Sunnyvale

The Fire and Environmental Service Bureau issues a consolidated permit for all operations regulated under the Sunnyvale Municipal Code. Consolidated permits are issued for Hazardous Materials, Underground Storage Tanks, Aboveground Storage Tanks, California Accidental Release Plans, Hazardous Waste Generators, Hazardous Waste Treatment On-Site, Hazardous Materials Management Plans, Toxic Gases, and Fire Protection Use Operations.

A hazardous materials storage permit is required for any business that stores or handles a regulated material in any quantity not specifically exempted by the Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit. Materials regulated are defined in the Sunnyvale Municipal Code chapter 20. A single permit is issued for each facility for a period of five years. Permits are site-specific and non-transferable.

Fees

Fees Permit fees are charged based on the quantity of hazardous materials and/or hazardous wastes stored, used, and handled at the facility. A permit must be obtained before chemicals are introduced at the business location.

File Reviews

File Reviews Files of each facility issued a permit are kept on record in the Fire and Environmental Service Bureau, Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit. These files are available for review by any interested party.

Hazardous Materials Closures Storage

Every business that has been issued a permit under the Hazardous Materials Storage Ordinance must submit a closure notification. A closure plan must also be submitted, with subsequent inspection, if deemed necessary by the Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit.
Please refer to the "Fees" page to view the current fee schedule.

Inspections

The Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit reviews Hazardous Material Business Plan and other pertinent forms and documents. The Unit also inspects businesses for compliance with appropriate codes, regulations, and ordinances and is available to assist with compliance questions. For an overview of basic compliance issues and commonly asked questions, visit the Unidocs website.

For information on Fire Prevention inspections, visit he Sunnyvale DPS, Bureau of Special Operations Fire and Environmental Service Fire Prevention web page and/or the Unidocs Fire Prevention website. Please refer to the "Fees" page to view the current fee schedule.

Hazardous Materials Business Plan

A Hazardous Materials Business Plan (Business Plan) is required for any company that stores or handles hazardous materials equal to or greater than the threshold quantities, pursuant to the California Health and Safety Code, Section 25503.5. The threshold quantities for hazardous materials are as follows, with several exceptions:

500 pounds for solids, 55 gallons of any type or 275 gallons aggregate quantity for liquids, 200 cubic feet for compressed gases. The Business Plan includes business activities, general information about the facility, an inventory statement, a site map, an emergency response and contingency plan, and an employee training plan. The site map must include a site plan and a storage map. The Business Plan must be kept at the facility, in a readily accessible area. The Business Plan must be certified annually by the first day in March of each calendar year. Significant changes or amendments to the Business Plan must be submitted to Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit within thirty days of occurrence.

The Hazardous Materials Business Plan consists of various pages which may be downloaded from the Unidocs website. The matrix format or the one chemical per page inventory format can be submitted to our office. These forms are also available at the Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit (HMCU) office, located at 700 All America Way Sunnyvale, California 94080. You may request a form by contacting the HMCU office. The Hazardous Materials Business Plan can also be registered directly on-line in Unidocs under the Hazardous Materials Online Inventory Project heading. Please refer to the "Fees" page to view the current fee schedule.

Underground Storage Tanks

The Sunnyvale DPS Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit inspects and maintains records of underground storage tanks (USTs). All USTs are required to meet current state regulations. Permits are required for the installation or removal of USTs. Installation of new USTs requires a building plan submittal and permit, which is handled by the City of Sunnyvale One Stop Permit Center, located at 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, California 94080. They may be contacted at (408) 730-7444.

Operation of USTs must be permitted through the Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit. Permit forms may be obtained from our office at 700 All America Way Sunnyvale, California 94080. You may also request this form by contacting our office directly. To obtain a permit for use, applicants must also complete the Hazardous Materials Business Plan. In addition, all of these forms and documents can be obtained from the Unidocs Web Site. Please refer to the "Fees" page to view the current fee schedule.

Underground Storage Tank Closures

Underground Storage Tanks that are removed from service require a removal permit, followed by an inspection and environmental testing. Please refer to the "Fees" page to view the current fee schedule.

Aboveground Storage Tanks

As the Certified Unified Program Agency, the Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit is authorized to ensure that all businesses impacted by state above ground storage tank regulations have a Spill Prevention and Countermeasure Plan (SPCC) in place. The Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit has an informational brochure from the state regarding this program. This brochure may be obtained at our office, located at 700 All America Way Sunnyvale, California 94080. You may request this brochure by contacting our office. For further information, visit the State Water Resources Control Board. Please refer to the "Fees" page to view the current fee schedule.

California Accidental Release Plans

The California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CalARP) is California's version of the federal Risk Management Plan Program, authorized under the Clean Air Act found in 40 CFR Part 68. The Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit implements this program. CalARP affects businesses that store or handle certain hazardous materials in excess of threshold quantities, particularly those which may have off-site consequences, if released. This program requires an assessment of the off-site hazard potential. It also requires the implementation of a program to minimize the risk of release. Businesses which are required to prepare a Risk Management Plan for the Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to 40 CFR Part 68, are also required to submit a copy of their Risk Management Plan to the Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit. This list of hazardous materials, as well as their threshold quantities, may be found on the California Office of Emergency Services website. Currently, the Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit does not have forms available regarding the CalARP.

For further information and to obtain forms and documents, visit OES, then select the heading "Hazardous Materials". Please refer to the "Fees" page to view the current fee schedule.

Hazardous Waste Generator

The Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit maintains records and conducts inspections of hazardous waste generators within the City of Sunnyvale. Businesses that generate hazardous waste are required to complete a Hazardous Waste Inventory statement as part of their Business Plan. All businesses are required to report such generation to the Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit, regardless of treatment, recycling, or disposal methods used.

The Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit charges hazardous waste generators an annual fee, based on the total quantity and/or type of hazardous wastes generated per calendar year. Please refer to the "Fees" page to view the current fee schedule.

For further information on the Hazardous Waste Generator Program, visit the DTSC website or contact the Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit at (408) 730 - 7212.

Hazardous Waste Treatment On-Site

The Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit maintains records and conducts inspections of hazardous waste generators that treat hazardous wastes on-site in a Fixed Treatment Unit under Permit by Rule, Conditional Authorization, and Conditional Exemption. The Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit currently does not inspect Transportable Treatment Units, full permit facilities, or standardized permit facilities.

Businesses that wish to treat hazardous waste under Permit by Rule, Conditional Authorization, or Conditional Exemption, must complete a notification form (formerly DTSC 1772) and submit it to the Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit. This form and its instructions may be picked up at our office at 700 All America Way Sunnyvale, California 94080. You may also request this form by contacting our office.

The Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit charges an annual fee for any business which treats hazardous waste, based on the highest tier of treatment conducted at that specific site. Please refer to the "Fees" page to view the current fee schedule.

Hazardous Materials Registration Forms

The Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit maintains records and conducts inspections of businesses that use, store, or handle hazardous materials in any quantity. Businesses that are specifically exempted from submission of a Hazardous Materials Business Plan must complete the Hazardous Materials Registration Form. This form is primarily for businesses that store or handle small quantities of hazardous materials that are below the HMBP hazardous materials quantity threshold. The Hazardous Materials Registration Form includes general information about the facility, a chemical inventory, disposal information, and a site map. The site map must include a site plan and a storage map. This form and its instructions may be picked up at the Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit office at 700 All America Way Sunnyvale, California 94080. You may also request this form by contacting our office. Please refer to the "Fees" page to view the current fee schedule.

Toxic Gas

The Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit maintains records and conducts inspections of businesses that use, store, or handle toxic gases in any quantity. The City of Sunnyvale adopted the Model Toxic Gas Ordinance SMC Chapter 16.53, which defines administrative and engineering controls required for the use and storage of regulated toxic gases in Sunnyvale. The intent of the Toxic Gas Ordinance is to protect the public from exposure due to accidental release of regulated toxic gases.

A toxic gas permit is issued to a facility which uses, stores, or handles toxic gases, as defined by Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapter 16.53. For a list of common toxic gases, their classification, and permissible exposure limits, visit the Unidocs website. A toxic gas compliance plan is required prior to issuance of a permit. This form and its instructions may be picked up at the Sunnyvale DPS, Hazardous Materials Compliance Unit office at 700 All America Way Sunnyvale, California 94080. You may also request this form by contacting our office.

In order to determine your fee, first identify your highest hazard class, then determine the total quantity of all gases regulated by the Sunnyvale Municipal Code Section 16.53. Please refer to the "Fees" page to view the current fee schedule.