What Are SCAQMD Regulations?

South Coast Air Quality Management District rules

What is SCAQMD?

A: SCAQMD is the air pollution control agency for all of California's Orange County as well as the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernadino counties. The SCAQMD develops plans and regulations which serve as a blueprint to bring the area into overall compliance with the federal and state clean air standards.

South Coast AQMD logo with a white dove inside a blue square above the text 'South Coast AQMD'.
Smiling man wearing glasses and a cap stands in front of a colorful mural holding a blue paintbrush.

SCAQMD Air Pollution Rules

Since 1977, SCAQMD has assumed a leadership position on regulating volatile organic compounds (VOC) in an effort to tackle area source emissions, including paint and coatings. They continue to have the most stringent VOC regulations in the nation. Rule 1113 is the rule limiting the VOC content of architectural and industrial maintenance coatings.

SCAQMD AIM Rule Exemptions

  • Small container exemption allows the sale of coatings above maximum VOC limits if packaged in containers of one liter or less for select coating categories, reference rule 1113.
  • SCAQMD typically includes a 3 year sell-through provision allowing the sale of coatings above the maximum VOC limits if manufactured prior to the effective data for rule changes.

For the most current information on the SCAQMD Rule 1113, please visit www.aqmd.gov.

COATING CATEGORY

VOC (G/L)

Flat

100

Non-Flat

150

Non-Flat High Gloss

250

Industrial Maintenance General

340

Industrial Maintenance High Temp

420

Primer

200

Quick Dry Primer

200

Specialty Primer

350

Quick Dry Enamel

250

Floor

250

Rust Preventative

400

Stains

250

Dry Fog

400

Varnish

350

Waterproof - Wood

250

Waterproof - Concrete

400