The City of Palo Alto’s Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Priority Building Materials Deconstruction Program ensures that PCBs from certain materials and projects do not enter our storm drain system. This page outlines requirements for these applicable projects. All Bay Area cities follow these requirements per the Municipal Stormwater Regional Permit.
Requirements Effective May 11, 2022
(Image source: WASTECOSMART)
The San Francisco (Bay) has certain sport fish with high levels of PCBs. To make the fish safer to eat and protect human health, PCB sources to the Bay need to be identified and controlled. Urban stormwater runoff is a significant pathway for PCBs to enter the Bay. This Program focuses on potential sources to urban runoff that may contain PCBs from whole building deconstruction.
For more information and resources on PCBs, visit the Regional Water Board’s webpage. 
(Source: State of California San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board)
For this program, “Applicable” or “Covered Structures” are defined as buildings constructed or remodeled between January 1, 1950 and December 31, 1980. Buildings that are either wood-framed, single-family residential, or two-family residential (duplex) are exempt and not considered applicable structures regardless of the age of the building.
The following describes general Program requirements. Applicants should review all documents per instructions below for details.
(Applies only to projects subject to Planning Review)
NOTE: If steps during Planning Phase were carried out, skip to Step 3.
NOTE: Currently there is no certification program for firms conducting PCBs surveys or abatement. A list of Consultants and Contractors self-determined to be qualified to conduct a pre-deconstruction PCBs building survey and PCBs abatement is provided by local professional organizations. The City of Palo Alto does not recommend or certify these firms. Click here for more info.
Follow Applicable federal and state laws if PCBs are determined to exist in Priority Building Materials: This may include reporting to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). These agencies may require additional sampling and abatement of PCBs.
Deconstruction & Construction Materials Management webpage
Public Works, Watershed Protection Group
Phone
(650) 329-2122
Email
cleanbay@cityofpaloalto.org
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
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(650) 329-2100
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Last updated on March 06, 2023