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UST FAQ - Inspections

Make sure that all alarms and/or equipment failures have been responded to in a timely manner. Have all of your documents available for review, including: Permit to Operate, Monitoring Procedure, Leak Response Plan, test reports, maintenance and repair records, Certification of Financial Responsibility, Designated Operator monthly reports, and Designated Operator annual employee training records. Many owners and operators combine these documents in a neatly organized binder or file.

Each inspector that visits your facility is there to enforce a specific set of laws and regulations. Environmental Health (CUPA) inspectors visit your facility to protect the groundwater by making sure the underground tanks are being monitored and managed properly. Although the inspectors from different agencies might review some of the same equipment and documents, they are inspecting these items for different reasons.

Be aware that an inspector from one agency may refer what they believe is a serious issue or condition to another agency that has jurisdiction over that area.

The permit fee covers the annual routine inspection and one follow-up inspection. The annual fee is based on the number of underground tanks that are installed at each facility. If additional inspections are required, an hourly fee may be applied (this fee will be billed separately from the annual fee). Fees for other CUPA programs, such as Hazardous Waste Generator, Hazardous Materials Disclosure, etc. will appear on the annual bill.

Click here for the current fee schedule.

Environmental Health (OC CUPA) does not regulate USTs in these cities. You will need to contact the respective fire agencies in these cities to have your questions answered. Here are quick links to those agencies:   Anaheim, Fullerton, Orange, and Santa Ana. 

The Health & Safety Code and California Code of Regulations provide the laws and regulations that apply to all underground storage tanks in California. Each local Agency must determine how to best implement these laws and regulations. An agency may enact local ordinances to impose additional conditions and restrictions. Environmental Health (CUPA) follows state guidelines and does not currently impose any additional requirements. 

Many local agencies participate in UST advisory meetings to share information to develop a consistent approach to tank regulation.