Hazardous Materials Division

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• Where can I find the latest COVID-19 information for San Diego County?

  The County of San Diego has been working closely with federal and state agencies and the local healthcare community to monitor and test for the COVID-19 virus in the region. For updates and other COVID19-related resources, go to the County of San Diego COVID-19 Website. The Hazardous Materials Division Website will also be updated with the latest information and FAQs.

• I keep seeing large gatherings of people without face coverings. Who can I report this to?

  Please contact your local law enforcement agency's non-emergency phone number. Phone numbers are provided on the 211 website. You may also report violations of the Public Health Order online: Report Face Covering Violations.  For additional information, go to the County of San Diego COVID-19 Website

• My facility is allowed to reopen under the latest modified Stay-at-Home Order. What requirements and/or modifications need to be met before I can reopen my business?

  Businesses need to comply with the mandatory measures listed in the County's Safe Reopening Plan in addition to completing and posting the plan at the main entrance to their business. This plan does not require County approval prior to reopening your business. Businesses should also review and refer to the state checklist for their specific industry, such as the Retailer guidance and checklist, when completing the County's Safe Reopening Plan. Each facility’s plan may need to be updated and reposted when state guidance changes. Updated plans will not require County approval either.

   

  This approval allows restaurants and retail businesses to have in-person customers with modifications to their operations:

  • Food businesses need to review guidance and complete the San Diego Restaurant Operating Protocol before reopening. See details.   
  • Retail businesses need to comply with the mandatory measures listed in the County's Safe Reopening Plan, in addition to completing and posting the plan at the entrance of their business. Businesses that have already been open for pickup or delivery will need to update their plan. Essential businesses that already have customers in-store do not need to update their plans.

  Businesses with questions can email: COVID19BusinessQuestions@sdcounty.ca.gov

• How should Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is potentially contaminated with COVID-19 be managed?

  See Medical Waste FAQ section.

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• Are Hazardous Waste Control Laws still in effect during COVID-19?

  The Hazardous Waste Control Law and its implementing regulations remain in effect during the COVID-19 pandemic. Go to the Department of Toxic Substances Control’s (DTSC) COVID-19 website for additional information and guidance on managing hazardous waste during the COVID-19 pandemic:  DTSC COVID-19 Updates Website. Also, US EPA has compiled frequent questions about COVID-19 and waste.

• What if my facility is unable to comply or maintain compliance with a specific hazardous waste requirement as a result of COVID-19?

  Hazardous waste generators that are unable to meet a specific regulatory requirement due to emergency government directives or a specific hardship must notify DTSC before falling out of compliance and must document the following: (1) the specific statutory or regulatory requirement that cannot be met or maintained; (2) the circumstances leading up to the delayed compliance or the inability to comply with the requisite requirement; and (3) the decisions and actions taken in response, including best efforts to maintain compliance and/or come into compliance at the earliest opportunity.

  BE ADVISED: DTSC may use this information for enforcement discretion within its authority when deciding whether to pursue potential violations caused by pandemic-related disruptions. For additional information, go to DTSC COVID-19 Updates Website.

• Due to impacts from COVID-19, I am unable to dispose of my hazardous waste within the allowed accumulation timeframes. What are my options?

  Pursuant to 22 CCR Section 66262.34(c), generators of RCRA Hazardous Waste can apply for a one-time 30-day extension through DTSC. For additional guidance, see DTSC Managing Hazardous Waste Advisory Document.

   

  Pursuant to 22 CCR Section 66262.35, generators of non-RCRA Hazardous Waste and/or RCRA Exempt Hazardous Waste can apply for a one-time 90-day extension through the San Diego County CUPA. The notification form for non-RCRA Hazardous Waste and/or RCRA Exempt Hazardous Waste is available here: NON-RCRA and/or RCRA-Exempt Hazardous Waste Storage Extension Notification Form. The completed notification form must be submitted via certified mail prior to the hazardous waste exceeding its allowed accumulation time.

• What if I do not feel comfortable signing the paper copy of the manifest?

  In summary, if a generator does not feel comfortable signing the paper copy of the manifest (and is not using e-manifest yet), the transporter may sign for them if the following steps are taken:

  1. The transporter says: “Generator using signature substitute due to COVID-19”, in generator’s signature box (box #15).

  2. The generator provides a “signature substitute” via text message, email, or hard copy letter to the transporter and the TSDF.

     For example: “I authorize my signature for Box 15 of the Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest, EPA form 8700-22/22A, for Generator/Offeror’s Certification for all hazardous waste shipments with [transporter company name] as transporter and [designated facility company name] as designated facility during the time of EPA’s policy entitled COVID19 Implications for Signing Paper Hazardous Waste Manifests.”

  3. The transporter or the TSDF say: “Documentation for generator signature substitute available upon request”, in box #14 of the manifest. (Of course, records must be kept by all parties)

     EPA has published a Memorandum Regarding Coronavirus (Covid-19) Implications for Signing Paper Hazardous Waste Manifests supplementing the Covid-19 Implications for EPA's Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Program (Temporary Covid-19 Enforcement Policy)

      

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• How do I submit a Hazardous Materials Questionnaire for review and approval if I have an existing business that is undergoing Tenant Improvements or if I have a new business?

  New businesses with hazardous materials and/or hazardous wastes at or above reportable threshold quantities and those undergoing tenant improvements may be required to submit a Hazardous Materials Questionnaire and pay a fee for the information to be reviewed and processed. This is also known as the Hazardous Materials Plan Check Program. To expedite the review and approval process, the Hazardous Materials Questionnaire can be submitted and processed online. If you need further assistance or, if you’re unable to submit the application online, please contact the HMD Duty Desk at 858-505-6880 or, by email at HMDOPS@sdcounty.ca.gov.

• We stopped our business operations, but we still have hazardous materials, hazardous waste, and/or medical waste on site. Do I still need a permit?

  Yes, a Unified Program Facility Permit is still required so long as the regulated hazardous materials, hazardous wastes and/or medical wastes remain on site. Be Advised: All hazardous substances, whether materials or wastes, must be properly managed and/or disposed of. For questions on proper management and disposal, please contact the HMD Duty Desk at 858-505-6880 or DEH.HMDUTYEH@sdcounty.ca.gov. You may also visit our Hazardous Waste Page for additional guidance.

  Please note that on May 5, 2020, to help ease the impacts of COVID-19, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors took action to defer fees (meaning delay invoice due dates) for some programs.  If your annual invoice is due in the timeframe

• Why am I getting so many emails from “CERS Automated Messaging”?

  The California Environmental Reporting System, also known as CERS, is the “statewide information management system” for electronic submission of Hazardous Materials Business Plans (HMBP). CERS is also used for electronic reporting of other Unified Programs and locally required information. The CERS Business Portal is used by regulated facilities to submit required information to the local Unified Program Agency. The CERS Regulator Portal is used by regulators, such as the San Diego County CUPA, to review, accept or not accept the information submitted by regulated facilities. Every time a submittal is reviewed and processed by a regulator/inspector; an automated email gets generated from CERS indicating how the submittal was processed.

• What does it mean when my submittal is “UNDER REVIEW” or “NOT ACCEPTED”?

  If corrections are required to one or more submittals sections, the regulator/inspector will change the submittal status to “UNDER REVIEW” or “NOT ACCEPTED” and add a comment indicating what needs to be corrected and resubmitted for final review.  If no corrections are needed, the regulator/inspector will “ACCEPT” the submittal. Additionally, if you have multiple redundant submittals, the regulator/inspector will review the most recent submittal and place the prior submittals in “NOT ACCEPTED” status with a comment indicating that your most recent submittal is under review and/or has already been “ACCEPTED.” If you have additional questions or, if you need assistance with your CERS submittal, please call our CERS Help Desk at (858) 505-6990.

• The “Lead Users” for my CERS account have changed. What do I need to do?

  To ensure the appropriate authorized business representatives have access to your facility’s CERS account, please complete and submit a CERS Application. The CERS Application can be used to designate new Lead Users and update your Facility Information. For additional guidance visit our CERS Information page or, contact our CERS Help Desk at 858-505-6990. 

• I already notified the APCD, Fire Department, Water Authority, etc. that I closed my business. Do I need to notify the San Diego County CUPA as well?

  Yes, in order to inactivate your Unified Program Facility Permit, you must notify the San Diego County CUPA and certify in CERS that you are no longer conducting any of the business activities regulated under the Unified Program. Each regulating agency that issues a permit or license based on their regulatory authority has different requirements and procedures for permit/license closures. 

• How do I notify the San Diego County CUPA that I no longer need a permit?

  To initiate the permit inactivation process, you must resubmit the CERS Facility Information section with all answers to the Business Activities page changed to “NO” and include a comment for the regulator explaining why you no longer require a permit. These activities are listed on the Business Activities page in CERS located under “Facility Information” and were last submitted by a representative of your business. If you need assistance or are unable to make a submittal through CERS, please submit your request to inactivate the permit in writing to HMDOPS@sdcounty.ca.gov and include the date that your business stopped regulated activities. The Hazardous Materials Division will conduct follow-up actions for confirmation and verification purposes, as needed. Please note that additional information may be required in order to inactivate your permit, such as but not limited to, proof of final hazardous waste or medical waste disposal and/or proof of proper management/disposal of aboveground tank systems used to store hazardous materials or wastes. To request assistance with the permit inactivation process, you may contact the area specialist/inspector listed on your last Compliance Inspection Report or, contact the HMD Permits Line at 858-505-6661.

• Why have I received an invoice if I am no longer operating?

  Permitting requirements, including fees, apply any time regulated activities continue at the regulated facility, regardless of when the operations may have stopped. If you have already notified the San Diego County CUPA and you no longer require a permit, but you still received an invoice, please call our Permits Line at 858-505-6661 for further assistance.

  Please note that on May 5, 2020, to help ease the impacts of COVID-19, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors took action to defer fees (meaning delay invoice due dates) for some programs.  If your annual invoice is due in the timeframe of May 2020 to October 2020, you have until November 30, 2020 to pay your facility’s invoice.

• I closed my business and had my hazardous wastes picked up by my waste hauler, but I still have an empty tank on site. Do I still need a permit?

  Maybe. Tanks that store or previously stored hazardous materials or hazardous wastes must be managed and/or disposed of properly when no longer needed or in use. Due to the complexity of the closure and disposal requirements for tank systems, it is recommended that you work closely with your assigned inspector or, contact the Hazardous Materials Duty Desk at 858-505-6880 or DEH.HMDUTYEH@sdcounty.ca.gov so that we can gather more information to best guide you in the closure of your tank system and permit. For additional guidance on tank closures, see our Hazardous Waste Tank Closure Certification form. 

• Am I required to certify my Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) annually?

  Yes, if your facility is subject the HMBP program, then the California Office of Emergency Service (CalOES) has determined that all facilities subject to Hazardous Materials Business Plan reporting requirements must submit/certify their HMBP on an annual basis. In San Diego County, the annual submittal must be made within 365 days from the date of your last full submittal. In order to meet the annual certification requirement, you must submit the following submittal sections: (1) Facility Information; (2) Hazardous Materials Inventory/Site Map; and (3) Emergency Response and Training Plan. For more information on annual HMBP submittal requirements, go to the CalOES website or see the following guidance document: Is an HMBP Required to be Submitted Annually? Please note that a substantial change, as defined in HSC Section 25508.1(f)(2), to any portion of your HMBP is required to be updated in CERS within 30 days from the effective date of the change.

• I received an invoice in the mail and the due date for payment is November 30, 2020 even though my permit expires before that. Am I required to pay now to keep my permit active?

  No, if your due date for payment is between May and October 2020, you are not required to pay now. To keep your permit active, just maintain a copy of the invoice you received with the note about the deferral. On May 5, 2020, to help ease the impacts of COVID-19, the County Board of Supervisors voted to defer payment of Unified Program Facility Permit fees that are normally due for payment between May and October 2020. The payment due date for deferred fees is November 30, 2020. During the six-month deferment period, payment is not required, and late fees will not be assessed. Some customers have expressed an interest in paying their renewal invoice by its normal due date, rather than deferring payment. While this is not required, if you elect to pay the renewal invoice by its normal due date, please visit dehpay.com. Once the payment is received and processed, you will receive your renewed permit. Please note that the billing cycle for 2021 will return to original due date and not the deferment date.