(a)  (1)  Any local agency may apply to the board for authority to implement design and construction standards for the containment of a hazardous substance in underground storage tanks which are in addition to those set forth in this chapter. The application shall include a description of the additional standards and a discussion of the need to implement them. The board shall approve the application if it finds, after an investigation and public hearing, that the local agency has demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that the additional standards are necessary to adequately protect the soil and the beneficial uses of the waters of the state from unauthorized releases.

(2)  The board shall make its determination within six months of the date of application for authority to implement additional standards. If the board’s determination upholds the application for authority to implement additional standards, the standards shall be effective as of the date of the determination. If the board’s determination does not uphold the application, the additional standards shall not go into effect.

(b)  (1)  Any permitholder or permit applicant may apply to the regional board having jurisdiction over the location of the permitholder’s or applicant’s facility for a site-specific variance from Section 25290.1, 25290.2, 25291, or 25292. A site-specific variance is an alternative procedure which is applicable in one local agency jurisdiction. Prior to applying to the regional board, the permitholder shall first contact the local agency pursuant to paragraph (5).

(2)  The regional board shall hold a public hearing 60 days after the completion of any documents required by the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code).

(3)  The regional board shall consider the local agency’s and the city’s, county’s, or city and county’s recommendations in rendering its decision. Failure of the local agency or city, county, or city and county to join in the variance application pursuant to paragraph (5) shall not affect the request of the applicant to proceed with the variance application.

(4)  The regional board shall approve the variance if it finds, after investigation and public hearing, that the applicant has demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence either of the following:

(A)  Because of the facility’s special circumstances, not generally applicable to other facilities’ property, including size, shape, design, topography, location, or surroundings, the strict application of Sections 25290.1, 25290.2, 25291, and 25292 is unnecessary to adequately protect the soil and beneficial uses of the waters of the state from an unauthorized release.

(B)  Strict application of the standards of Sections 25290.1, 25290.2, 25291, and 25292 would create practical difficulties not generally applicable to other facilities or property and that the proposed alternative will adequately protect the soil and beneficial uses of the waters of the state from an unauthorized release.

(5)  Before applying for a variance, the applicant shall contact the local agency to determine if a site-specific variance is required. If the local agency determines that a site-specific variance is required or does not act within 60 days, the applicant may proceed with the variance procedure in subdivision (a).

(6)  At least 30 days before applying to the appropriate regional board, the applicant shall notify and request the city, county, or city and county to join the applicant in the variance application before the regional board.

(A)  The city, county, or city and county shall provide notice of the receipt of that request to any person who has requested the notice.

(B)  The local agency within the city, county, or city and county which has the jurisdiction for land use decisions shall have 30 days from completion of any documents required by the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code) to act on the applicant’s request to join the applicant.

(c)  Applicants requesting a variance pursuant to subdivision (b) shall pay a fee determined by the board to be necessary to recover the reasonable cost of administering subdivision (b).

(d)  The permit issued for any underground storage tank issued a variance pursuant to subdivision (b) shall require compliance with any conditions prescribed by the board or a regional board in issuing the variance. The conditions prescribed by the board or regional board in the permit shall include any conditions necessary to assure compliance with any applicable requirements of the federal act.

(e)  This section does not apply to or within any city or county that was exempt from implementing this chapter as of December 31, 1984.

(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 42, Sec. 15. Effective July 7, 2003.)