Regulatory Background
The Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program administers and enforces Federal and State laws and regulations and local ordinances for the construction/installation, modification, upgrade, and removal of USTs. In the City of Los Angeles, the UST Program is implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department CUPA, which is responsible for:
- Annual inspection of Underground Storage Tanks, monitoring equipment and tank records
- Plan Check and inspection for tank installations, modifications and removals
- Oversight of soils-only contamination cases
To legally operate an UST in the City of Los Angeles you must be in possession of a valid Consolidated Permit issued by Los Angeles Fire Department CUPA. To receive a Consolidated Permit you must satisfy the following requirements:
- The UST must be inspected by LAFD CUPA and there must not be any open violations at the time when permits are issued on October 1st of every other year.
- All required UST testing must be completed by the mandated due date and by approved testers.
- All UST owners and/or operators must electronically submit in the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) a complete UST package between each permitting cycle or any changes to the UST system.
- The Consolidated Permit fees must be paid in full prior to the issuing of the Consolidated Permit.
Failure to obtain a valid Consolidated Permit will result in progressive enforcement that may involve the issuance of penalties and other formal enforcement options.
- UST Forms and Documents [under Underground Storage Tanks (UST) section]
- Compliance with Federal UST Regulations (2018)
- UST Abandonment Guidelines
- UST Temporary Closure Guidelines
- State Water Board Single-Wall Tank Information
Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 280
California Health & Safety Code, Division 20, Chapter 6.7
California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Chapters 16
Los Angeles Municipal Code, Article 7 of Chapter V, Section 120, 5003, & 2301