Does an Old Oil Tank Have to Be Removed in PA?

Q: How much does oil tank removal cost?

Published figures: above-ground $500–$1,500 (average $1,100); underground $1,000–$3,000+ (average $1,900). Leaks cost more.

When removal usually makes sense

Disclosure: PA sellers must disclose known material defects on the property disclosure statement⁶.
Lenders: under Fannie Mae's guide, when an appraiser knows of a hazardous condition, the appraisal must note it and be made "subject to" inspection by a qualified professional⁴. Lenders may ask for testing, soil sampling, or removal/closure documentation⁵.
Insurers: standard homeowners policies may exclude gradual leakage and pollution cleanup⁵^,7.
Title insurance covers title defects, not contamination in the soil⁷.
Environmental risk: a leaking tank turns a routine job into a cleanup project⁸.

Alternatives

Abandon in place (buried tanks): empty, clean and fill. Keep the paperwork⁵. See abandonment.
Sweep first if you aren't sure a tank exists⁷.
Leave it, disclosing known defects when you sell⁶.

What it costs

Job	Published figure	Source
Above-ground / basement tank removal	$500–$1,500	⁹
Above-ground tank removal	average $1,100	⁸
Underground heating-oil tank removal	$1,000–$3,000+	⁹
Underground heating-oil tank removal	average $1,900	⁸
Soil sample lab analysis	about $220 each, typically 2–3 samples	⁸
Tank sweep (magnetometry), residential lot	$250–$500 (Philadelphia source)	⁷

Leaks change the picture: cleanup is a separate, larger project⁸^,9. Figures are published ranges, not quotes.

Lehigh Valley towns with the most oil-heated homes

Municipalities we cover where at least 30% of occupied homes are heated mainly by fuel oil or kerosene, estimated by the Census¹⁰:

Town	Fuel-oil share	Homes (± margin of error)
Upper Mount Bethel Township	55.9%	1,475 ± 243
Lower Mount Bethel Township	53.5%	634 ± 117
Washington Township (Northampton)	53.2%	1,030 ± 207
Lehigh Township	47.0%	2,021 ± 304
Lower Milford Township	42.4%	616 ± 132
Plainfield Township	41.6%	1,045 ± 282
Coopersburg	40.3%	442 ± 96
Wind Gap	39.9%	603 ± 142
Bushkill Township	39.5%	1,255 ± 210
Pen Argyl	39.2%	545 ± 184
Washington Township (Lehigh)	37.5%	1,020 ± 207
North Whitehall Township	33.6%	2,017 ± 298
Lynn Township	32.3%	551 ± 135
Moore Township	32.2%	1,113 ± 208
Bangor	31.7%	630 ± 197
Williams Township	31.2%	818 ± 215
Nazareth	30.3%	908 ± 208

For comparison: Allentown 14.1%, Easton 8.6%¹⁰. These are 5-year survey estimates; small towns have wide margins of error.

FAQ

Does PA DEP require me to remove my home heating oil tank?

No. Tanks storing heating oil burned on the premises are excluded from the state program, and DEP says home heating oil tanks are not regulated¹^,3. Owners usually act because of a sale, a lender, an insurer, or leak risk.

How much does oil tank removal cost?

Published figures: above-ground $500–$1,500⁹ (average $1,100⁸); underground $1,000–$3,000+⁹ (average $1,900⁸). Leaks cost more.

Can I sell a house with a buried oil tank in PA?

State law doesn't prohibit it, but you must disclose known material defects⁶, and the buyer's lender may require inspection or documentation⁴^,5.

Get a free quote

Tell us where the tank is (basement, side yard, buried, or unknown) and whether you're buying, selling, or refinancing. Allentown Tanks will connect you with a qualified local tank contractor. (215) 434-1322 · Request a quote

Sources

Sources accessed 2026-10-25 by TANKER Traffic.

Does an Old Oil Tank Have to Be Removed?