Decommissioning an oil tank

[James Lusk]

I am putting an offer on a home in Lake Forest Park, WA built in 1916. The home used to run off oil but has since switched natural gas. The owner claims the oil tank was decommissioned but can't seem to come up with documentation. Two questions here. First, where could one check to see if it had indeed been decommissioned? Maybe city permitting? Second, if it has not been decommissioned, what problems could this possibly pose for a homeowner? This will be a personal residence in this case. Thanks!

[Account Closed]

Originally posted by @James Lusk:

I am putting an offer on a home in Lake Forest Park, WA built in 1916. The home used to run off oil but has since switched natural gas. The owner claims the oil tank was decommissioned but can't seem to come up with documentation.
Two questions here. First, where could one check to see if it had indeed been decommissioned? Maybe city permitting?
Second, if it has not been decommissioned, what problems could this possibly pose for a homeowner? This will be a personal residence in this case. Thanks!

Hi James. Depending on the city, you can find records in different places. Call the city, and you can also try the Fire Marshalls office.

If you are concerned about it and the owner can't prove it was decommissioned, you can call a company to do a "locate" service where they will locate the tank, measure it and determine if it's been decommissioned or is still operational. I like to use Seattle Tank, they are quick and easy to deal with.

If you are lucky, you might be able to convince the seller to pay for it, but usually their agent will to you that inspections are the buyers responsibility.