Permits
The Fire and Environmental Service Bureau issues a consolidated permit (pdf format) for all operations regulated under the Sunnyvale Municipal Code (SMC) Title 16 and 20. Consolidated permits are issued for Hazardous Materials, Underground Storage Tanks, Aboveground Storage Tanks, California Accidental Release Plan (CalARP), Hazardous Waste Generator, Hazardous Waste Treatment On-Site, Toxic Gas, and Fire Protection Use Operations. Hazardous Materials Storage Permits are also required for the storage of cryogenic materials.
A single permit covers an entire facility, by address. A hazardous materials storage permit is issued every five years. It is required for any business that stores or handles a regulated material in quantities not specifically exempted by Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit. Permits are site specific and non- transferable. Materials regulated are defined in the Sunnyvale Municipal Code, Chapter 20.
The materials regulated by this title shall consist, but is not limited, to the following items: Any material listed as a hazardous and/or extremely hazardous material or hazardous and/or extremely hazardous waste in Section 66680 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, as amended, whether such material is stored or handled in waste or non-waste form; or Any material which is listed on the list of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pollutants, 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 401.15, as amended; or Any material which is classified by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as either a flammable liquid, a Class II combustible liquid or a Class IIIA combustible liquid; or Any material which is listed by the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations in Title 8, California Code of Regulations, Section 339, as amended, subject to the exclusions specified in this subsection. Such exclusions shall apply only to materials which are not otherwise regulated pursuant to this section.
To determine whether the materials present on-site are subject to "Hazardous Materials" classification by the Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit, refer to the applicable code. The State publishes a "List of Lists", which identifies chemicals by their regulatory classifications, both Federal and state. Both Federal and state codes are available on-line. Using the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is generally the best way to determine the classification of a hazardous material. Several sources of MSDS's are available on-line.
Fees are paid on an annual basis. Each business is required to keep a current Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) and to submit an annual certification to the HMBP (due on the first day of March each year). If there are any additional questions concerning the permitting process, contact the Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit at (408) 730-7212.