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What Rules Apply to my Tank?

What Rules Apply to my Tank?

The rules that apply to your tank depend on whether it is underground or aboveground:

  • Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs)

    Governed by Michigan’s Flammable and Combustible Liquids (FL/CL) Rules (Michigan Administrative Code r. 29.5601 et seq.).

    Rules reference NFPA standards:

    • NFPA 30 (Flammable/Combustible Liquids) NFPA 30A (Motor Fuel Dispensing) NFPA 31 (Oil-Burning Equipment)

    Requirements include:

    • Secondary containment for single-wall tanks.
    • Public Retail or Private Motor fuel tanks: 1,101 gallons thru 12,000 gallons (Aggregate must not exceed 48,000 gallons).
    • Class II fuels at Private Motor fueling facility: up to 20,000 gallons individually, 80,000 gallons aggregate.
    • Farm AST systems that exceed 1,100 gallons in capacity are regulated under the same requirements as public and private motor vehicle fueling locations.
    • Setback distances based on tank class and usage.

    Installation requires an application (Form BFS‑3859) and approval from BFS.

     

  • Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)

    Regulated under Part 211 of NREPA (Act 451 of 1994) and federal standards 40 CFR Part 280.

    Requirements include:

    • Registration of the tank using form BFS‑3821.
    • Compliance with installation, repair, and removal permits.
    • Technical standards for leak detection, corrosion protection, and spill prevention.

    The Bureau of Fire Services oversees all UST permitting and licensing.

     

PRODUCT STORED IN TANK OR TYPE OF TANK

RULE
ABOVEGROUND STORAGE TANK (Liquids with flash point under 200 degrees) Michigan Flammable and Combustible Liquids Rules
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicular Fuel Systems
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG) Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases
GASEOUS AND LIQUID HYDROGEN (GH2/LH2) Storage and Handling of Gaseous and Liquefied Hydrogen Systems

UNDERGROUND - Commercial Tanks over 110 Gallons

Michigan Flammable and Combustible Liquids Rules; Michigan Underground Storage Tank Rules
UNDERGROUND - Farm Tanks under 1,100 gallons Michigan Flammable and Combustible Liquids Rules
UNDERGROUND - Farm Tanks over 1,100 gallons Michigan Flammable and Combustible Liquids Rules; Michigan Underground Storage Tank Rules
UNDERGROUND - Heating Oil Tanks Only Michigan Flammable and Combustible Liquids Rules
UNDERGROUND - Residential Tanks under 1,100 gallons--private use only Michigan Flammable and Combustible Liquids Rules
UNDERGROUND - Residential Tanks over 1,100 gallons Michigan Flammable and Combustible Liquids Rules; Michigan Underground Storage Tank Rules

LAST UPDATED: 06/15/2026