COVID-19 Information
To protect the health of our community and staff during the COVID-19 health emergency, Hazardous Materials Program staff may not be physically present at our Department office during open office hours. However, we continue to assist the public and our regulated facilities both remotely and through limited field activities. For fastest service, please direct inquiries as follows.
Emergencies – For an active spill or illegal dumping that is threatening human health or the environment, call 911. For non-emergency complaints use the Spills and Complaints link below.
Underground storage tank (UST) facilities - Submit electronic construction and closure permit applications, testing notifications, test reports, and UST inquiries to [email protected]
All other inquiries - Please contact your inspector, email us at [email protected], or call the Department of Environmental Health’s main phone at 408-918-3400 and ask to speak with a representative from the Hazardous Materials Program. If we are busy assisting others when you call or email, we will be sure to respond within 48 hours.
For information and guidance regarding coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit http://www.sccgov.org/covid19
Visit Santa Clara County Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Website
COVID-19 Concerns and Services
Visit www.scccovidconcerns.org to report your COVID-19 concerns using the County's new portal. In addition, you can connect to other resources like business call center, submitting SDPs, and reporting COVID positive cases at workplaces.
Visit Santa Clara County COVID-19 Concerns and Services Website
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Vision Statement
A healthy and sustainable environment for all.
Mission
Our mission is to protect human health and the environment through education, collaboration, and the consistent and equitable implementation of hazardous materials inspection and enforcement programs.
History
The Hazardous Materials Compliance Division (HMCD) was established in 1983 with the adoption of the local Hazardous Materials Storage Ordinance (HMSO), which regulates the storage of hazardous materials both above and below ground. This ordinance, the first of its kind in the state, has several key provisions that when implemented by businesses, provides protection of public health and the environment.
In addition to the HMSO, HMCD enforces the County's Toxic Gas Ordinance and Non-Point Source (Urban Runoff) Ordinance.
Passage of Senate Bill 1082 in 1993 required consolidation of state-mandated hazardous waste and hazardous materials management programs within a singled Unified Program, to be administered by a Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA). These programs are:
- Hazardous Waste Generator Program
- Tiered Permitting Program
- Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP)
- Aboveground Storage Tank Program (APSA)
- Underground Storage Tank Program (UST)
- California Accidental Release Program (CalARP)
HMCD has been certified by the state to be the CUPA to administer these six programs throughout Santa Clara County, except in the cities of Santa Clara, Gilroy, and Sunnyvale, which are themselves CUPAs. It is their responsibility to consolidate administration of the six programs by consolidating permits and billing of permit fees, and developing a single inspection and enforcement program. HMCD works closely with the city jurisdictions that serve as Participating Agencies within the County Unified Program to develop and implement all required Unified Program elements.
Contact Us
1555 Berger Drive
Building 2, 3rd Floor
San Jose, CA 95112
United States