Updated November 1, 2026. General information only, not legal, engineering, or insurance advice.
Get the fire department permit
Removing a heating oil tank requires a permit from your local fire department (form FP-292). Leaving an underground tank in place also requires fire department approval.
Underground tanks: check for contamination
MassDEP guidance calls for assessing the soil for contamination when a residential underground heating oil tank is closed. Certain releases must be reported to MassDEP.
Tips
- Get the permit and disposal paperwork from your contractor and keep it with your house records.
- Ask your homeowner's insurance agent whether the removal changes your coverage.
Get a free quote
If you would like a local pro to take a look, use the form on this page. It is free to ask and there is no obligation. Related: Oil Tank Removal, Oil to Heat Pump Conversion.