Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) / Hazardous Materials Management Program

The Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) is the administrative agency that coordinates and enforces numerous local, state, and federal hazardous materials management and environmental protection programs within the City of Oakland.

CUPA offers businesses several benefits: single point of contact for permitting; billing and inspections; uniformity and consistency in enforcement of regulations; and a single fee system incorporating all of the fees from multiple programs (See the master fee schedule for rates).

Facilities that store, generate, and/or use hazardous materials above threshold amounts must submit compliance documentation, obtain a CUPA permit annually, and pass periodic inspections to ensure safe operation and regulatory compliance. The program areas covered by the Oakland CUPA are listed below.

For more information, look at this website, go to the links listed at the bottom of this page, and/or call (510) 238-3927.

Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP): A management and inventory plan for emergency response and community 'right to know' purposes, that must be filed with the Oakland CUPA by all facilities that store more than 30 gallons, 500 pounds, and/or 220 cubic feet aggregate of hazardous materials onsite.

Hazardous Waste Generators (HWG): The required tracking of the generation, disposal, and/or treatment of hazardous waste from the "cradle to the grave."

California Accidental Release Program (CalARP): A permit for the development of a Risk Management Plan to minimize the dangers related to the storage and use of large quantities of highly hazardous materials.

Hazardous Waste Treatment / Tiered Permitting: Permitting and tracking the onsite treatment of hazardous waste.

Underground Storage Tanks (UST): Plan review, permitting, and monitoring required for the use of underground storage tanks to store and/or dispense hazardous liquids.

Aboveground Storage Tanks (AGT): Plan review, permitting, and spill prevention required for the use of aboveground storage tanks to store and/or dispense hazardous liquids.

California Fire Code (CFC): All CFC requirements pertaining to the storage and use of flammable and hazardous materials.

Redevelopment of Sites w/Historical Contamination: Sites in Oakland that have received regulatory closure and/or have actual or potential contamination must be evaluated prior to redevelopment to assess human and environmental health and safety.

Industrial and Commercial Stormwater Protection: All commercial facilities must practice proper stormwater best management practices to prevent pollution of stormdrains, creeks, lakes, and the Bay.

Links to Other Regulatory Resources