Hazardous Materials Plan Check

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The Hazardous Materials Plan Check Specialist assists new businesses and businesses undergoing tenant improvements, in complying with their Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) requirements.

To make a HMBP plan check appointment: 

Submit your Hazardous Materials Questionnaire Online. Instructions on how to complete the questionnaire can be found here: How to complete and submit the HMQ and How to Register in Accela Citizen Access.

The Hazardous Materials Division is now accepting Hazardous Materials Questionnaires online! For faster review and processing of your questionnaire, we encourage the use of the online system, rather than submitting paper forms. Click here for instructions on how to complete the Online Questionnaire, and here for information on how to register in Accela Citizen Access.

If you have questions, please contact the Hazardous Materials Division by phone (858) 505-6880 or by email at HMDutyEH@sdcounty.ca.gov

Assembly Bill 3205 (AB3205), which became effective on January 1, 1989, and was incorporated into Section 65850.2 of the California Government Code, prohibits Building Departments from issuing a final Certificate of Occupancy unless a business that handles hazardous materials has done the following:

  • Met the requirements of a Hazardous Materials Business Plan for a release or threatened release of hazardous materials.
  • Completed the California Accidental Release Prevention CalARP screening process for Extremely Hazardous Materials or Regulated Substances that may be handled above minimum threshold quantities.
  • Submitted a certified Risk Management Plan (RMP) if required by the Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Hazardous Materials Division.

The Plan Check Specialist works extensively with business owners and operators, and other business representatives, such as contractors and consultants to help businesses meet these requirements.  Services provided daily to the public by the Plan Check Desk include:

  • Properly evaluating all incoming Hazardous Materials Questionnaires.
  • Determining if a business is subject to the Hazardous Materials Plan Check process.
  • Guiding businesses that are required to go through the process and ensuring that the process is completed.
  • Providing permitting information for businesses that do not need to be included in the AB3205 process but are required to obtain a Unified Program Facility Permit, such as small quantity medical waste generators.

Additionally, the Plan Check Specialist evaluates Hazardous Substance Questionnaires for Childcare Centers in the City of San Diego. 

Starting January 1, 2013 all CUPA regulated businesses are required by law (Assembly Bill 2286) to submit business information electronically through the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS). This includes information related to your:

For more information, please visit our CERS Information page.