An underground storage tank, also called a UST, is defined as a tank, and any underground piping connected to the tank, that has at least 10% of its combined volume underground. Depending on what is stored in the UST and the USTs purpose, the UST may be required to meet certain requirements under Missouri's Underground and Petroleum Storage Tank Law. Businesses or individuals that own a UST need to determine if their UST is regulated. 

Above ground storage tanks are regulated by the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

All regulated USTs must be registered with the department. USTs that store either petroleum or certain hazardous substances are regulated. The following USTs are not regulated:

  • Farm and residential tanks with a capacity of 1,100 gallons or less, storing motor fuel used for noncommercial purposes
  • Tanks storing heating oil used on the premises where it is stored
  • Tanks on or above the floor of underground areas, such as basements or tunnels
  • Septic tanks and systems used for collecting stormwater and wastewater
  • Flow-through process tanks
  • Tanks with a capacity of 110 gallons or less
  • Emergency spill and overfill tanks

Length of Permit

The department shall establish effective dates and expiration dates for the initial Certificate of Registration between one to five years and subsequent Certifications of Registration are valid for five years.

A certificate of registration for facilities in compliance is valid for as long as the facility information or tank equipment stays the same. An updated registration form is required if the owner information or tank equipment and operation changes. 

Laws, Rules and Regulations

For more information about Underground Storage Tank, you may visit the department's Underground Storage Tank Requirements website.

How to Apply

Applications

The underground storage tank owner will need to a completed application and submit registration fees to the department.

Owners of regulated underground storage tanks must also ensure the registration on file with the department remains current and accurate. Owners are required to submit an amended registration form whenever changes are made to a system, including name or ownership changes. Please review the department's Underground Storage Tank Summary database to check the accuracy of your registration information.

For more information about underground storage tank requirements and other standards, visit Underground Storage Tank Requirements.

Fact Sheets

Fees 

The registration fee is $75 per tank payable every five years.

Timeline/ Process

The owner of the new UST system must register no later than 30 days after bringing the tank into operation (dispensing fuel or using the product for its intended purpose). The average processing time for the registration is 10 days. The department will request additional information if the application is not complete, which will delay the review process.

Public Participation

No public notice required to register a UST system. However, for each confirmed release that requires a corrective action plan, the department must provide notice to the public. This notice may include, but is not limited to, public notice in local newspapers, block advertisements, public service announcements, notice in a state register, letters to individual household or personal contact by field staff. Before approving any corrective action plan, the department may hold a public meeting to consider comments on the proposed corrective action plan if there is sufficient public interest or for any other reason. 

Administrative Hearing Commission

Anyone who is adversely affected by the director's decision to issue, deny, suspend or revoke a permit must appeal within 30 days of the decision to the Administrative Hearing Commission as provided by 621.250.3 RSMo. All appeals must be filed by petition and send to:

Administrative Hearing Commission
PO Box 1557
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: 573-751-2422
Fax: 573-751-5018
Website: Administrative Hearing Commission

Requirements

Changes

Owners of regulated USTs must ensure the registration on file with the department remains current and accurate. Owners are required to submit an amended registration form whenever changes are made to a UST system, including name or ownership changes. Please review the department's Underground Storage Tank Summary database to check the accuracy of your UST registration information. 

Installation, Inspection and Compliance Requirements

The certificate is good for five years based on a complaint inspection, maintaining financial responsibility requirements, payment of fees and having no outstanding issues with compliance with the Underground Storage Tank Law. 

Any additional documentation required for the registered tank is based on the inspection cycle and the equipment on site. To determine the required testing and due dates, contact the department's Underground Storage Tank Compliance and Technology Unit at 573-751-6822 or Underground Storage Tank Requirements website. 

Operational Compliance

Any tank that is in use (contains product) must comply with all related UST regulations (financial responsibility, release detection, corrosion protection, including cathodic protection and lining requirements). Once a tank is brought into operation for the first time, “in use” is based solely on whether the tank contains product and is not related to whether or not product is being used or dispensed.

Learn more about Underground Petroleum Storage Tank Operational Compliance Fact Sheet PUB3079

Reporting

Renewal

Tank registrations are not required to renew annually. The registration is only updated when a change is required or the owner/operator changes. If there are no changes to the registered tank, the department will mail the owner/operator a bill for the registration fee on a five-year cycle. 

Resources

Standards from organizations other than the department that pertain to investigating and remediating petroleum contamination at regulated tank sites may be used in lieu of department guidance only with the department’s prior approval.

Additional Resources

Environmental Consultants

This list is not comprehensive. It lists consultants and laboratories from which the department has received reports. The information is as it appeared when last provided to the department, so it may no longer be accurate. This list does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any individual person, company or laboratory. Additional consultants and laboratories are available in phone directories and other resources.

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Related Links

Missouri Underground Storage Tanks Database
Underground Storage Tank Requirements

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