Expand Your Business

Building & Planning Departments

Applies to:

• Construction of a new building or structure
• Activities to remodel, expand or otherwise physically change a building or structure (including plumbing, mechanical and electrical modifications)
• Demolition of a building or structure
• Any change in the use or occupancy of a building or structure

What to do:

1. Prior to beginning construction or remodeling at locations in unincorporated Calaveras County, contact the Building Department to learn what permits and inspections you may need. You will also want to contact the Calaveras County Planning Department to ensure your business expansion is in accordance with the proper land use, entitlements, and zoning requirements.
2. For locations in Angels Camp, contact the City’s Planning and Development Department to learn about building permits and inspections.
3. If there is a change in your business operations you may be required to obtain additional approval and/or permits such as from the fire districts and Environmental Management Agency
4. Undergo inspections during the construction/remodeling process

Applies to:

• Any business, state or local government having employees.
• Equipment, structures, materials, activities or environments that pose hazards or safety issues to workers or to the public including, but not limited to: 

• Aerial equipment (ski lifts, trams, amusement rides), Asbestos related work, Compressed gas handling & storage, Confined Space Operations, Construction Activities (trenching, construction or demolition involving more than 3 stories, heavy equipment use, etc.), Crane Operations, Electrical Safety, Elevators, Environments requiring the use of personal protective equipment like hearing protection, respirators, eye protection, etc., Ergonomics, Fire Prevention Provisions, Flammable & Hazardous Material Handling, Forklifts, Ladder Safety, Pressurized Equipment (boilers, propane tanks, air tanks, etc.), Smoking in the workplace, Workplace exposures to hazardous substances including carcinogens, blood-borne pathogens, and hazardous materials, etc.

​What to do:

• Develop and implement an effective, written Illness & Injury Prevention Plan addressing workplace hazards.
• Undergo inspections by Cal-OSHA as part of its random inspection program or as the result of a complaint or serious injury in the workplace
• Obtain a permit for the following activities:

• Construction of trenches or excavations equal to or greater than 5 feet deep (if a person will enter at any time)
• Construction or destruction of a vertical shoring system equal to or greater than 36 feet high
• Construction or demolition of any building or structure equal to or greater than 36 feet high
• Fixed and mobile tower cranes 
• Helicopter operations used in construction activities
• Underground use of diesel engines in mines or tunnels 
• Use of air tanks, propane tanks greater than 125 gallons and high pressure boilers
• Elevator and escalator installation and operation (permit may also be required for other moving conveyance devices) 
• Amusement ride & bungee jumping operations
• Aerial passenger devices (trams, ski lifts, etc.)

 4.  Obtain registrations for either of the following:

• asbestos related work disturbing more than 100 square feet (applies to contractors and employers)
• use of a regulated carcinogen by an employer

 5.  Obtain certifications for:

• Operation of cranes rated more than 3 tons capacity 
• Safety representatives and gas testers for underground tunneling and mining operations 
• Contractors & Consultants for asbestos related work disturbing more than 100 square feet 
• Qualified Safety Inspectors of permanent amusement rides

CAL-OSHA website

The Environmental Health Department (EHD) is part of the county Environmental Management Agency. The mission of the EMD is to protect our environment and local community through collaboration, education, and regulation of state and locally mandated programs related to environmental management.

Regulation of Hazardous Material

Applies to:

The EMD is certified by CalEPA as a Unified Program Agency (CUPA) to assure that businesses handing greater than “threshold amounts” of hazardous materials maintain current inventories of the hazardous material that are used by the business, safely store and handle the materials, maintain safety plans, and are periodically inspected for compliance.

Regulatory thresholds are:

• 55 gallons of a hazardous liquid
• 500 pounds of a hazardous solid
• 200 cubic feet of a hazardous gas at Standard Temperature and Pressure

Regulation of tanks storing hazardous materials:

• Businesses having an underground storage tank (UST)
• Businesses storing more than 1320 gallons of petroleum products above ground storage tanks

What to do:

Due to the complex nature of environmental regulations pertaining to hazardous materials, it is recommended that you contact the CUPA to assure that all applicable regulations will be met.

Regulation of Hazardous Waste

Applies to:

A generator of any amount of hazardous wastes

What to do:

1. Obtain a hazardous waste generator permit (renewed annually)
2. Properly manage and dispose of generated hazardous wastes
3. Undergo triennial inspections for hazardous waste management requirements
    

Regulation of Retail Food Facilities

The retail food safety program assures that restaurants, markets, bars, community events, schools, bed and breakfast facilities, cottage food operations, and jails serve safe food. The EHD’s oversight activities include plan review of all new and remodeled food facilities, annual permitting, inspection, and complaint and foodborne illness investigation and follow-up.
 

Other Regulatory Programs

In addition, the EMA regulates public pools and spas, body art facilities, organized camps, public water systems (up to 200 service connections), and individual water systems, including the drilling and repair of water wells.

Environmental Health Department website

Small-Issue Industrial Development Bonds (IDBs) are tax-exempt, private-activity bonds that are issued to provide financing for construction or expansion of manufacturing facilities, or the purchase of new equipment.

Visit https://www.treasurer.ca.gov to learn more.

The Onsite Wastewater Department (EHD) is part of the county Environmental Management Agency. The mission of the EMD is to protect our environment and local community through collaboration, education, and regulation of the siting, design, installation, operation, and maintenance of onsite wastewater (septic) systems.

Stormwater Regulation

​​​​Applies to:

1. Any activities or conditions creating, or potentially creating, discharges of pollutants (anything other than pure rainwater) to the storm drain system

or

2. Discharges of pollutants or wastes bearing pollutants into or affecting surface waters

What to do:

1. All facilities, construction sites and persons must prevent discharge of pollutants to the stormwater system.
2. Gain coverage under the state's Industrial General Stormwater Permit for businesses involved with manufacturing, mining, concrete production, transportation (if fueling or maintenance is performed on-site), auto wrecking, recycling, scrap, hazardous waste storage and treatment facilities, and other activities specified in the Industrial General Permit
3. Gain coverage under the state's Construction General Permit for construction activities disturbing greater or equal to one acre of soil (or as part of a larger development project disturbing greater or equal to one acre)
4. Obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit for discharges of pollutants into or affecting surface water
5. Obtain Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) for waste discharges made to land or that impact groundwater

Calaveras Integrated Waste Management has resources available to serve the residents and businesses of Calaveras. Their mission is to ensure the availability of safe, responsible, and cost effective waste collection and disposal & recycling services to residents and businesses in Calaveras County. This site is for everyone interested in making smart choices about the waste which is generated in our homes, businesses, and our communities.

Integrated Waste Management website