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Sebastopol Smog Check - Is Your Vehicle Exempt?

August 01, 2011 by Dino Basaldella

Are biennial smog checks always required for Sebastopol? Not necessarily... Sebastopol's primary ZIP code 95472, is associated with an Enhanced Smog area and the DMV sends out registration renewals earmarked with the dreaded "Smog Certification Required" notice to ALL residing within this particular ZIP; however, there are other factors which may come into play when determining whether or not your vehicle needs to meet the states smog requirements on a biennial basis. Of course, voluntary compliance is always your prerogative. However, if you reside in specific areas of Sebastopol, you may be obtaining smog inspections that are not necessary. Curious? Read on...

Sonoma County's air quality management criteria is actually governed by two separate air pollution control districts. Although not originally drafted for purposes of determining a vehicle's eligibility for smog exempt status - you can view a pdf of an Air Quality Management District Map depicting the boundary line dividing the two districts at the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner's website.

The majority of Sebastopol falls within the air quality standards as established by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), however, a portion of Sebastopol's vehicle smog requirements are actually determined by the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District - which is NOT and Enhanced Smog zone and vehicles which physically reside within this area currently do NOT require biennial smog inspections.

My Renewal Indicates "Smog Inspection Required" - What Now?

If you reside in Sebastopol, CA 95472 and you have determined that your physical address (and where your registered vehicle is kept), falls within the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District, but you have received a registration renewal form indicating a smog inspection is required - you have two choices:

• Voluntarily comply and obtain a smog inspection.
• Prove to the Department of Motor Vehicles that you reside in an area that is exempt from biennial smog inspections.

While the second option presents challenges - it is not insurmountable - given the way current state laws are structured.

How to Substantiate Your "Smog-Exempt" Claim to the DMV

Once you have established your physical location (and where your vehicle is garaged), as related to the NSCAPCD/BAAQMD boundaries, you will need to bring evidence of your address (e.g. CA Driver's License) along with your registration renewal form to the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District in Healdsburg (Map & Directions).

Upon having verified the physical address where the vehicle is garaged in Sebastopol, a NSCAPCD staff member will draft a letter to the Department of Motor Vehicles stating that your address falls under the jurisdiction of the NSCAPCD, where biennial smog checks are not required and an inspection and maintenance program does not exist at this time.

Now, simply return the letter you acquired from the NSCAPCD, along with your vehicle's registration renewal form to the DMV (be sure to include all applicable fees).