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Department of Environmental Health
Hazardous Materials Program
Frequently Asked Questions - New Fee Schedule


  1. Why are the fees changing?

    2. To comply with a recent public initiative (Proposition 26) to ensure fairness and equity in government fees, the Hazardous Materials Program conducted an extensive study to realign service fees with the full cost of providing related services and activities.

  2. Are you increasing fees?

    3. Some fees will go up, while others will decrease.  Overall, the total revenue for the Hazardous Materials Program is not expected to change as a result of the proposed fee adjustments.

  3. Do the new fees impact me or my business?

    4. Over 90% of facilities regulated by the Hazardous Materials Program will see a change in their fees. Whether your total fees increase, decrease, or remain unchanged depends upon the type and number of permits held by your facility. Please refer to the proposed fee schedule below for details.

  4. Why do I have to pay fees?

    5. The Hazardous Materials Program implements State-mandated and local programs to protect human health, safety, and the environment. In addition to protecting protect public health, the programs provide valuable compliance information for businesses receiving services. Costs for providing the services are not subsidized by the State or County General Fund. The Program collects 100% of its annual revenue from service fees.

  5. What do I get for those fees?

    6. We perform a variety of activities and services including, but not limited to:

    • Construction and closure plan reviews
    • Routine, complaint, construction and closure inspections
    • Public information and outreach
    • Training
    • Enforcement against unpermitted and non-compliant facilities

  6. When do the proposed fees go into effect?

    7. The fees will become effective July 1, 2012.

     
  7. What if I disagree with the proposed changes or want to make a comment?

    8. We welcome your comments and suggestions!  Written comments may be submitted by fax (408)280-6479, or by mail to:

    Santa Clara County
    Department of Environmental Health
    Attn: Hazardous Materials Program Manager
    1555 Berger Drive, Suite 300
    San Jose, CA  95112-2716