Michigan Law for Above-Ground Fuel Tanks on Farms

Approved Containers

• In compliance with Michigan state law, all flammable fuels must be contained in a container that is approved for flammable fuel storage by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Storage of flammable fuels and contents in a tank or other device that is not approved for such storage by the EPA is a violation of environmental protection laws as mandated by the EPA and the State of Michigan, and is subject to state and federal fines based on the nature of the offense.
  
  

Requirements on Labeling

• Under rules set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency and section 29.5 of the Michigan Legislative Code, all flammable materials stored on any public or private land in which the public may reasonably come into contact must be contained in an approved storage vessel that is clearly marked with verbiage warning of its contents. Failure to clearly mark such containers constitutes a fire hazard and is considered an unlawful threat to public safety under Michigan law.
  
  

Tanks Allowable Per Site

• Under Michigan law, no more than three above-ground fuel tanks are permitted on any parcel of property at one time. In addition, each fuel tank may hold no more than 1,100 gallons of fuel at any given time, regardless of its capacity to do so. Further, tanks may not be connected or otherwise hooked together so that multiple tanks operate as a single unit. Doing so is a violation of state law and subjects the offender to fines as deemed appropriate by a court of law.
  
  

Requirements on Separation from Wells

• Michigan law requires that a safe amount of space be placed between each tank as a means of limiting fire risks and the contamination of wells. Under Michigan law, single-family homes that obtain drinking water from wells must place above-ground fuel tanks no less than 50 feet from the water well in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1992. Fuel tanks located on dairy farms or farms with one or more employees must be stored no less than 800 feet away to be in compliance with state and federal regulations.