Section 40503 Of Article 7. Variances And Permits From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 26. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 5.5. >> Article 7.
40503
. (a) The south coast district hearing board, in determining
whether the petitioner has presented evidence sufficient to make the
findings specified in subdivision (a) of Section 42352, shall
consider, in addition to any other relevant factors, both of the
following:
(1) In determining whether conditions exist that are beyond the
reasonable control of the petitioner, the hearing board shall
consider whether the petitioner took actions to comply or seek a
variance, that were timely and reasonable under the circumstances. In
so doing, the hearing board shall consider actions taken by the
petitioner since the adoption of the rule from which the variance is
sought.
(2) In determining whether requiring compliance would result in
either an arbitrary or unreasonable taking of property or the
practical closing and elimination of a lawful business, the hearing
board shall consider whether an unreasonable burden would be imposed
upon the petitioner if immediate compliance is required.
(b) (1) As used in this subdivision, "small business" means a
business that is independently owned and operated and meets all of
the following criteria:
(A) The number of employees is 10 or less.
(B) The total gross annual receipts are five hundred thousand
dollars ($500,000) or less.
(C) Emits not more than four tons per year of any nonattainment
air contaminant or its precursor.
(2) If the petitioner is a small business, the hearing board shall
consider the factors specified in subdivision (a) in the following
manner:
(A) In determining whether the petitioner took timely actions to
comply or seek a variance, the hearing board shall make specific
inquiries into the reasons for any claimed ignorance of the
requirement from which a variance is sought.
(B) In determining whether the petitioner took reasonable actions
to comply, the hearing board shall make specific inquiries into the
petitioner's financial and other capabilities to comply.
(C) In determining whether the burden of requiring immediate
compliance would be unreasonable, the hearing board shall make
specific inquiries into, and shall balance, the impact to the
petitioner's business and the benefit to the environment that would
result if the petitioner is required to immediately comply.
(c) Where the petitioner is a governmental agency, public
district, or any other governmental or public entity, in determining
whether an unreasonable burden would be imposed, the hearing board
shall consider any effects of requiring immediate compliance on the
availability of essential public services.