Permits and Engineering
Rule 360 Compliance Page

Do I Need to Obtain a Rule 360 Certification?

I.     What is APCD Rule 360?

    APCD Rule 360 is the applicable regulation for the control of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions from new large water heaters, small boilers, steam generators, and process heaters in Santa Barbara County.  It was adopted on October 17, 2002 and took effect one year later on October 17, 2003.

II.    Who must comply with Rule 360?

a.       Effective October 17, 2003, any person who supplies, offers for sale, installs, or solicits the installation of any new water heater, boiler, steam generator or process heater for use within Santa Barbara County with a rated heat input capacity equal or greater than 75,000 Btu/hr up to and including 2,000,000 Btu/hr (2.000 MMBtu/hr) must be certified by the APCD.  Any equipment in existence or installed prior to October 17, 2003 does not have to be certified.

b.      As a matter of convenience, any of the above units that has been certified in compliance with

Rule 1146.2 of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and is listed on the current certified SCAQMD boiler list at: http://www.aqmd.gov/rules/doc/r1146/r1146_2table.pdf

will not have to be complete the APCD certification process.  The APCD will consider the unit in compliance with its Rule 360.  The unit will not appear on the APCD certified listing.

c.     For any of the above units that has been certified in compliance with Rule 1146.2 of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and is not listed on the current certified SCAQMD boiler list at: http://www.aqmd.gov/rules/doc/r1146/r1146_2table.pdf , the APCD will require the submission of a completed APCD- Form 14 along with a copy of the unit’s certification letter from the SCAQMD.   Once this information has been received by the APCD, the unit will be considered in compliance with its Rule 360.  The unit will not appear on the APCD certified listing.

d.      For a unit that requires APCD Rule 360 certification and does not have the SCAQMD certifications in b. or c. above, you must complete a Form 14, available on this website on this page (PDF file), and submit it along with the required data and information described below to the APCD. 

1.  Nameplate:  Rule 360.E requires a clearly identifiable nameplate that displays both the model number and the certification status of the unit.  As a matter of practicability, our agency is accepting South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) approved nameplates if they meet the above two requirements.  Please ensure that a photocopy of your nameplate label is provided with each application.

 2.  Source Test Data for Units:  a complete source test report must be submitted with the application.  In order to comply with Rule 360, this test report must be dated no more than 90 days prior to the application.

3.  Technical Brochures:  For each application, attach a copy of the technical brochure for the model(s). 

Please note that each application package must be complete and must stand alone.  If necessary, make copies of documents that might reference different models (i.e., a source test report or technical literature that covers more than one model).  The APCD will review the submitted material to determine compliance with Rule 360.  All APCD certified units will appear on this page.  Additional information (rules, forms, and FAQs) about the certification process is also available on this page.

For more information or assistance, call the Engineering and Compliance Division at (805) 961-8800, or e-mail engr@sbcapcd.org.

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