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Liquid Waste Haulers (Vehicles) & Permitting Requirements

Published on December 22, 2021. Last modified on July 25, 2024

Liquid Waste Haulers

What is Liquid Waste?

Liquid waste includes human waste, sewage and septic waste. Liquid waste does not include grease, brine water, solid waste (including refuse, garbage or rubbish) or material classified as hazardous waste.

Who needs a Health Permit?

  • Any vehicles (including vehicles from outside of Monterey County) that haul OR discharge any liquid waste in the County of Monterey.

Purpose of the Liquid Waste Hauler Program

The County of Monterey Health Department’s Solid Waste Services (HD) is the local enforcement agency that is responsible for administering and enforcing the County of Monterey Code of Ordinance to all persons and businesses with vehicle(s) that haul liquid waste in the County of Monterey area. The HD oversees the registration requirements and annual inspections for all liquid waste haulers (vehicles) operating in this County.

The purpose of this program is to prevent the illegal discharge of liquid waste from vehicles and storage tanks that can contaminate waterways, agricultural fields and the environment. There is a potential health risk that can lead to illness when people/animals consume the food grown in contaminated fields or drink water from a contaminated water source.

Any leaks identified in the liquid waste storage compartments and/or vehicle components from either an inspection or complaint inspection will result in a cease-and-desist order to discontinue any liquid waste pumping & hauling-related-activities for the vehicle(s) of interest until the issue has been repaired and the business has received approval from the HD inspector, ensuring liquid waste will be properly contained during storage and transport.

The Liquid Waste Hauler program ensures that:

  • Liquid waste is properly discharged at an authorized wastewater treatment facility and
  • All vehicles, storage tank compartments and tank components are watertight and free of any openings, cracks, splits, holes or breaches, preventing uncontrolled discharge of liquid waste.
Liquid Waste Hauler Permit Sticker Sample
  • Each Liquid Waste Vehicle that is permitted and can operate has a Monterey County Health Permit sticker attached to the front windshield located on the passenger side of the vehicle.
    • If you see any un-permitted liquid waste hauler(s) operating in Monterey County, please report to the Monterey County Environmental Health Department (Phone #: (831)755-4505 | E-mail: SWTeam@co.monterey.ca.us) and provide the following information:
      • Business name and Phone Number
      • Location where the vehicle is operating
      • Photograph (if applicable).
      • Once the Health Department receive your response, the un-permitted business will be contacted to meet compliance
  • Each Health Permit sticker has a unique 4-digit identification number and is assigned to the vehicle after the vehicle inspection. There are no duplicate Health Permit stickers with the same 4-digit identification number and Health Permit stickers are not transferable between vehicles.
  • Health Permit stickers have two large numbers representing the fiscal year the Health Permits are valid. The Health Permit Sticker in the photo is valid from July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015.
  • Health Permits expire on July 1 of each year. The date range the Health Permit is valid is listed on the Health Permit.
  • Each business is required to renew and pay for the Health Permit(s) before July 1 of each year if the business’ vehicle(s) will continue to operate into the new fiscal year (July 1-June 30) and are either:
    • Hauling/transporting liquid waste on roadways in the County of Monterey as part of their service and/or business or
    • Discharging liquid waste at any permitted disposal facilities (wastewater treatment plant) in the County of Monterey.
  • For information on how to renew your Health Permit, scroll down to section “How to Renew your Health Permit”
  • Fill-out and submit a Liquid Waste Hauler Application form to the Health Department:
    • Please list the yard address as the facility address on the application form. Please note that the Liquid Waste Hauler Vehicles are required to be stored and maintained in a yard zoned for either industrial or agricultural. Yards zoned for residential are not approved locations to store and maintain the vehicles.
    • The Application can be submitted in-person or e-mailed:
      • In-person at the Health Department building located on 1270 Natividad Rd., Salinas, CA 93906 or
      • E-mail: SWTeam@co.monterey.ca.us
  • Ensure vehicle(s) meet the list of vehicle requirements. The vehicle requirements are listed in the section below.
  • Ensure Health Permit fees are paid before time of inspection and provide proof of payment.
  • Schedule an inspection.
  • Health permit(s) will be issued after vehicle(s) are inspected and meet vehicle requirements.
    The following items are displayed on both sides of the vehicle in letters and numbers no less than 3 inches in height by 3/8 inches in width:
    • Business name,
    • Address,
    • Phone number and
    • Tank capacity (For example: “Waste 1500 Gal” and “Water 500 Gal”)
  • Tank(s) shall:
    • Be of metal construction,
    • Be watertight and leak-proof,
    • Be fitted with an automatic shut-off system to prevent overflow,
    • Have a functioning gauge that indicates actual tank capacity,
    • Have watertight and leak-proof tank components but not limited to covers, manholes pumps, caps, valves, and hoses.
      • All valves shall be operated from the valve itself and not at the driver’s seat or by remote control.
      • At all times, caps shall be attached to the vehicle by either a rope or chain.
  • The inside of the tank must be accessible for periodic cleanout.
  • All containers carried on the vehicle must be clearly labeled with a product name or intended use.
      Any original labels that have been removed from the containers shall be either replaced by another label or labeled with a permanent marker.
  • The following items must be carried on the vehicle:
    • Hoses in good repair, watertight, leak-proof and free of tape or other temporary repair materials,
      • Suction hoses must be cleaned out back into the septic tank, grease trap, or cesspool being pumped and not onto the ground.
    • Shovel,
    • Hand cleaner/sanitizer for truck operator,
    • A minimum five (5) gallons of clean water for clean-up purposes,
    • 25 feet of garden hose or equivalent,
      • Used to clean the suction hose(s) and/or used during disinfection process.
      • Equipment rinsing shall be done in such a manner as to prevent spillage.
    • A Cal/OSHA compliant fire extinguisher, and
    • A Cal/OSHA compliant first aid kit.
    • A minimum of 1 gallon of bleach, granulated pool chlorine (HTH) or other approved disinfectant (for disinfection in case of accidental spill).
      • Pine-sol or chemical toilet additives are not approved disinfectants.
  • At all times, vehicles and equipment must be free of garbage, debris, and dirt in areas where they may collect.
  • Vehicles must be stored and maintained at a yard zoned for either industrial or agricultural.
    • The yard shall maintain proper chemical storage and have landowner approval to store liquid waste hauler vehicles on the premises.
  • Manifest (pumping & discharge) records must be retained for 3 years and available upon request during the inspection.
    • Manifest records include the following:
      • Date, client address, type of liquid waste, gallons pumped, disposal site, and client’s name.
  • A current Monterey County Health Permit Sticker must be displayed on the front windshield of the vehicle after the vehicle has been inspected.
  1. During the month of May, each business is required to re-submit a Liquid Waste Hauler Application form with a list of liquid waste vehicles and tank trailers (if not permanently attached to the vehicle or will be interchanged between vehicles) information that will be operating during the new fiscal year.
    1. Check the box labeled “Other” under application type and indicate “Permit Renewal” on the blank line.
    2. Please list the yard address as the facility address on the application form.
    3. The renewal application can be submitted in-person or e-mailed:
      1. In-person at the Health Department building located on 1270 Natividad Rd., Salinas, CA 93906 or
      2. E-mail: SWTeam@co.monterey.ca.us
    4. Once the Health Department receives your renewal confirmation, you will receive an invoice for the Health Permit renewal.
  2. Contact the Health Department to Schedule an inspection during the month of June (prior to the start of the new fiscal year).
  3. Ensure Health Permit fees are paid before the time of the inspection.
  4. After the vehicle(s) have been inspected and meet the vehicle requirements, Health Permit sticker(s) will be issued for each vehicle. Health Permit(s) will be mailed-out.

Wastewater Treatment Plants in Monterey County

  • City of Soledad Wastewater Treatment Plant
    • 34520 Morisoli Road, Soledad, CA 93960
    • Phone: (831) 223-5184
    • Operation Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Monterey One Water
    • 14811 Del Monte Boulevard, Marina, CA 93933
    • Phone: (831) 422-1001
    • Operation Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 am-5:30 pm, Friday 7:30 am-5pm

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR HEALTH PERMIT:

Each Health Permit issued is specific to all of the following:

  • Business owner,
  • Business and
  • The business address where the business is operating at the time of registration.
  • A closing business will not automatically close your business/vehicle(s) registration status and discontinue receiving notifications related to the liquid waste hauler program and permit renewal requirements from the Health Department.
  • Your business is required to provide a written notification (application forms can be used) to the Health Department (HD) to confirm that the business has closed and to provide the date of closure. Once the HD is notified, the HD will close your business/vehicle(s) registration status and your business will no longer be automatically notified to renew the Health Permit annually before the start of the upcoming fiscal year.
  • Health Permits CAN NOT be transferred if there is a change in owner(s) or you are selling your business.
    • If there is a business owner change or you are selling your business, your business is required to provide a written notification to the Health Department, provide the date for when your business either changed ownership or sold your business and the name of either the new owner or business.
    • If the new owner/business will continue to provide liquid waste hauling services, the new owner is required to register by filling-out and submitting the Liquid Waste Hauler Application form to Health Department.
  • If your business will be relocating your liquid waste vehicle(s) into a new yard to be stored and maintained, your business is required to submit a written notification (Liquid Waste Hauler Application form can be used) to the Health Department (HD) to update your business information.
  • Please list the new yard address as the facility address on the application form.
  • Vehicles must be stored and maintained at a yard zoned for either industrial or agricultural.
    • The yard shall maintain proper chemical storage and have landowner approval to store liquid waste hauler vehicles on the premises.

Monterey County Health Department

1270 Natividad Road, Salinas, California 93906

If you have any questions, please contact the Environmental Health Department.
Phone #: (831)755-4505 | Fax #: (831) 796-8693| E-mail: SWTeam@countyofmonterey.gov

Additional Resources

Liquid Waste Hauler Application form
List of Vehicle Requirements