Updates to Cleveland's Air Pollution Control Code
The Cleveland Division of Air Quality is proposing significant updates to how the city manages air pollution, indoor air quality, and emissions through emergency ordinance 387-2025. These changes aim to address the health impacts of air pollution—including asthma and respiratory-related deaths—by introducing new ways to measure how multiple pollution sources impact specific neighborhoods.
What's in the file
The proposed ordinance amends and repeals various sections of Chapters 251 to 291 of the Air Pollution Control Code and enacts new Chapters 266, 268, and 299. According to the 387-2025 PRESENTATION, the revisions include:
- Cumulative Impact Scoring: The Cleveland Division of Air Quality (CDAQ) will produce a health impact report every five years. This report will assign neighborhoods a relative "cumulative impact score" from 2 to 10, where 10 represents the heaviest pollution impacts.
- Enhanced Permitting Requirements: Facilities located in high-scoring neighborhoods may be required to submit additional information, such as vehicle traffic data, and conduct Health Impact Assessments for any new or modified emission sources.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Following the passage of the legislation, the CDAQ is tasked with conducting a stakeholder engagement process in 2026 to consult with affected communities, environmental justice organizations, and public health experts to develop Health Impact Assessment requirements.
- Fee Adjustments and Funding: The ordinance proposes increasing annual air permit fees, which have not been raised since 2007. Collected fees may be used for: - Grants to help facilities upgrade equipment. - Grants for local businesses and community groups for projects that reduce emissions or mitigate air pollution.
- New Programs and Regulations: The file seeks to formally establish an Indoor Air Quality program, address fugitive emissions, and refine vehicle idling regulations.
Who may be affected
- Neighborhoods with high cumulative impact scores: These areas may face increased oversight and specific pollution reduction strategies.
- Industrial facilities: Companies located in high-impact areas may face additional reporting and assessment requirements.
- Local businesses and community groups: May become eligible for grants to fund emission reduction projects.
- Cleveland Department of Public Health: Specifically the Division of Air Quality, which will manage the new scoring and assessment processes.
Status and timeline
- March 21, 2025: The emergency ordinance was introduced.
- 2026: Following the passage of the legislation, the CDAQ is scheduled to conduct a stakeholder engagement process to finalize Health Impact Assessment requirements.
The ordinance has been referred to the Health, Human Services and the Arts Committee.
Residents can verify the details of these proposed changes by reviewing the official record for Ordinance 387-2025 on the Cleveland City Council website.
Source record
- File
- 387-2025
- Type
- Emergency Ordinance
- Status
- Agenda Ready
- Committee
- Health, Human Services and the Arts Committee
- Introduced
- March 20, 2025