HazMat Program 

Provides a comprehensive inspection and environmental regulation service under the California Fire Code and Health and Safety Code for new construction, tenant improvements and annual permit occupancies. The San Luis Obispo Fire Department’s hazardous materials program is a Participating Agency for the San Luis Obispo County Environmental Health Department’s Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) administers the following activities and is currently staffed by one Hazardous Materials Coordinator.

• Review and approval of Hazardous Materials Business Plans (HMBPs) and Inventories;
• Annual inspection and permit issuance for:

• Above ground Tanks under State Health and Safety Code (Chapter 6.67)
• Hazardous Materials Storage
• Hazardous waste management
• Non-point Source
• Underground Tanks under State Health and Safety Code (Chapter 6.7)

• Plan review and permit issuance for new construction, tenant improvements, and installation and closure of hazardous material processes;
• Investigation for cause and origin of hazardous material releases;
• Training of emergency response personnel and the business community; and,
• Processing of public information requests involving hazardous materials under the Freedom of Information Act

The Hazardous Materials Program is cost recovery for these aspects of the program providing service to the business community. Fees are based upon the actual time required for permit application review and inspections.

At the time of its creation the Fire Department's Hazardous Materials Program primary responsibility was to enforce the hazardous materials requirements of the Uniform Fire Code and to provide training to the Fire Department's personnel on the hazards associated with the chemicals used throughout the City. Today, the Hazardous Materials Coordinator provides a comprehensive environmental regulatory compliance inspection service. The Coordinator’s responsibilities include permit issuance, inspection and enforcement for compliance with the California Fire Code (with amendments contained in the City of San Luis Obispo Municipal Code) and State Health and Safety Code (Chapters 6.67, 6.7 and 6.95)

Please note: San Luis Obispo Fire Department DOES NOT accept fireworks/explosive devices. Please contact the Sheriff's Department or Harbor Patrol.

If you have household hazardous waste, please visit the IWMA. 

The stores listed below participate in the SLO Take Back Program meaning they take back single-use batteries, button batteries, rechargeable batteries, undamaged CFLs and fluorescent tubes, mercury thermostats, paint, needles and sharps and medications if they sell them. Also, specifically stores that sell paint will accept some unused paint back through the paint care program (https://www.paintcare.org/products/).

Best Buy
California Fresh Market San Luis Obispo
Costco
Cuesta Equipment
Dollar Tree Store
Food 4 Less
Hayward Lumber
Home Depot
Miner’s Ace Hardware
Ralphs Grocery
Rite Aid
San Luis Garbage Co.
Smart & Final
Staples
Target/CVS Pharmacy
Vons
Whole Foods Market

To report an emergency; on-going dumping of hazardous materials; or an accident involving hazardous materials call 911.