California Code, Health and Safety Code - HSC § 42359.5

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article or of Article 2 (commencing with Section 40820) of Chapter 8 of Part 3, the chairman of a district hearing board, or any other member of the hearing board designated thereby, may issue, without notice and hearing, an emergency variance to an applicant.

(b) An emergency variance may be issued for good cause, including, but not limited to, a breakdown condition. The district board in consultation with its air pollution control officer and the hearing board may adopt rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this subdivision, to further specify the conditions, and to what extent, an emergency variance may be granted.

The emergency variance shall not remain in effect longer than 30 days and shall not be granted when sought to avoid the provisions of Section 40824 or 42351.