square feet. 

6.5 Plastic/Rubber Processing: Emissions units used exclusively for the extruding or 

the compression molding of rubber products or plastics, where no plasticizer or 

blowing agent is present. 

6.6 Storage Equipment: Containers, reservoirs, or tanks used exclusively for: 

6.6.1 The storage or processing of clean produced water as represented in Figure 

1 as being below the oil/water line. 

 6.6.2 The storage of crude oil with 0.8762 specific gravity or higher (30oAPI or 

lower) as measured by test method API 2547 or ASTM D-1298-80, having 

a capacity of 100 bbl or less, and is not subject to a VOC control 

requirement of Rule 4623 (Storage of Organic Liquids). 

 6.6.3 The storage of crude oil with specific gravity lower than 0.8762 (greater 

than 30oAPI) as measured by test method API 2547 or ASTM D-1298-80, 

and existing before June 1, 1989, having a capacity of 100 bbl or less, and 

is not subject to a VOC control requirement of Rule 4623 (Storage of 

Organic Liquids). This exemption shall not apply to a new tank installed 

after June 1, 1989. 

6.6.4 The storage of organic material with a capacity of 250 gallons or less 

where the actual storage temperature does not exceed 150oF. 

6.6.5 The unheated storage of organic material with an initial boiling point of 

302oF or greater as measured by test method ASTM D-86. 

6.6.6 The storage of fuel oils or non-air-blown asphalt with 0.9042 specific 

gravity or higher (25oAPI or lower) as measured by test method API 2547 

or ASTM D-1298-80. 

6.6.7 The storage of petroleum distillates used as motor fuel with 0.8251 specific 

gravity or higher (40oAPI or lower) as measured by test method API 2547 

or ASTM D-1298-80 and having a capacity of 19,800 gallons (471 bbl) or 

less. 

6.6.8 The storage of refined lubricating oils. 
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6.6.9 The storage of liquefied gases in unvented (except for emergency pressure 

relief valves) pressure vessels. 

6.6.10 The storage of produced fluids in portable tanks, to be used for less than 

six months at any one (1) location and is not subject to a VOC control 

requirement of Rule 4623 (Storage of Organic Liquids). 

6.6.11 Mobile transport, delivery, or cargo tanks on vehicles for delivery of 

VOCs. 

6.7 Transfer Equipment 

6.7.1 Loading racks, as defined in Rule 1020 (Definitions), and unloading racks 

that are: 

6.7.1.1 At a location that, in total, transfers less than 4,000 gallons in any 

one day of organic material through all loading and unloading 

racks, and the organic material is exclusively: 

6.7.1.1.1 Unheated organic materials with an initial boiling point 

of 302oF or greater as measured by test method ASTM 

D-86, or 

6.7.1.1.2 Fuel oil with 0.8251 specific gravity or higher (40oAPI 

or lower) as measured by test method API 2547 or 

ASTM D-1298-80. 

6.7.1.2 Used exclusively for the transfer of: 

6.7.1.2.1 Crude oil, asphalt, or residual oil stored in tanks not 

required to be permitted in accordance with this rule; 

or 

6.7.1.2.2 Crude oil with 0.8762 specific gravity or higher 

(30oAPI or lower) as measured by test method API 

2547 or ASTM D-1298-80 and the crude oil has TVP 

less than 1.5 psia at the storage container’s maximum 

organic liquid storage temperature. 

 6.7.1.3 Attached to an organic material delivery vehicle and used 

exclusively for the transfer of crude oil, asphalt, or residual oil. 

6.7.2 Equipment used exclusively for the transfer of refined lubricating oil. 
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6.7.3 The TVP of an organic liquid shall be determined by measuring the Reid 

Vapor Pressure (RVP) using ASTM D 323-94 (Test Method for Vapor 

Pressure for Petroleum Products), and converting the RVP to TVP at the 

tank’s maximum organic liquid storage temperature. The conversion of 

RVP to TVP shall be performed in accordance with the procedures in the 

oil and gas section of “ARB Technical Guidance Document to the 

Criteria and Guidelines Regulation for AB 2588”, dated August 1989. 

6.7.4 The latest version of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory “Test 

Method for Vapor Pressure of Reactive Organic Compounds in Heavy 

Crude Oil Using Gas Chromatograph”, as approved by ARB and EPA, 

shall be used to determine the TVP of crude oil with an API gravity of 

26 degrees or less, or for any API gravity that is specified in this test 

method. 

6.7.5 Test method other than specified in Section 6.7.3 and 6.7.4 may be used 

provided it has been approved, in writing, by the United States 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the District Air Pollution 

Control Officer (APCO). 

6.8 Surface Coating Operations 

6.8.1 Application equipment for architectural surface coatings used for 

commercial or residential applications. Architectural surface coating is 

defined as any coating applied to stationary structures and their 

appurtenances, to mobile homes, to pavements, or to curbs. This 

exemption does not apply to coating application equipment used in the 

manufacturing of architectural components and appurtenances that are 

coated before their installation as part of a structure. 

6.8.2 Surface coating operations, except for powder coating operations, which 

use less than one quart of coating per day or less than eight gallons of 

coating per year. 

6.8.3 Powder coating operations that use less than five pounds of coating 

material per day or less than fifty pounds of coating material per year. 

 6.9 Solvent Cleaning Operations 

 Unheated, nonconveyorized cleaning equipment (not including the control 

enclosures): 

 6.9.1 With an open surface area of 10.0 square feet or less, and internal volume 

of 92.5 gallons or less; 
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 6.9.2 Using only organic solvents with an initial boiling point of 248oF or 

greater as determined by ASTM 1078-78; and 

 6.9.3 From which less than 25 gallons of solvent per year are lost to the 

atmosphere from all such equipment at the stationary source. Solvent lost 

shall not include solvent that is recycled or disposed of properly. Any 

person claiming exemption pursuant to this section shall maintain adequate 

monthly records to substantiate their exempt status. 

6.10 Brazing, soldering, or welding equipment. 

 6.11 Equipment used exclusively to compress or hold dry natural gas. Any internal 

combustion engine or other emissions unit associated with the operation that would 

otherwise require a written permit is not exempt. 

 6.12 Fugitive emissions sources such as valves and flanges associated with an emissions 

unit that is exempt from a written permit. 

 6.13 Unvented (except for emergency pressure relief valves) pressure vessels associated 

with an emissions unit that is exempt from a written permit. 

6.14 Fugitive emissions sources and pressure vessels that are associated with an 

emissions unit for which a written permit is required shall be included as part of 

such emissions unit. A separate permit for the fugitive source or pressure vessel is 

not required. 

6.15 Pits and ponds as defined in Rule 1020 (Definitions). 

 6.16 Portable Emissions Units: a portable emissions unit for which a written permit is 

otherwise required, shall be exempt from the permitting requirements provided 

that all of the following conditions are met: 

 6.16.1 The emissions unit has a valid registration obtained in accordance with the 

provisions of Rule 2280 (Portable Equipment Registration), the Statewide 

Portable Equipment Registration Program (California Code of Regulation 

Title 13, Division 3, Chapter 9, Article 5, Sections 2450-2465), or other 

equipment registration program approved by the APCO; and 

6.16.2 The portable emissions unit is not subject to the District's Title V 

permitting requirements (Rule 2520, Federally Mandated Operating 

Permits). 
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6.17 Roadmix manufacturing and application operations 

6.17.1 Roadmix manufacturing operations, provided that: 

6.17.1.1 The roadmix is used exclusively on properties owned or 

operated by the company which operates the roadmix 

manufacturing operation and generated the roadmix feedstock, 

excluding aggregates, and 

6.17.1.2 The roadmix feedstock does not contain refined hydrocarbons. 

6.17.1.3 Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.17.1.1, an exempt 

roadmix manufacturing operator may donate roadmix material 

to non-profit organizations. 

6.17.2 Roadmix application operations. 

6.18 Laboratory testing equipment and quality control testing equipment used 

exclusively for chemical and physical analysis, provided: 

6.18.1 Emissions from such equipment do not exceed 2.0 pounds per day or 75 

pounds per year, and 

6.18.2 The equipment is not a HAP source. 

 

 6.19 Low Emitting Units, except those which belong to a source category listed in 

Sections 6.1 through 6.18 shall not require an Authority to Construct or Permit to 

Operate. 

6.19.1 Low Emitting Units, which belong to a source category listed in Sections 

6.1 through 6.18, shall require an Authority to Construct or Permit to 

Operate unless they are specifically exempted in the applicable source 

category section. 

6.19.2 Notwithstanding Sections 6.19 and 6.19.1, Low Emitting Units, with 

uncontrolled HAP emissions that may cause a significant health risk to the 

public, shall require an Authority to Construct or Permit to Operate. 

 
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 6.20 Agricultural Sources 

 

 6.20.1 Agricultural sources at a stationary source that, in aggregate, produce 

actual emissions less than one-half of the major source thresholds. For the 

purposes of determining permitting applicability, fugitive emissions, except 

fugitive dust emissions, are included in determining aggregate emissions. 

6.20.2 In no case shall the exemption in Section 6.20.1 apply to a stationary 

source required to obtain Title V permits according to Rule 2520 

(Federally Mandated Operating Permits). 

7.0 District Exempt Activities 

 No Authority to Construct or Permit to Operate shall be required for the following 

activities: 

 7.1 Routine replacement of a whole or partial emissions unit where the replacement 

part is the same as the original emissions unit in all respects except for the serial 

number and the action does not create a reconstructed Stationary Source. 

 7.2 The venting of California Public Utility Commission quality natural gas from 

pipelines and compressors for the sole purpose of pipeline and compressor repair 

and or maintenance, providing that such emissions consist solely of residual natural 

gas that is vented after the equipment is isolated or shut down and that the residual 

amounts have been reduced as much as practical prior to venting. 

 7.3 Repairs or maintenance not involving structural changes to any emissions unit for 

which a permit has been granted (California Health and Safety Code, Section 

42310(a)(5)(A)). 

 7.4 The detonation of explosives for research and development activity, provided the 

quantity of explosives detonated does not exceed 100 pounds per day and 1,000 

pounds per year at a single stationary source. 

 7.5 Pilot tests for soil remediation projects, provided that all of the following 

conditions are met: 

7.5.1 The sole purpose of the pilot test is to determine the VOC concentration in 

the soil in order to design or size the appropriate control equipment for the 

soil remediation project; 

7.5.2 The pilot test will not last more than five days; and 
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 7.5.3 The effluent gas stream from the pilot test is controlled by either carbon 

canisters, a thermal or catalytic incinerator, or an IC engine. 

8.0 Administrative Requirements 

 Recordkeeping shall be required to verify or maintain any exemption for which the 

exemption is based on a throughput or emissions limitation. Such records shall be 

retained for at least two years and provided to the APCO upon request. 

9.0 Compliance Schedule 

 The owner or operator of an emissions unit that was exempt from written permits at the 

time of installation, which becomes subject to the provisions of Rule 2010 (Permits 

Required), through loss of exemption, shall submit an application for a Permit to Operate 

within six months from the date of adoption of this rule and shall not be subject to Rule 

2201 (New and Modified Stationary Source Review Rule), until such time that the 

emissions unit is modified. 
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Figure 1 Oil/water line 

Heat Exchanger

Oil

and Water

Steam

To

Sales

Oil and

 Water

Oil

Depurator

Depurator

To Steam

Generation

Equipment

Valve

Reject Oil

and Water

Water

Water

& Hydrocarbons

Water Water

Noncondensible

Gas to

Incinerator

or Vent

To

Injection

Well

Water

Source

Oil

Well

Spent Regeneration Brine

Backwash

Drain

Tank

Settling

Tank

Shipping

Tank

Wash

Tank Desander

Gauge

Tank

Condensate

Tank

Schematic

Production Facilities

for Crude Oil

Water

Oil

Raw Water

Tank

Produced

Water Tank

Filtered

Water Tank Brine Tank

Softeners Filters

Soft Water

Tank

Waste Water

Tank
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