Oil Tanks on Business Property in NJ: The 2,000 Gallon Line
Home heating oil tanks get most of the attention, but plenty of New Jersey businesses, churches, small offices and mixed-use buildings also have buried heating oil tanks. The rules depend on size.
The line
The NJDEP’s homeowner FAQ answers a question from a business owner. Unregulated heating oil tanks are all residential heating oil tanks and non-residential heating oil underground storage tanks of 2,000 gallons or less. So a small tank at a business can go through the same program as a home.
Larger tanks
For non-residential heating oil underground tanks larger than 2,000 gallons, the department says they must be registered with the DEP and remediated through the Licensed Site Remediation Program.
What this means for a buyer of commercial property
Check the size of any tank, and where it falls. The size decides which rules apply and who has to be hired.
What stays the same
- Removal of an underground tank requires a closure-certified individual working for a closure-certified firm.
- A discharge must be reported at once to the hotline, 1-877-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337).
- Cleanup of a leak requires a certified subsurface evaluator or a Licensed Site Remediation Professional, depending on the program.
See Who Can Remove an Underground Oil Tank in NJ? and When to Call the NJ DEP Hotline.
Records
Ask the seller for tank registrations, permits, past inspections and any No Further Action letters. See How to Find Out If Your NJ Home Has an NFA Letter for how the state’s search works.
Finding tanks nobody listed
Older commercial buildings often have buried tanks with no paperwork. A sweep searches the site, and an exploratory dig identifies what the equipment finds.
Oil Tank Scan NJ works across New Jersey. Call 732-673-1584.
