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Hazardous Materials Business Plan Program

What is the Hazardous Material Business Plan?

Hazardous materials are defined as items which, because of their quantity, concentration, or physical and/or chemical characteristics, pose a hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released or any material specified in a local ordinance code. A Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) provides the Ventura County Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA), local fire agencies, and the public with information on hazardous materials at businesses and most government facilities.

A “hazardous material” includes any substance which:

The law requires businesses that store, use, or handle hazardous materials at or above specified threshold amounts to provide the CUPA with a HMBP. The CUPA provides HMBP data to emergency response agencies, including local fire departments. These agencies use the information during hazardous materials emergency responses. 

The CUPA is responsible for HMBP program compliance throughout Ventura County, except for the City of Oxnard and the City of Ventura. The law requires that the HMBP, records of employee training, and updated site maps be available for review as part of the inspection. The CUPA conducts routine HMBP inspections to:

  • Ensure compliance with HMBP laws, regulations, and local policies
  • Provide guidance on preventing or minimizing the risk of hazardous materials spills or releases.
  • Verify hazardous materials inventories, Emergency Response/Contingency Plans, Site Maps, and Training.

Submit Your HMBP in the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS)

Facilities must submit a HMBP to the CUPA electronically through the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) within 30 days of bringing hazardous materials onsite that are at or above threshold. Also, a new and/or amended HMBP is required to be submitted to CERS within 30 days if, at any time during the reporting year, any of the following occur:

  • 100 percent or more increase of a previously disclosed material
  • Any undisclosed material(s)
  • Change of facility address, ownership, or name
  • Any significant change: any change in a regulated facility that would inhibit immediate response during an emergency by either site personnel or emergency response personnel or that could inhibit the handler’s ability to comply with the HSC, Section 25507, change the operation knowledge of the facility, or impede implementation of the business plan.

HMBP Laws and Regulations

More Helpful Documents and Links

Contact Us

For specific questions about your permitted facility, please contact your Area Inspector.

Matthew Madison
Program Specialist
Matthew.Madison@ventura.org
(805) 662-6511

Kassandra Carrillo
Technical Lead
Kassandra.Carrillo@ventura.org
805-662-6511

Other Regulatory Contacts

Oxnard CUPA
cupa@oxnard.org
(805) 385-7722

Ventura PA
Brett Reed
BReed@cityofventura.ca.gov
(805) 320-8337

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