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A site near my residence is causing obnoxious odors. What can I do about it?

Odors are a very specific form of air pollution that often must rely upon the person complaining to substantiate the complaint. Odors are regulated, in part, by the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) under the Washington State Clean Air Act:

WAC 173-400-040 (4) Odors. Any person who shall cause or allow the generation of any odor from any source which may unreasonably interfere with any other property owner's use and enjoyment of his property must use recognized good practice and procedures to reduce these odors to a reasonable minimum.

It is the responsibility of the owner or operator of a source to control odors. There are exceptions, however. Agricultural operations that are using currently accepted practices are exempt from the odor regulations. What this means is that odors emanating from an operation using accepted practices are not regulated and enforcement actions cannot be taken against them for those odors. However, if the operation is not operating with acceptable practices, they are subject to enforcement.

Non-agricultural operations are subject to the odor regulations. If an operation is causing problems, you will need to file a complaint with our office via phone. It is especially helpful if an Inspector can actually experience the smell, so it is best that complaints are made while the odor is occurring. This helps in the event that enforcement actions are taken.