Montana State Guide
Aboveground Storage Tank Requirements in Montana
A buyer's overview of SPCC, fire code, and permitting considerations for aboveground fuel tanks in Montana — before you specify a system.
Federal SPCC baseline
The federal SPCC rule (40 CFR Part 112) applies to non-transportation-related facilities storing oil aboveground above regulatory thresholds. As a general rule, a facility with more than 1,320 gallons of aggregate aboveground oil storage capacity — counting every container 55 gallons or larger — falls within SPCC's scope. Facilities that trigger SPCC must develop a written Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan, meet secondary containment requirements, and in many cases certify the plan through a licensed Professional Engineer.
Farm and agricultural fuel storage carries specific SPCC exemption criteria — generally tied to total facility storage capacity and individual tank size — worth confirming early in Montana given how much of your territory's demand comes from agricultural operations.
DEQ vs. Fire Marshal — the key distinction in Montana
Montana draws a clean line that's worth understanding precisely: DEQ's storage tank program regulates tanks that meet the legal definition of an underground storage tank — which specifically includes an aboveground tank with connected underground product piping. If your AST is fully aboveground with aboveground piping, Montana DEQ's UST program doesn't apply to it at all. Instead, standalone ASTs are governed by the State/Federal/International Fire Codes enforced through the Montana State Fire Marshal's office — a genuinely different regulatory path than the DEQ-centric process a UST installation would follow.
In practice, this means for most standalone double-wall AST installations you're sourcing, your primary point of coordination is the State Fire Marshal (406-444-2050) and your local fire official — not DEQ, unless your facility independently triggers SPCC or your tank has underground piping connections that pull it into UST territory.
Siting coordination beyond the fire code
Montana installation guidance also calls for coordinating with the local Planning Department, the Local Floodplain Administrator, and — for new installations in relevant habitat areas — the Montana Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Program. These aren't universal requirements for every site, but they're common enough on rural Montana projects (particularly agricultural or energy-sector sites) that it's worth checking early rather than discovering a habitat or floodplain review requirement after a tank is already on order.
Common mistakes we see in Montana projects
Routing a standalone AST inquiry to DEQ by default — for a fully aboveground tank with aboveground piping, the Fire Marshal's office is usually the right first call, not DEQ.
Assuming a farm tank is automatically SPCC-exempt without confirming the specific capacity criteria — exemptions are conditional, not automatic.
Skipping floodplain or habitat coordination on rural sites where it applies, then facing a delay after the tank has already been ordered.
Typical permitting process
Confirm applicability — determine SPCC thresholds, farm-tank exemption status, and whether your piping configuration pulls DEQ's UST program into scope.
Site & tank design review — siting, setbacks, secondary containment, and UL 142 double-wall construction.
Permit submission — coordination with the State Fire Marshal's office and local fire official, plus floodplain/habitat review if applicable.
Inspection & commissioning — final inspection, tank commissioning, and SPCC plan certification if applicable.
Requirements vary by facility type and local jurisdiction. Confirm current thresholds with the Montana State Fire Marshal (406-444-2050) and DEQ where applicable.
Quick Facts — Montana
Environmental Agency
Montana DEQ (UST program — not standalone ASTs)
Fire Code
State/Federal/International Fire Codes via State Fire Marshal
SPCC Trigger
Federal threshold (40 CFR 112)
Notable
Fully aboveground tanks with aboveground piping fall to the Fire Marshal, not DEQ's UST program
Regional Demand Drivers
Agriculture, energy, rail
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FAQ
Montana AST FAQ
Are farm fuel tanks exempt from SPCC in Montana?
Certain agricultural storage may qualify for SPCC exemptions; eligibility depends on use and capacity — confirm your facility's specific criteria before assuming exemption.
Does Montana DEQ regulate my standalone AST?
Generally no — DEQ's storage tank program covers tanks meeting the legal UST definition, which includes ASTs with connected underground piping. A fully aboveground tank with aboveground piping instead falls to the State Fire Marshal's office.
Who do I contact to start the permitting process in Montana?
The Montana State Fire Marshal's office (406-444-2050) and your local fire official are the primary contacts for most standalone AST installations.
Do I need to coordinate with anyone besides the fire marshal?
On rural sites, coordination with the local Planning Department, Floodplain Administrator, or the Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Program may be required depending on location — worth confirming early.