As outlined in the Virginia Construction Code, plans, permits and inspections relating to fuel tanks shall be required in accordance with the table below by either the Office of the Fire Marshal or Land Development Services depending on the size, location and type of tank.
This policy is designed to eliminate the duplication of services provided in relation to inspection, plan review and permitting for fuel storage tank installation, abandonment or removal.
WARNING: No product shall be introduced into tanks or product lines until a representative from the Office of the Fire Marshal has witnessed the required test(s) or inspection(s) and granted written approval.
| Fuel Tank Type |
Installation Site |
Activity |
Fire Prevention Code (Fire Prevention Division) |
Virginia Construction Code (Land Development Services) |
| Permit |
Plans |
Insp. |
Permit |
Plans |
Insp. |
Permit |
Plans |
Insp. |
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
(LPG-Propane) |
Commercial1 |
Installation
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
| Commercial2 |
Removal
|
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Residential3 |
Installation
|
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Residential2 |
Removal
|
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Diesel Fuel or Gasoline |
Commercial 1,4 |
Installation
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
| Commercial 4,5 |
Abandonment or removal
|
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
| Residential 4 |
Installation
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
| Residential 4 |
Abandonment or removal
|
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
| Fuel Oil |
Commercial1,6 |
Installation
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
| Commercial |
Abandonment or removal
|
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
| Residential |
Installation
|
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Residential7 |
Abandonment or removal
|
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
1 Plans, permits (plumbing/mechanical/electrical), and inspections shall be required from Land Development Services for service piping, branch line piping, and equipment served. Contact 703-222-0801, TTY 711 (Permit Application Center), 703-631-5101, TTY 711 (Building Plan Review), or 703-631-5101, TTY 711 (Commercial Inspections).
2 The Fire Prevention Division shall be notified at 703-246-4849, TTY 711, at least 48 hours in advance of removal. Permit fees and plan reviews may apply.
3 If the property has a well and/or septic system and includes any aboveground fuel storage tank(s) with a capacity of 500 gallons or more or any underground fuel tank(s), the permit applicant must contact the Health Department at 703-246-2201, TTY 711. Additional permit fees and plan reviews may be required.
4 State Water Control Board Department of Environmental Quality regulations shall apply for aboveground storage tanks greater than 660 gallons and underground storage tanks greater than 110 gallons.
5 Owner is required to submit the results of a soil sampling to the State Water Control Board for evaluation after the removal/closure of the tank.
6 Aboveground tanks greater than 660 gallons shall be registered in accordance with the State Water Control Board regulations. Aggregate aboveground storage in excess of 5,000 gallons shall comply with Pollution Prevention requirements of the State Water Control Board regulations.
7 No permit is required for abandonment or removal if the fuel oil tank is aboveground and is 60 gallons or less.
