In 1997, the Ventura County Hazardous Materials Program was approved by the California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be a Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA). The CUPA provides regulatory oversite for the following programs: Hazardous Waste Generator; Hazardous Waste Generator Onsite Treatment (Tiered Permit); Underground Storage Tank; Aboveground Storage Tank Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan; Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans and Inventory (Business Plan); and Risk Management Plan.

In addition to conducting annual facility inspections the Hazardous Materials Program is involved with hazardous materials emergency response, investigation of the illegal disposal of hazardous waste, public complaints, and stormwater illicit discharge inspections.