Sources and Citations for Every Maryland Oil Tank Claim
Every regulation, deadline and dollar figure on this site traces to a row below, with the date it was read and what would make it stale. A claim that cannot get a row does not go on a page.
ContactWhy a Tank Site Needs a Citation List
Oil tank content is unusually prone to confident invention. Two sites elsewhere in this niche have published state rules that were never written, and in this market a well-ranked page still describes a reimbursement program that closed two years ago. Anything here that describes a regulation, a statute, a deadline or a figure has a row below naming where it came from and when it was read.
Dates carry as much weight as sources. A figure published without one ages into a wrong figure quietly, and this material gets repeated onward by search summaries that will not carry the caveat on our behalf.
One practical note about method. Both agencies that matter most here, MDE and Baltimore County, block automated requests to their websites. Rather than work from somebody else’s summary of them, the regulation text below was read from the state’s own regulation library section by section, and anything that exists only on a blocked agency page sits in the open questions rather than in the citations.
Every Source Behind a Claim on This Site
F1
A residential heating oil tank must be permanently closed within 30 days of the determination that it will be permanently closed. COMAR 26.10.01.13 governs the delivery, use, installation and permanent closure of residential heating oil tanks.
COMAR 26.10.01.13 Residential Heating Oil Tanks
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Any amendment to COMAR 26.10.01, or a new MDE fact sheet restating the deadline.
F2
On permanent closure of an aboveground or interior residential heating oil tank, all flammable and combustible liquids are removed and disposed of under federal, state and local law, and the tank, piping, fill pipe and vent pipe are removed from the property.
COMAR 26.10.01.13 Residential Heating Oil Tanks
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Amendment to COMAR 26.10.01.13.
F3
An underground residential heating oil tank installed on or after 13 June 2022 must be UL listed for underground use or built to a Department-approved industry standard, and constructed of corrosion-protected steel or fiberglass reinforced plastic.
COMAR 26.10.01.13 Residential Heating Oil Tanks
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Amendment to COMAR 26.10.01.13, or a change to the June 2022 effective date.
F4
New and replacement residential heating oil tanks must meet NFPA 31, with corrosion protection in accordance with NFPA 30 and NFPA 31. Tanks in flood-prone locations must be secured against floating.
COMAR 26.10.01.13 Residential Heating Oil Tanks
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: A new edition of NFPA 31 adopted by reference, or an amendment to COMAR 26.10.01.13.
F5
Heating oil may not be delivered to a residential tank with a known spill or release, an unstable tank, or a tank with no way to determine the level, which means a functioning vent whistle, a functioning overfill alarm, or a person confirming there is capacity. Delivery companies hold an Individual Oil Operations Permit issued by MDE; a homeowner may deliver to their own tank.
COMAR 26.10.01.13 Residential Heating Oil Tanks
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Amendment to COMAR 26.10.01.13.
F6
Permanent closure or change-in-service of an underground storage tank system is performed or supervised by a certified UST system technician or remover.
COMAR 26.10.10.02 Permanent Closure and Changes-in-Service
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Amendment to COMAR 26.10.10.
F7
The owner or operator notifies MDE at least 30 days before beginning a permanent closure or change-in-service, and confirms 48 hours in advance of beginning it.
COMAR 26.10.10.02 Permanent Closure and Changes-in-Service
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Amendment to COMAR 26.10.10.02, or a published MDE variance practice.
F8
Before closure the tank and piping are emptied and cleaned by removing all flammable, combustible and other liquids and accumulated sludge. A tank being removed is purged of explosive vapors, monitored, rendered unfit for further use by cutting holes or openings, and disposed of at a Department-approved location.
COMAR 26.10.10.02 Permanent Closure and Changes-in-Service
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Amendment to COMAR 26.10.10.02.
F9
An underground tank may be abandoned in place only if MDE approves, and approval requires a report signed by a professional engineer demonstrating that removal would harm nearby structures or utilities. The tank is then filled completely with a solid, inert and flowable material so there are no voids.
COMAR 26.10.10.02 Permanent Closure and Changes-in-Service
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Amendment to COMAR 26.10.10.02, or published MDE guidance on approval criteria.
F10
An assessment of the excavation zone is carried out after notifying MDE and before the permanent closure or change-in-service is complete. COMAR 26.10.10 also covers temporary closure (.01), assessing the site at closure (.03), previously closed systems (.04) and closure records (.05).
COMAR 26.10.10 Out-of-Service UST Systems and Closure
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Amendment to COMAR 26.10.10.
F11
MDE certifies four UST categories: UST System Technician (install, upgrade, repair, closure, change-in-service), Heating Oil Technician (heating oil systems of 2,000 gallons or less for consumptive use), UST System Remover (closure and change-in-service) and UST System Inspector. An individual may only perform UST system work for which they hold a certification, and certifications expire two years from issuance.
COMAR 26.10.06.01 UST System Technician, Remover, and Inspector Certification
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Amendment to COMAR 26.10.06, or a change in the two-year term.
F12
The certification is issued by MDE's Permits and Support Division, Oil Control Program, under Environment Article, Section 4-405, Annotated Code of Maryland and COMAR 26.10.06. The examination pass mark is 90 percent. Renewal requires approved UST training within the past two years plus work at six UST sites for a technician or remover, or ten inspection sites for an inspector, or retesting. Stated application cost is $0.00 and the stated approval timeline is 40 days.
Maryland OneStop, Underground Storage Tank Technician, Remover, Or Inspector Certification
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Any change to the OneStop listing, particularly the fee and the renewal evidence.
F13
MDE's Oil Control Program is at 1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21230-1719, telephone (410) 537-3442. The regulator for oil tanks statewide is headquartered inside Baltimore City.
Maryland OneStop, contact block on the UST certification listing
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Any relocation of MDE headquarters or change of program number.
F14
Environment Article 4-705(b)(2) reads: "Until June 30, 2024, the residential owner of a heating oil tank eligible under 4-704(b)(1)(iii) of this subtitle may apply to the Fund for reimbursement not later than 6 months after the completion of rehabilitation for usual, customary, and reasonable costs incurred on or after October 1, 2000, in performing the site rehabilitation." The equivalent non-residential window in 4-705(b)(1) closed on 30 June 2021.
Md. Code, Environment 4-705, subsection (b)
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Any Maryland General Assembly session reopening the window. Check the Environment Article each spring.
F15
COMAR 26.10.14.06 requires a reimbursement application to be submitted until the date established by Environment Article 4-705(b), and no later than 6 months after completion of site rehabilitation. Applications submitted on or after 1 July 2022 also had to carry an SDAT property database search result or the most recent property tax assessment notice.
COMAR 26.10.14.06 Application Requirements
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Amendment or repeal of COMAR 26.10.14.
F16
COMAR 26.10.14.08 set a $500 deductible per occurrence. Before 1 July 2022 reimbursement could not exceed $20,000 per occurrence. After that date the limit was tiered by property value: up to $20,000 and 100 percent of eligible costs at or under $300,000; up to $10,000 and 50 percent above $300,000 and up to $600,000; up to $5,000 and 25 percent above $600,000. Each limit is reduced by the deductible.
COMAR 26.10.14.08 Reimbursement Limits and Deductibles
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Repeal of COMAR 26.10.14, which would normally follow the statutory window closing.
F17
COMAR 26.10.14.01 states the chapter provides the mechanisms for reimbursing a residential owner of a residential heating oil tank system for certain site rehabilitation costs under Environment Article 4-704(b)(1)(iii), and may not be construed as entitling a residential owner to reimbursement. The program's name is the Residential Heating Oil Tank System Site Rehabilitation Reimbursement Program.
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Amendment or repeal of COMAR 26.10.14.
F18
COMAR Title 26 Subtitle 10 runs to eighteen chapters. The ones that reach a house tank are 01 Oil Pollution Control, 06 certification, 08 spill and release reporting, 09 response and corrective action, 10 out-of-service systems and closure, 13 oil-contaminated soil, 14 the residential reimbursement program and 17 shop-fabricated aboveground storage tanks.
COMAR Title 26 Subtitle 10, chapter list
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Addition or renumbering of a chapter in Subtitle 10.
F19
EPA gave final approval to Maryland's underground storage tank program revisions, codification and incorporation by reference under docket EPA-R03-UST-2025-0091, effective 10 November 2025. The approved material includes COMAR 26.10 chapters 03, 04, 05, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12 and 16. EPA stated the action "merely approves the existing State regulations as meeting the Federal requirements" and imposes no additional requirements on the regulated community. MDE retains primary enforcement authority and EPA retains concurrent authority.
Federal Register, 11 September 2025, document 2025-17519
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: A further Maryland program revision application submitted to EPA Region 3.
F20
Only MHIC licensed contractors may contract with a homeowner for home improvement work on residential property containing one to three dwelling units. Excavating appears among the work the Commission licenses, and the Commission states its list is not exhaustive. The Maryland Home Improvement Commission sits in the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing at the Maryland Department of Labor, telephone 410-230-6231.
Maryland Home Improvement Commission, Maryland Department of Labor
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: MHIC guidance on whether a standalone tank closure is licensable work. Open item U4 on this page.
F21
On 21 July 2026 about 50 gallons of home heating oil entered a storm drain at Highland Avenue and Brewers Green Way in Canton, Baltimore. MDE said there was no significant public safety concern. Residents reported greasy patches and an oil odor on Highland Avenue the following morning. The cause was not established in reporting.
The Baltimore Sun, 21 July 2026
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Any follow-up reporting naming a cause or a responsible party.
F22
On 4 June 2025 roughly 5,000 gallons of dyed diesel entered Baltimore's storm drain system and reached the water at Fells Point, from a third-party vendor's generator tanks serving Johns Hopkins Hospital. Ten city and state agencies, the US Coast Guard and four contractors responded. MDE reported 18,000 gallons of oil and water mixture recovered by the following day.
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Final MDE incident total, which may differ from the figure reported during response.
F23
Baltimore County's Ground Water Management Section, inside the Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability, manages drinking water wells, on-site sewage disposal, removal of residential underground storage tanks, and disposal of solid and hazardous waste. It publishes a certified underground fuel storage tank removal contractor list, most recently dated September 2024, and it holds per-property records of past tank removals released on request. Telephone 410-887-2762.
Baltimore County Government, Ground Water Management
Read 22 August 2026, via the County's own published page titles and document index
Recheck: The County page returns 403 to automated requests and needs a human read. Confirm the permit process, the fee and the current contractor list by phone.
F24
Baltimore City tank work sits under the Department of Housing and Community Development's One and Two Family Combo Permit for residential property, or the Commercial and Multifamily Combo Permit. City guidance distinguishes tanks under 600 gallons, which require a site plan and construction detail, from new and replacement tanks over 660 gallons on the commercial side. A separate Razing permit covers demolition and requires an on-site consultation with the building inspector before issue.
Baltimore City, Permit Information by Category
Read 22 August 2026
Recheck: Whether DHCD publishes a removal-specific permit type. The category page covers installation thresholds, not removal. Open item U2 on this page.
Maryland Tank Questions Still Open
Six things we wanted to publish and could not source properly. They are listed rather than quietly omitted. A gap you can see is something you can go and close yourself, and a confident figure with nothing behind it is not. Each one names the office that holds the answer.
U1
The Baltimore County Tank Permit Fee
The County requires the permit and sends an inspector, and publishes no fee we can reach. Its site refuses automated requests. Ground Water Management on 410-887-2762 holds the answer.
U2
The Baltimore City Permit Position on Removal
Does the City require a permit to remove a residential oil tank, and under which type? Its published categories cover tank installation thresholds and demolition, and name no removal-specific type. That is a gap in the categories rather than a confirmed no.
U3
MDE's Own Guidance Documents
mde.maryland.gov returns 403 to every automated request, including its residential heating oil page and its aboveground closure fact sheet. Regulation text on this site was read from regs.maryland.gov, the official Library of Maryland Regulations, rather than from anybody's paraphrase. MDE's guidance documents still need a human read.
U4
MHIC Licensing on a Standalone Closure
Is an MHIC license required for a tank closure with no other home improvement work attached? Excavating appears on the Commission's list of licensable work and the Commission says the list is not exhaustive, which leaves the standalone case open. MHIC on 410-230-6231.
U5
The Oil-Heated Household Share in Both Baltimores
Aggregator figures exist and their pages refuse automated access, so they cannot be verified or dated. The proper source is ACS table B25040, and until it is pulled directly no share appears anywhere on this site.
U6
A Maryland Removal Price With a Date On It
Every published figure we could open is national or from another state. The cost page prints those with their origins marked rather than relabeling them as Maryland numbers.
What This Site Declines to Publish
A Baltimore price range of our own. There is no partner behind this site yet, so any range here would be a number with a city name attached and nothing underneath it. The cost page sets out the seven components a removal pays for instead, which is the part that survives without a partner.
A permit fee. Baltimore County charges one and does not publish it anywhere reachable, so the line stays empty until somebody reads the County schedule and tells us what is on it.
Credentials. This site explains MDE’s certification categories because they decide who may lawfully close an underground tank. It does not claim to hold one, and it carries no reviews, no years-in-business figure and no address, since inventing any of those is the specific failure this cluster exists to avoid.
Anything from a page we could not open. Several pages carrying Maryland cost figures return 403 to automated requests. Quoting one anyway would be quoting a search summary of a page rather than the page itself.
Corrections to Any Source on This Page
If a figure here has moved, or you hold the Baltimore County fee schedule, send it. Corrections get made and dated the same way everything else here is.
No phone number appears on this site because there is no line to answer it. Everything happens in writing, which also means you keep a copy of what was said.
Send a Correction or a Question
Say where the tank sits and whether the address is inside Baltimore City or in Baltimore County. Those two answers decide the whole sequence, and we will set it out for you.