Underground Storage Tank Program
Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA)

The purpose of the underground storage tank inspection program is to ensure that hazardous materials stored in underground tanks are not released into the environment, potentially polluting ground and surface waters.

The Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), Environmental Health Division oversees the underground storage tank inspection program in most of the cities of Orange County, with the exception of Anaheim, Fullerton, Orange and Santa Ana. As the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA), Environmental Health is tasked by the Secretary for Environmental Protection to implement and enforce the underground storage tank codes. To this end, specialists from Environmental Health inspect underground storage tanks, monitoring equipment and compliance documents of UST systems to ensure that these systems are in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations.

This Agency also serves to educate and assist tank owners and operators with regulatory requirements. If you have questions that are not addressed on this page or would like clarification on a compliance issue, please click here to contact your district inspector directly.

Business Portal

The County of Orange is currently developing a Business Portal which will allow UST owners and operators to submit forms electronically on the web.

News and Due Dates

Underground Storage Tanks—The Basics A resource for small and medium-sized businesses in Orange County This manual is intended to provide businesses with the tools necessary to own and operate an underground storage tank system in compliance with the rules and regulations enforced by OCHCA.

July 1:  Annual Permit to Operate an Underground Storage Tank Issued Environmental Health issues an annual permit to operate that is valid from July 1 to June 30 of the following year.  Facilities that are in compliance with UST regulations are automatically issued the permit.  In order to maintain the permit to operate, the tank owner or operator must remain in compliance and pay the annual fee.  Failure to meet either of these requirements may result in revocation of the permit to operate.  Although the permit is valid on July 1, please be aware that the physical permit is typically mailed by this Agency near the end of July.

Underground Storage Tank System Testing Intervals

¹Not required on VPH systems.
²Only required for single-walled tanks. Interval depends on monitoring plan.
³For single-walled piping or systems not programmed for positive shutdown and fail safe.

FAQs

Document Submittal

• When do I need to submit forms to Environmental Health (CUPA)?

• What are the Certification of Financial Responsibility requirements?

• Can I fill out the forms myself?  Can I designate someone to fill them out on my behalf?

• Can I submit my test results, reports and/or forms electronically?

Facility Compliance

• What requirements must be met on an ongoing basis? 

Inspections

• How do I prepare for an inspection?

• Why do so many different agencies/departments inspect my facility?

• How much does an inspection cost?

• What if my tank facility is located in Anaheim, Fullerton, Orange, or Santa Ana?

• I have tank facilities located in different counties. Why are they regulated differently?

Violations

• A violation was cited on the inspection report. Now what do I do?

• Will I be fined or penalized for a violation?

• What are the most common violations that are cited?

Testing

• What testing do I need to have done?

• I've been told that I need to notify the CUPA prior to testing. What are the notification requirements?

• How soon after the monitoring system certification, spill bucket testing, and/or pipeline integrity testing does the report have to be submitted to Environmental Health (CUPA)?

• How soon after secondary containment testing does the report have to be submitted to Environmental Health (CUPA)?

• My testing contractor did not submit the test results/report to Environmental Health (CUPA). Why did I receive a violation?

• Can you recommend a good testing company or contractor?

Designated Operator (DO)

• What is a Designated UST Operator and what are their duties?

• How do I know if someone has passed the California UST System Operator Exam?

• My Designated Operator (DO) is not getting the job done.  What can I do?

• Can you recommend a good Designated Operator?

Plan Check and Repairs

• My UST needs repairs. How does the “permit” or “plan check” process work?

• How do I know if the repairs I need require a plan check?

• Can you recommend a good contractor?

Permit to Operate

• How do I obtain a new UST permit to operate?

• I cannot find my permit to operate, but I’m supposed to maintain it on-site. How do I obtain a new one?

• What happens if my facility is not in compliance prior to Environmental Health (CUPA) issuing the annual permit to operate?

• I did not receive the annual permit to operate due to outstanding violations. What happens now?

New Owners

• What are the responsibilities of a new UST owner?

• How long do I have once I purchase a station to notify Environmental Health (CUPA)? 

Agency Information

• Who is my inspector?

• What are the UST fees?