REGULATION II

PROHIBITIONS 

Rule 215 Phase II Vapor Recovery System Requirements

A. No owner or operator of a retail service station shall transfer, permit the 

transfer, or provide equipment for the transfer of gasoline from a 

stationary storage tank at a retail service station into a motor vehicle fuel 

tank unless an ARB-certified Phase II vapor recovery system is installed 

and used during transfer. 

B. Exemptions to Rule 215 A

1. Phase I Exempted Tanks

A transfer of gasoline from a stationary storage tank which is 

exempt from Phase I requirements pursuant to Rule 214 B. 

2. Facilities With Less than 480,000 Gallons Annual Output

A transfer of gasoline from an existing retail service station with 

an annual gasoline throughput of 480,000 or fewer gallons. After 

the throughput exceeds 480,000 gallons this exemption shall expire 

on January 1 of the following year. 

C. Compliance Schedule

1. Throughput in Excess of 480,000 Gallons After 1988

If during any calendar year or portion of a calendar year after

1988, the gasoline throughput from an existing retail service 

station meets or exceeds 480,000 gallons, the exemption pursuant 

to Rule 215 B. 2 will expire. Upon expiration of this exemption 

the owner or operator of the retail service station shall: 

a. Immediately notify the Air Pollution Control Officer, in 

writing, in advance of the intended Phase II vapor recovery 

installation; and 

b. Secure all necessary permits and other approvals for the 

installation of the Phase II vapor recovery system within 

fifteen (15) months from the date the exemption expires; 

and 

c. Install the Phase II vapor recovery system within two (2) 

years from the date the exemption expires. 

Northern Sierra AQMD Rule 215 - 1 Amended 

Rules & Regulations 03/26/07 
REGULATION II

PROHIBITIONS 

2. New Retail Service Station

The owner or operator of any new retail service station shall 

install and use an ARB-certified Phase II vapor recovery system at 

the time gasoline is first delivered to the facility. 

3. Tank Replacement

At the time of tank replacement at an existing service station, an 

ARB-certified Phase II vapor recovery system shall be installed 

and used thereafter on all of the station's facilities, unless exempted 

by Rule 214.B (Phase I). 

D. Operation and Maintenance

1. A person shall not transfer, permit the transfer, or provide 

equipment for the transfer of gasoline from a stationary storage 

tank subject to the provisions of Rule 215 A (Phase II) into any 

motor vehicle fuel tank unless: 

a. The vapor recovery system is operating in accordance with the 

manufacturer's specifications and is maintained to be leak free, 

vapor tight, and in good working order; and 

b. The equipment subject to this rule is operated and maintained 

with none of the defects contained in the California Code of 

Regulations, Section 94006. 

c. Posting of Operating Instructions

The owner or operator of each gasoline dispensing facility 

requiring a Phase II vapor recovery system shall 

conspicuously post in the gasoline dispensing area 

operating instructions for the system and the District's or 

the Air Resources Board's telephone number for 

complaints. The instructions shall clearly describe how to 

fuel vehicles correctly with the vapor recovery nozzles, and 

shall include a warning that topping off may result in 

spillage or recirculation of gasoline. 

Northern Sierra AQMD Rule 215 - 2 Amended 

Rules & Regulations 03/26/07 
REGULATION II

PROHIBITIONS 

E. Defective Phase II Equipment - Prohibition of Use

Whenever the Air Pollution Control Officer or his designee determines 

that a Phase II vapor recovery system, or any component thereof, contains 

a defect specified by the Air Resources Board pursuant to Rule 215 D. 

1.a., 1.b, the Air Pollution Control Officer or his designee shall mark such 

system or component "Out of Order". No person shall use or permit the 

use of such marked component or system until it has been repaired, 

replaced, or adjusted as required to permit proper operation, and the Air 

Pollution Control Officer or his designee has re-inspected it or has 

authorized its use pending re-inspection. 

F. Federal Ozone Non-attainment Areas 

The following provisions shall apply only in those portions of the District 

designated as non-attainment of any federal ambient air quality standard for ozone 

and are in addition to and supersede all other provisions of this rule: 

1. No owner or operator of a stationary gasoline tank, retail or non-retail, 

with a capacity greater than 250 gallons, shall transfer, permit the transfer, 

or provide equipment for the transfer of gasoline from a stationary 

gasoline storage tank into a motor vehicle fuel tank unless an ARBcertified Phase II vapor recovery system is installed and used during the 

transfer. 

2. Exemptions to Section A of this rule: 

a) Small Tanks 

A gasoline storage tank with a capacity of 250 gallons or less. 

b) Annual Volume Throughput 

Any facility, retail or non-retail, where each and every month of 

operation in a calendar year has a volume throughput of less than 

10,000 gallons of gasoline. 

3. Compliance Schedule 

Any facility not exempt from this rule shall come into compliance with 

this rule no later than October 31, 2008 or within 15 months from the date 

the exemption expires. 

Northern Sierra AQMD Rule 215 - 3 Amended 

Rules & Regulations 03/26/07