Underground Storage Tank Systems

The Environmental Services Section is responsible for the inspection and oversight of underground storage tank (UST) systems in incorporated City of San Leandro.  

UST Owners and Operators must obtain a UST System Operating Permit from the CUPA and comply with all applicable UST requirements contained in the California Health & Safety Code (HSC), Division 20, Chapters 6.7, Sections 25280 - 25296 and 25298 - 25299.6, and the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 23, Division 3, Chapter 16, Sections 2610 - 2717.7.

The Facility Information and UST submittal elements at minimum must be reported to the California Environmental Reporting (CERS) before an operating permit can be issued.  https://cers.calepa.ca.gov/ 

UST System Installation and Removal

UST
For UST system installation and removal, a Building Permit Application and plans must be submitted to the City's Building and Safety Services Section accompanied by a UST Installation or Alteration  packet.

For minor UST repairs and modifications, please call our office to discuss the details of the project to determine if a permit from Building and Safety Services is required (e.g. projects that do not involve mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or concrete demolition).

UST removal
Please refer to the UST Closure Package for additional information and requirements on UST removal and closure.  

For more information on the underground storage tank program, visit the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality - Underground Storage Tank Program. 

Applicable law and statute:

UST Statute [HSC Chapter 6.7]

UST Regulations [CCR Title 23, Chapter 16]


















 





Permanent Closure of Underground Storage Tank Systems with Single-Walled Components

Deadline:  December 31, 2025

 •    The lead time for tanks and components can be over a year.

•    Contractors are being fully booked farther and farther into the future.

•    Prices often rise as deadlines get closer.

•    It is extremely unlikely the deadline in state law will be changed.

•    The law does not allow exemptions.

Find detailed information about the requirements at 

https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/ust/single_walled

Available Funding for the Closure of Single-Walled UST Systems 

Loans and grants, made available through the Replacing, Removing, or Upgrading Underground Storage Tanks (RUST) Program, can assist eligible small businesses with the costs necessary to remove, replace, or upgrade single-walled USTs.  The RUST grants are limited year-to-year, therefore, it is best to utilize these resources as early as possible. For more information, visit 

https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ustcf/rust.html


Financial Responsibility Requirements and the Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund 

The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) Underground Storage Tank (UST) Cleanup Fund is currently used by approximately 60 percent of UST owners and operators as all or part of the financial responsibility mechanism.   The Cleanup Fund by statute will sunset on January 1, 2026, however UST owners and operators will not be permitted to use the Cleanup Fund to demonstrate financial responsibility after December 31, 2024.  UST owners and operators currently utilizing the Cleanup Fund as a financial responsibility mechanism will be required to provide an alternative financial responsibility mechanism on or before December 31, 2024.  While the focus of the State Water Board’s previous discussions on this topic has been on single-walled facilities, all USTs except those at state or federally owned facilities will be required to demonstrate a financial responsibility mechanism other than the Cleanup Fund. 

Owners of aging UST facilities should be cognizant of the 2024 deadline as many insurance providers of UST financial responsibility are reluctant to cover systems over 30 years old.  UST owners and operators of aging systems should be actively seeking alternative financial responsibility options.