A. Except as provided in subsection B, no person shall own or operate a hazardous materials storage facility unless a permit application for its operation has been submitted to the CUPA. Any person who is to assume the ownership of a hazardous materials storage facility from the previous owner shall complete an approved form accepting the obligations of the permit and submit the completed form to the CUPA within thirty days after ownership is transferred. The CUPA may review and modify or terminate the transfer of the permit to operate the premises, pursuant to the criteria specified in this chapter.

B. Any person assuming ownership of a hazardous materials storage facility for which a valid operating permit has been issued shall have thirty days after the date of assumption of ownership to apply for an operating permit pursuant to this chapter or, if accepting a transferred permit, shall submit to the CUPA the completed form accepting the obligations of the transferred permit as specified in subsection A. During the period from the date of application until the permit is issued or refused, the person shall not be held in violation of this section.