(a) The regulations in this chapter are intended to protect waters of the state from discharges of hazardous substances from underground storage tanks. These regulations establish construction requirements for new underground storage tanks; establish separate monitoring requirements for new and existing underground storage tanks; establish uniform requirements for unauthorized release reporting, and for repair, upgrade, and closure of underground storage tanks; and specify variance request procedures.

(b) Owners and operators shall comply with these regulations except as otherwise specifically provided herein. If the operator is not the owner, then the owner shall enter into a written contract with the operator requiring the operator to monitor the underground storage tank; maintain appropriate records; and implement reporting procedures as required by any applicable permit. Both the owner and operator are responsible for assuring that the underground storage tank system is repaired or upgraded in accordance with Article 6, or closed in accordance with Article 7, as appropriate.

(c) Counties shall implement the regulations in this chapter within both the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county through the issuance of underground storage tank operating permits to underground storage tank owners. A city may, by ordinance, assume the responsibility for implementing the provisions of this chapter within its boundaries in accordance with section 25283 of the Health and Safety Code. Local agencies shall issue an operating permit for each underground storage tank, for several underground storage tanks, or for each facility, as appropriate, within their jurisdiction.

(d) Owners and operators shall comply with the construction and monitoring requirements of Article 3 (new underground storage tanks) or the monitoring requirements of Article 4 (existing underground storage tanks). However, owners of existing underground storage tanks which meet the construction and monitoring requirements of Article 3 may be issued operating permits pursuant to the requirements of Article 3 in lieu of the requirements of Article 4. In addition, owners or operators of underground storage tanks shall comply with the release reporting requirements of Article 5, the repair and upgrade requirements of Article 6, the closure requirements of Article 7, the underground storage tank operating permit requirements of Article 10 and the corrective action requirements of Article 11.

(e) On and after October 1, 2018, the period between all testing and inspections shall not exceed the maximum number of months set forth in these regulations. All testing and inspections shall be completed anytime before or during the month the testing or inspection is required.