Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency is now Buncombe County Air Quality
To continue its mission to protect and monitor the area’s air quality, despite challenges associated with federal grant funding, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution in June to create a local air quality program under its governance. Buncombe County Air Quality, a division of Permits and Inspections, has assumed the duties of the former Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency.
This change required that the Board reform the local agency’s governing board to be an advisory council and adopt the air quality code with updates to the governing structure in Chapter 1. The restructured program has received certification from the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission. These changes went into effect on July 24, 2026.
What does this change mean for you?
There will not be many visible changes regarding how Buncombe County Air Quality operates, including the air quality monitoring stations, permitting and inspections program, complaint investigations, permit fees, education and outreach, or contact information.
Buncombe County Air Quality does have a new website www.buncombenc.gov/air, but the former site www.abairquality.org will continue to direct to that site.
The Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency governing board was responsible for approving industrial source permits. Going forward, the Division Manager of Buncombe County Air Quality has been delegated authority by the Board of Commissioners to issue industrial source permits. Permits issued will be reported to the Air Quality Advisory Council and can be seen on the Engage Buncombe website in meeting agendas and minutes.
New Advisory Council
The Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency Governing Board was reformed as the Buncombe County Air Quality Advisory Council (AQC), which will hear appeals of permits and other agency actions, advise the Board on technical matters related to air quality, air quality standards and rule updates, and other air quality matters.
Continued Commitment
It is our goal to continue this program to protect and monitor the area’s air quality to safeguard the public health and the environment for the benefit of our residents and visitors and continue to work with our clean air partners at the local, state and federal level in support of this mission. Please reach out by emailing [email protected] or calling 828-250-6777 if you have questions. We welcome suggestions on how we can serve you better.
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