What is a UST? 

A UST is an "Underground Storage Tank."

Did you know that when you get gas from a gas station, the fuel is pumped up from massive tanks in the ground underneath you?  

UST owners/operators are required by law to have certain physical and procedural safeguards to prevent and mitigate releases. The ESFD CUPA inspects these tanks and reviews documentation to ensure compliance with the regulations. The ultimate goal is to protect the public and the environment from releases of petroleum and other hazardous substances from the USTs.

To learn more about the UST Program, please visit the State Water Resources Control Board website.

Which permit(s) do I need for my UST?

Note: These options only cover permits overseen by the Environmental Safety Division and do NOT cover permits required by other divisions or regulations.

A. CUPA Permit

 You need a CUPA permit for the UST program if you have one or more underground storage tanks defined by law as:

"any one or combination of tanks, including pipes connected thereto, that is used for the storage of hazardous substances and that is substantially or totally beneath the surface of the ground" (certain exceptions apply).

CUPA permits must be renewed annually. See our Billing & Permitting page for more details.

B. Plan Check Permit

Your business/facility needs a UST plan check permit for reasons including but not limited to:

• UST installation
• UST abandonment by removal
• UST abandonment-in-place
• UST system modifications or repairs, such as:
  • Tank top / sump upgrade
  • Re-piping
  • Equipment replacement (e.g. sensors, line leak detectors)
  • Overfill prevention
  • Secondary containment
  • Spill containers
• UST entry relining repairs
• UST temporary closure

Plan Check permits are specific to the project/scope of work. See further down the webpage for more info.

C. ... Or Both?

• If you are installing a UST, you will also need a CUPA permit to legally operate that new UST.
• If you are removing or abandoning a newly discovered UST, you do NOT need a CUPA permit.
• If you have been operating an existing UST system and would like to remove or modify it, you should already have a CUPA permit. 

How do I get a CUPA permit for UST?

To obtain a UST permit, you will first submit your information in CERS. Our inspectors will review your submittal, and then we will invoice you for the appropriate permit fees. All program permits (UST, HMBP, etc.) are consolidated into one CUPA permit. See our Billing & Permitting page for more details.

How do I get a Plan Check permit?

Before any work begins to install, remove or modify an underground storage tank (UST) system, you must:

• Apply for a Plan Check permit
• Pay the Plan Check fees
• Wait for the plans to be reviewed and approved by the El Segundo Fire Department.

The ESFD uses a third-party platform called OpenGov for plans review, permit approval, and payment processing.

To apply for a Plan Check permit, click here: Fire Prevention Plan Check

Note: Before any secondary containment testing work begins on a UST system, notification must be provided to the Principal Environmental Specialist.

Where is the UST program mentioned in the regulations?

• California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Division 3, Chapter 16
• California Health & Safety Code, Statutes of Chapter 6.7
• City of El Segundo Municipal Code, Title 5, Chapter 5