EPCRA requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act

State Resource · California

California

Tier II reporting is required under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). Facilities that store hazardous chemicals above reporting thresholds must submit annual inventory information so emergency responders, state officials, and local authorities can prepare for incidents.

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EPCRA — key deadlines

Next due

Mar1

Annual Tier II report due

annual Tier II report due for the prior calendar year. HMBP / chemical inventory reporting runs through local CUPA process. The annual EPCRA filing deadline is generally treated as a hard deadline. Do not assume extensions unless the official state authority explicitly publishes one.

Window

Jan1–Mar1

Reporting window

Reporting Window for Tier II report for the prior calendar year.

Conditional

90days

Initial notification

after first exceeding a reporting threshold, if the state or agency instructions require initial notification.

Conditional

60days

New EHS on-site

after bringing an EHS on-site above its TPQ, where applicable under EPCRA planning rules.

Lead agency

CEMALCCalifornia Emergency Management Agency / local CUPAs

Portal / system

CERS / Hazardous Materi…CERS / Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP)

Reporting threshold

500 lb (Solid) | 55 gal (Liquid) | 200 cu ft (Gas)55 gal for EHSs, where applicable

State fee

VariesLocal CUPA fees vary.

Overview

Reporting thresholds

500 lbsolidCalifornia HMBP threshold for solid hazardous materials.
55 galliquidCalifornia HMBP threshold for liquid hazardous materials.
200 cu ftgasCalifornia HMBP threshold for gaseous hazardous materials.
500 lbor TPQ, lowerFor an Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS), report at this amount or its Threshold Planning Quantity, whichever is lower.
75,000 galgasoline · USTRetail gas-station exemption for all grades of gasoline stored entirely underground in UST-compliant tanks.
100,000 galdiesel · USTRetail gas-station exemption for all grades of diesel stored entirely underground in UST-compliant tanks.

Threshold note: Statewide contact centralization is weaker than other states; local CUPA should be treated as primary implementation authority.

Basic filing steps

1Gather facility identification details and your current hazardous chemical inventory.
2Access CERS / Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) or the state-approved filing channel.
3Enter or update facility, contact, and chemical information.
4Review the submission for completeness and certify accuracy.
5Submit the report and keep proof of filing.

Common compliance risks

Missing chemicals stored in separate systems, tanks, batteries, or process areas.
Incorrect quantity calculations or incorrect hazard classification.
Using the wrong portal, file format, or recipient routing for the state.
Failing to document proof of submission or to complete any manual local-delivery step.

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