Yes, owning a tank in Missouri is legal but tightly controlled under state and local statutes. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) regulates aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) over 1,100 gallons and underground storage tanks (USTs) via the Petroleum Storage Tank Program, while local fire codes may impose additional restrictions. Recent 2026 amendments to MDNR Rule 10 CSR 20-9.100 tighten inspection protocols for tanks holding hazardous substances, requiring biennial third-party evaluations for facilities near waterways.
Key Regulations for Owning a Tank in Missouri
- Registration Mandates: All USTs and ASTs over 1,100 gallons must be registered with the MDNR’s Petroleum Storage Tank Program, with fees scaled by capacity. Failure to register triggers penalties up to $10,000 under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 260.525.
- Spill Prevention & Containment: Tanks must comply with MDNR’s 2024 Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) rules, mandating secondary containment and leak detection systems for facilities storing >1,320 gallons of oil. Local fire departments, such as the Kansas City Fire Department, enforce NFPA 30 standards for tank spacing and fire suppression.
- Zoning & Land Use Restrictions: Municipalities like St. Louis and Springfield impose additional setback requirements (e.g., 50-foot buffer from residential zones) via local ordinances. The 2025 St. Louis County Zoning Code prohibits tank installation in floodplains without a variance from the County Planning Commission.
Non-compliance risks include forced decommissioning, civil penalties, and potential criminal liability under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 569.095 for knowingly violating environmental laws. Consult MDNR’s Tank Management Portal for real-time compliance updates.