Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Chipping Program Requirements
If I am not the property owner, it is my responsibility to obtain permission from the owner
to conduct clearing activities.
Any material requested to be chipped must otherwise be allowed to be burned as either
an Orchard Pruning and Attrition or Crop Replacement fire in accordance with the
agricultural fire requirements in Air District Regulation 5, Open Burning. This material
must be generated from an agricultural operation being pursued as a gainful occupation.
The burden of proof of a “gainful occupation” is the responsibility of the property owner, or
responsible party, and as such, I can demonstrate gross profit or loss from the
agricultural operation (as evidenced by tax receipts, sales slips, property lease
agreements, or other such documentation) to the satisfaction of the Air District in a timely
manner, upon request.
For Crop Replacement chipping: the material generated must be for the purpose of
establishing an agricultural crop in a location that previously contained another type of
crop or natural growth, and the land area will remain agricultural. The land area will not
subsequently be used for any type of residential or commercial building development.
Tree trunks and limbs that the chipping contractor determines are too large to be chipped
(generally those over 8 inches in diameter) will be left on the property.
Scheduling will be determined by the contractor. The contractor will attempt to
accommodate a schedule convenient for the applicant, yet it may not be possible to
arrange for chipping on or before a specific date.
The contractor has final authority to determine if a pile is suitable for chipping. I
understand that if the pile is not stacked in accordance with the Air District’s Chipper Pile
Guidelines, it will not be chipped, and I will be responsible for lawfully disposing of any
unchipped materials.
The chipping contractor will haul the chipped material off-site for disposal, unless a
property specifically requests and pre-arranges with the contractor that the chipped
material remain on the property, in which case the contractor will make its best effort to
leave the chipped material on the property at a location suitable to the property owner.
(Requests to leave chipped material on-site cannot be accommodated within U.S. Dept.
of Agriculture (USDA) and CA Dept. of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) designated pest
quarantine areas where removal and disposal are required.)
I will not make any attempt to load brush into the chipping machine, or assist the
contractor with chipping in any way. I understand that all work will be halted should I
attempt to do so.
The Air District is not obligated to provide services under this program, and is not liable
for its performance of services, or its failure to provide services, under this program.
The Air District’s funds for this program services are limited. Therefore, the Air District
may refuse to provide services.
I am responsible for any environmental compliance issues that may arise in connection
with the services provided by the Air District under this program, and agree to contact
state, local, or municipal agencies for information that may apply to my chipping job.