California Gas Station Compliance Guide
Everything fuel station operators in California need to know about UST compliance, managed by the State Water Resources Control Board.
State Agency
State Water Resources Control Board
SWRCB UST Program
Compliance Deadlines
Federal EPA Requirements
| Requirement | Deadline | Penalty | CFR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Release Detection | Ongoing — monthly | $11,524/day | 40 CFR 280.41 |
| Annual Walkthrough Inspection | Annually by Oct 13 | $59,017/day | 40 CFR 280.36 |
| Operator Training (Class A/B/C) | Within 30 days of designation | $25,000 | 40 CFR 280.242 |
| Financial Responsibility | Continuous | $11,524/day | 40 CFR 280.90 |
| Spill/Overfill Prevention Equipment | Required at all UST systems | $59,017/day | 40 CFR 280.30 |
| Corrosion Protection Testing | Every 3 years (impressed current) / 5 years (other) | $11,524/day | 40 CFR 280.31 |
| Release Reporting | Within 24 hours of discovery | $59,017/day | 40 CFR 280.50 |
| UST Registration/Notification | Within 30 days of installation | $11,524/day | 40 CFR 280.22 |
California State Requirements
| Requirement | Deadline | Frequency | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permit to Operate | Annual renewal | Annual | $5,000/day |
| Monthly Monitoring | Monthly | Monthly | $10,000/day |
| Enhanced Vapor Recovery | Per CARB schedule | Ongoing | $1,000/day |
| AB 2729 Compliance | Varies by county | Ongoing | $10,000 |
| CUPA Inspection | Every 3 years minimum | 3 years | $5,000/day |
Penalties & Enforcement
Max Daily Penalty
$10,000
Max Per Violation
$25,000
Criminal Penalties
Yes
California has some of the strictest UST penalties in the nation.
Cleanup Fund
Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund
Coverage Limit
$1,500,000
Deductible
$10,000
Eligible
Yes
One of the largest state cleanup funds. Also covers third-party claims.
Operator Training
Class A
Required
Class B
Required
Class C
Required
Online Accepted
Yes
Refresher interval: 2 years
Approved providers: ICC-certified and SWRCB-approved
California requires more frequent refresher training than most states.
Registration & Fees
Annual Tank Fee
$225/tank
Registration Fee
$150
Late Penalty
$250/month
Find a UST Inspector
Each county has a Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA). Contact your local CUPA for inspections.
Find Inspectors →