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Guides / Car washes and gas stations

Car wash and gas station regulations by state

A state-by-state table of the rules that reach car wash and gas station sites: car wash water rules, the tank program's agency, fee and fund, and the adopted fire code, with a second table of city and county stacking and separation rules, every verified cell cited to its primary text.

Last reviewed

Start a projectSee the process
Statewide car wash reclaim statute found
California only: Water Code §§10950 to 10953 (AB 2230) [1, 2]
UST fees per tank per year
$0 (Texas) to $420 (North Carolina) [3, 4]
States with EPA-approved UST programs
39, plus DC and Puerto Rico, as of September 2021 [5]
Dispenser to buildable lot line
10 ft, and 5 ft from building openings (13VAC5-52-280, Virginia) [6]
Car wash stacking minimums in city codes
3 per service position (Tyler, TX) to 10 per lane (Tallmadge, OH; St. Charles, IL) [7, 8, 9]
Gas station separation from schools, local rules
300 ft from the nearest pump (Prince George's County, MD) to 600 ft (Rome, GA) [10, 11]

How states and cities divide the rules

Car wash and gas station regulations by state are thin at the state level and dense at the city level. A car wash meets state law mainly through its water: California is the only state found with a statewide reclaim statute, Water Code §§10950 to 10953, which covers in-bay and conveyor washes permitted and constructed after Jan 1, 2014 and leaves cities and counties free to require more [1, 2]. In metro Atlanta the regional water planning district "has mandated that all jurisdictions in the District's geographical area implement said model ordinance" for car wash recycling [12]. A gas station meets state law through the underground storage tank (UST) program and the adopted fire code: tank fees run from $0 in Texas to $420 per tank or compartment a year in North Carolina, and Virginia's adopted IFC keeps dispensers at least 10 ft from adjoining buildable lot lines [3, 4, 6]. Stacking counts, separation from homes and schools, and moratoria are set by cities and counties [7, 8, 10, 11].

The tables below set out what each state's own rules say where the research verified them, and what the cities and counties reached by the research require, so the point where the state stops and the local code begins is visible row by row.

Method note

Every value in the tables is read from a primary text: a state statute or administrative rule, a state agency's page or guidance, a state's adopted fire code, or a city or county ordinance, code section or staff report, cited by number in the cell. A rule read through a legal publisher's or code host's copy is named by its official citation and paraphrased, and the source list shows the copy. Fire code distances are tied to the state that adopted them, because the edition in force differs from state to state: Virginia's 13VAC5-52-280, the North Carolina Fire Code 2024 and New Hampshire's adoption of NFPA 30A, 2021 edition [6, 13, 14]. The source list gives the date each document was read where it is recorded.

Cells are marked two ways:

  • A rule or figure with a citation: the text as the cited document states it, with the section where the document gives one.
  • not verified in our research: the research did not reach a primary text for that cell, found the agency or rule only in a secondary list, or found two readings of the figure that disagree. It records a gap in the research, not an absence of a state or local rule.

Three kinds of figure are left out on purpose. Where readings disagreed, the figure waits until the primary text is reopened: California's reclaim percentage, which the statute text and trade press state differently, Michigan's annual UST fee, and Tennessee's per-compartment UST fee and the status of its suspension. Proposed ordinances and bills are not law and are not shown. Local rules known only through news reports, secondary code compilations or AI-generated meeting summaries are left out of the tables; the moratoria named below the tables are labeled as news reports where that is their source.

Car wash and gas station rules by state

The table has a row for every state and gives a value only where the research verified it: 44 states have at least one verified cell. Each verified cell carries its citation; city and county rules are in the next section.

StateCar wash water ruleOther state siting rule (fire code, noise, EV)UST agency and ruleUST annual feeUST fund and financial assurance
Alabamanot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchADEM; Ala. Admin. Code 335-6-15 and 335-6-16 [15]Trust Fund tank fee $0 (cap $150) plus a $0.01 per gallon charge; regulatory fee not verified in our research [15]Alabama Underground and Aboveground Storage Tank Trust Fund; the owner covers $5,000 per occurrence [15]
AlaskaDEC water and wastewater discharge rules: 18 AAC 72 for onsite systems, APDES for discharges to waters of the US [16, 17]State Fire Marshal plan review of fuel tank installation or change, statewide (AS 18.70.080; 13 AAC 50.027) [18]DEC Division of Spill Prevention and Response; 18 AAC 78 and 40 CFR 280; new USTs need secondary containment and interstitial monitoring (18 AAC 78.025); no EPA State Program Approval [19, 5]not verified in our researchnot verified in our research
ArizonaCommercial car washes need specific discharge permits (ADEQ pollution prevention guidance) [20]not verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our research
Arkansasnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchDivision of Environmental Quality; rule not verified in our research [21]Billed in May, due June 30; amount not verified in our research [21]Arkansas Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund [21]
CaliforniaWater Code §§10950 to 10953 (AB 2230): in-bay and conveyor washes permitted and constructed after Jan 1, 2014 recycle and reuse a minimum share of wash and rinse water or use a supplier's recycled water; self-service wand washes are excluded (§10950(c)); cities and counties may require more stringent levels (§10953); the percentage is not verified in our research [1, 2]Gov. Code 65850.7 (AB 1236): administrative approval of EV charging permits; Legal Alert OAG-2025-01 reminds localities they must comply [22, 23]State Water Resources Control Board with local CUPAs; 23 CCR Div. 3, Ch. 16, amended version effective Jan. 1, 2026 [24]No state per-tank fee found [24]Barry Keene UST Cleanup Fund [25]
Coloradonot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchCDLE Division of Oil and Public Safety; 7 CCR 1101-14, revised effective Jan. 1, 2025 [26]$35 per tank; $150 installation plan review [26]Petroleum Storage Tank Fund [26]
Connecticutnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchState program under EPA State Program Approval (40 CFR Part 282) [27, 5]not verified in our researchnot verified in our research
Delawarenot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchDNREC: 7 Del. C. Ch. 74 and 7 DE Admin. Code 1351; aboveground tanks under Ch. 74A and 1352; EPA program approval effective Oct 28, 1996 [28, 27]not verified in our researchnot verified in our research
FloridaDEP guidance on closed-loop recycle systems: spent process water goes to a permitted wastewater or pretreatment facility; it does not apply to truck or heavy equipment washes [29]not verified in our researchDEP Division of Waste Management; Chapter 62-761, F.A.C. [30, 31]$50 initial, $25 annual renewal due July 1, $20 late fee, per tank (Rule 62-761.400(4); s. 376.303) [30, 31]Inland Protection Trust Fund [30]
GeorgiaThe Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District mandates its reclaim model ordinance in member jurisdictions; EPD Rule 391-3-31 recommends recycling at least 50 percent of the water a conveyor wash uses [12]not verified in our researchEPD; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 391-3-15 [32]No per-tank fee found [33]; annual registration August 1 to December 31 [34, 35]GUST Trust Fund, optional: Environmental Assurance Fee $0.0075 per gallon and a $10,000 deductible [33]
HawaiiNPDES if discharging; DOH wastewater rules for washwater; a CWRM water use permit inside a Water Management Area [36, 37]not verified in our researchDepartment of Health UST program [36]not verified in our researchnot verified in our research
Idahonot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our research
IllinoisNo state car wash statute; in Cook County, sanitary discharge falls under MWRD's Pretreatment and Cost Recovery program [38]not verified in our researchOffice of the State Fire Marshal tank permits (Gasoline Storage Act, 430 ILCS 15/2; 41 Ill. Adm. Code 175 and 176); IEPA Leaking UST program after a release [39, 40]not verified in our researchUST Fund: up to $1,500,000 per occurrence, less a deductible of $5,000 to $100,000 set by OSFM [40]
Indiananot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchIDEM Office of Land Quality; rule not verified in our research [41]not verified in our researchExcess Liability Trust Fund; $1M for 1 to 100 systems, $2M over 100 [41]
Iowanot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchDNR UST Section; rule not verified in our research [42]$10 one-time per tank plus $65 a year for tanks of 1,100 gal or more; $250 late fee [42, 43]not verified in our research
Kansasnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our research
Kentuckynot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchEnergy and Environment Cabinet, Division of Waste Management, UST Branch; 401 KAR 42:020 [44]$30 a year per tank in the ground on July 1 (KRS 224.60-150) [44, 45]PSTEAF [45]
Louisiananot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchLDEQ UST Division, LAC 33:XI; a to-scale site diagram accompanies form UST-REG for all installations and renovations [46, 47]not verified in our researchnot verified in our research
Mainenot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchDEP Underground Storage Tank program, Chapter 691 and related rules [48]not verified in our researchnot verified in our research
Marylandnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchMDE, under EPA State Program Approval first given in 1992, with revisions approved September 11, 2025 [27, 49]not verified in our researchnot verified in our research
MassachusettsNo state license; an industrial sewer discharge permit, and an MWRA permit in its service area [50]not verified in our researchMassDEP UST program and 527 CMR (the fire code), with local fire permits; EPA State Program Approval (40 CFR Part 282) [51, 27]not verified in our researchnot verified in our research
Michigannot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchLARA Bureau of Fire Services, Storage Tank Division; NREPA Part 211 (1994 PA 451) [52]not verified in our researchnot verified in our research
MinnesotaMPCA MS4 fact sheet: vehicle wash water is a non-stormwater discharge [53]not verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our research
Mississippinot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchMDEQ Groundwater Assessment and Remediation: notice 30 days before installation, an MDEQ-certified installer, and the notification form within 30 days of bringing the system into use [54]not verified in our researchnot verified in our research
Missourinot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchDNR; RSMo 319.100 to 319.139 [55]not verified in our researchPetroleum Storage Tank Insurance Fund (PSTIF) or other mechanisms [55]
Montananot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchDEQ: a UST Act construction permit plus a programmatic environmental assessment for new fuel facilities (MCA 75-11-5; ARM 17.56) [56]not verified in our researchnot verified in our research
Nebraskanot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchState Fire Marshal; rule not verified in our research [57]Up to $60 per tank a year, plus $90 per tank for the fund [57]Petroleum Release Remedial Action Fund [57]
Nevadanot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our research
New Hampshirenot verified in our researchNFPA 30A, 2021 edition, as adopted (REM-41, 2025): emergency shutoff not less than 20 ft nor more than 100 ft from dispensers; portable extinguishers at 75 ft maximum travel [14]not verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our research
New Jerseynot verified in our researchN.J.A.C. 7:29: 65 dBA by day and 50 dBA at night at the residential receiver [58]; P.L. 2021, c.171 (effective Sept. 1, 2021): EVSE or make-ready spaces at new parking lots are a condition of preliminary site plan approval [59]not verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our research
New MexicoOffice of the State Engineer water-rights scrutiny, and often a 20.6.2 NMAC groundwater discharge permit [60, 61]not verified in our researchNMED Petroleum Storage Tank Bureau, 20.5.101 to 20.5.125 NMAC: written notice at least 30 days before installation, PSTB-certified installers, added scrutiny for tanks within 1,000 ft of a water supply well [62, 63]not verified in our researchnot verified in our research
New Yorknot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our research
North Carolinanot verified in our researchNorth Carolina Fire Code 2024 (IFC 2303.1): dispensers 10 ft or more from lot lines [13]DEQ Division of Waste Management, UST Section; 15A NCAC 02P for the fund [64]$420 per tank or compartment a year [4]Commercial Leaking Petroleum UST Cleanup Fund [65]
North DakotaWash water with detergents may not go to surface water or a storm drain inlet; it goes to sanitary sewer with municipal approval or to an approved system, and DEQ Municipal Facilities reviews any wastewater connection [66, 67]not verified in our researchDEQ UST Program: owners notify and register tanks [68]not verified in our researchPetroleum Tank Release Compensation Fund; registration before a spill is a precondition to up to $1 million in cleanup coverage [68]
Ohionot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchState Fire Marshal's BUSTR; PUSTRCB for the fund; rule not verified in our research [69, 70]$100 per tank a year to BUSTR [69]Petroleum UST Financial Assurance Fund, mandatory; program year 2026 fee $350 per tank with a $55,000 deductible or $550 per tank with an $11,000 deductible [70]
Oklahomanot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our research
Oregonnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our research
Pennsylvanianot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchDEP; 25 Pa. Code Ch. 245; DEP-certified installers (§245.110) with a $1,000 annual TIIP fee [71, 72]USTIF fee of $0.011 per gallon delivered [73]; USTIF capacity fee $0.0825 per gallon; a flat tank fee is authorized but not imposed [74]USTIF (25 Pa. Code Ch. 977): $1.5M per tank per occurrence [73, 75]
Rhode Islandnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchDEM; rules under RIGL 42-17.1, 46-12 and 46-13 [76]$100 per tank a year; $35 late fee (Rule 6.13) [76]not verified in our research
South Carolinanot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchDepartment of Environmental Services; S.C. Code 44-2 (SUPERB); R.61-98 [77, 78]not verified in our researchSUPERB Account and SUPERB Financial Responsibility Fund; $25,000 deductible [77, 78]
South DakotaDANR surface water discharge permitting [79]not verified in our researchDANR Storage Tank Program, ARSD 74:56:01; plans and specifications to DANR at least 30 days before installation or upgrade; EPA State Program Approval [80, 27]not verified in our researchnot verified in our research
Tennesseenot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchTDEC Division of Underground Storage Tanks; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-18-01 [81]not verified in our researchTennessee Petroleum UST Fund [81]
Texasnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchTCEQ Petroleum Storage Tank program; 30 TAC Ch. 334; installer or on-site supervisor license number on Form TCEQ-00724 [3, 82]$0 since September 1, 2007 [3]; $650 per tank facility plan fee in Edwards Aquifer zones [83]; contractor registration $232, on-site supervisor license $111 [84]Owner financial assurance under 30 TAC Ch. 37, Subchapter I [82]
Utahnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchDEQ Environmental Response and Remediation; rule not verified in our research [85]$110 per tank with the PST Fund, or $220 with another mechanism [85]PST Fund [85]
Vermontnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchDEC; Vermont UST Rules [86]not verified in our researchState Petroleum Cleanup Fund; $500,000 or $1M per occurrence by throughput [86]
Virginianot verified in our research13VAC5-52-280 (IFC Chapter 23 as adopted): dispensing at least 10 ft from adjoining buildable lot lines and 5 ft from building openings; dispensers within 10 ft of vehicle traffic on a 6 in concrete island or with Section 312 protection; smoking and open flames barred within 20 ft of dispensers [6]not verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our research
WashingtonEcology Pub. 95-056: wash pad at least 4 ft past the vehicle; grit traps inspected daily and cleaned at least weekly; API separators cleaned above 3 in of oil; coalescing plate separators cleaned when the gap is reduced 40 percent [87]not verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchnot verified in our research
West Virginianot verified in our researchnot verified in our researchWVDEP UST Section: notify and register within 30 days of acquisition and before fuel delivery; full EPA program approval since February 1988 [88, 89]Annual registration fees; amount not verified in our research [88, 89]not verified in our research
WisconsinDSPS plumbing plan review type: Car Wash Interceptor Only [90]not verified in our researchDATCP, ATCP 93: plan review and written approval under ATCP 93.100, with form TR-WM-126 and the groundwater fee under Wis. Stat. 168.23 [91, 92]not verified in our researchnot verified in our research
WyomingWater through the State Engineer's Office as a miscellaneous use with no preferred right; discharge approval from DEQ through WYPDES or a Chapter 3 Permit to Construct [93, 94]not verified in our researchDEQ Storage Tank Program, Solid and Hazardous Waste Chapter 17 and the Storage Tank Act of 2007; notice within 30 days of bringing a tank into use (W.S. 35-11-1419); no EPA State Program Approval [95]not verified in our researchnot verified in our research

City and county rules: stacking and separation

These are the adopted local rules the research read from primary texts. They are named examples of the local layer, not statewide values, and a city that is not listed has not been checked.

Car washes

JurisdictionStacking or queueSeparation, orientation and placementCode
Phoenix, AZParking at 2 spaces per 24 ft of wash bay; stacking count not verified in our research [96]In the C-2 district a car wash may be in an open building subject to a use permit [97]Zoning Ordinance §702 and §623 (item 41)
Los Angeles, CAnot verified in our researchNo openings facing a school or residential use within 100 ft; powered washes kept below the Table II levels of Sec. 111.03 [98]LAMC §12.22 A.28(a)(3) and (b)(13)
Pembroke Pines, FLAutomatic: 8 entrance and 3 exit; full-service: 18 entrance and 5 exit; self-serve: 3 entrance and 3 exit per bay; 1 parking space per vacuum [99]No tunnel entrance or exit facing adjacent residentially used or zoned property, except across a street [99]LDC §155.508
Ada County, IDSufficient capacity, shown on the master site plan [100]100 ft from residential districts; in Mixed-Use, only as an accessory to fuel sales with single-vehicle capacity [100]§8-13C-8-5
St. Charles, IL10 required at 9 x 20 ft in a single line [9]Permitted in BR; the drive-through component needs a Special Use under Sec. 17.04.330, with a public hearing, mailed notice and six findings of fact that must all be affirmative [9]Ch. 17.24.100, Table 17.24-3
Mayfield Heights, OH8 per vehicle entrance; self-serve 2 per stall [101]Lot at least 150 ft of frontage and 300 ft deep [101]§1171.09(e)
Tallmadge, OH10 per car wash lane at 8 x 20 ft [8]At least 500 ft from a residential use, public park or trail, school or place of worship; vacuums not along streets; no outdoor loudspeakers [8]Ord. 2023-82, Sec. 1104.07 E(8)
Cedar Hill, TX3 per automated bay plus 1 exit space; full-service 4 per vacuum or gas lane [102]not verified in our researchZoning Article 5
Corpus Christi, TX4 per automated stall, measured from the entrance to the wash bay; 3 for hand-operated washes; the TRC may require more [103]not verified in our researchUDC Table 7.2.6.A
Grand Prairie, TXMachine wash: two-thirds of the minimum as tandem spaces; self-serve: 2 tandem per bay [104]not verified in our researchUDC Article 10 (11.04.25 edition)
Houston, TXParking schedule: 2.5 spaces per automated bay or stall; 1.0 per bay for other washes [105]not verified in our researchSec. 26-492, Class 9
Tyler, TXAutomatic: 3 per service position plus 1 after; attendant: 10 per wash line plus 6; spaces 9 x 20 ft [7]Service points and stacking lanes 80 ft from residential districts and 30 ft from office and mixed use, with a "B" bufferyard [7]UDC Sec. 10-389
Ogden, UTOne bay: 4; two bays: 3 per bay; three or more bays: 2 per bay [106]Tunnel or bay openings oriented away from residential; no operation 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. in the C-1 zone [106]Code 15-38-4
St. George, UT5 before the pay point; no queuing on the right of way; double landscaping along the stacking [107]No vacuums on building sides facing residential; tunnel sides facing residential fully enclosed; water recycling systems installed and used in perpetuity [107]§10-17A-15

Gas stations and fuel sites

JurisdictionRuleCode
Phoenix, AZTractor-trailer stacking and loading docks at least 60 ft from residential zoning [97]Zoning Ordinance §623
Los Angeles, CAFueling stations in the C1.5 and C4 zones are conditional uses, and the site must abut a major or secondary highway [108]LAMC §12.24 W.2
Petaluma, CAOrdinances adopted Mar 1, 2021 prohibit new gas stations and new pumps; existing stations may add EV chargers [109, 110]City ordinances
Rome, GA600 ft from schools, day cares and churches (reducible to 300 ft in planned centers); 1,000 ft from other convenience gas stations; 300 ft from single-family zoning [11]Convenience Store and Gas Station Development Standards
Montgomery County, MDLarge stations (over 3.6M gallons a year) 300 ft from listed sensitive lots [111]ZTA 12-07 (2012)
Prince George's County, MDSpecial exception: nearest pump 300 ft from any lot with a school, outdoor playground, library, hospital or residence; 150 ft of frontage on a 70 ft right-of-way [10]Zoning Sec. 27-358(a)
Warren, MIMoratorium of up to 8 months on new gas stations and car washes, approved May 19, 2026; complete prior applications exempt; pumps may still be added to an existing station with site plan approval [112]City moratorium notice
Seattle, WATanks and dispensers 20 ft from the public way and any lot line [113]Seattle Fire Code 2021, Chapter 23, local amendment

Reading the tables

Read across the rows that carry values and five patterns stand out.

Water is the state's main car wash rule, and the sewer utility writes the rest. Of the state rules on record, California's is the only statewide reclaim statute [1, 2]. Georgia's coverage is regional instead: Hapeville's adopting ordinance requires new conveyor washes to "install, utilize, and maintain a water recycling system which recycles and reuses at least fifty (50) percent of wash and rinse water," and recites the water district's mandate [12]. Florida's DEP sends spent process water from a closed-loop system to a permitted facility, and Washington's Ecology manual has grit traps inspected daily and cleaned at least weekly [29, 87]. Industry research from the International Carwash Association reports that "Greater than 99 percent of professional car washes discharge effluent to a sanitary sewer," so the local sewer use ordinance is what sizes the devices [114]. Fulton County, GA requires "manufacturer product sheets and sand trap sizing" for washes with reclaim systems, and Aubrey, TX requires grit interceptors and oil-water separators to be installed and inspected before the certificate of occupancy, pumped every 90 days by default and fully evacuated at least every 180 days [115, 116].

Tank programs differ more in their funds than in their fees. Under 40 CFR Part 282 an approved state program operates "in lieu of" the federal one, and EPA reports that "As of September 2021, 39 states plus the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico have approved programs" [27, 5]. For the federal financial responsibility floor in 40 CFR 280 Subpart H, Missouri DNR gives "typically $1 million per occurrence and $1 million annual aggregate," with $500,000 for non-marketers under 10,000 gallons a month and $2 million aggregate for owners of more than 100 USTs [55]. Above that floor the state funds diverge: Ohio's fund offers a $55,000 or an $11,000 deductible, Georgia's optional GUST fund carries a $10,000 deductible, South Carolina's SUPERB fund a $25,000 deductible, and Alabama's trust fund leaves the owner $5,000 per occurrence [70, 33, 77, 78, 15]. The District of Columbia, outside the 50 rows, bills $130, $390 or $650 per tank by capacity, charges $200 per tank for installation review, and sets a separate $200 first-time fee for contractor registration [117].

Fire code distances repeat from state to state; location rules do not. IFC 2303.1 as adopted in Virginia and North Carolina keeps dispensers at least 10 ft from adjoining buildable lot lines, and Virginia's adopted text also sets 5 ft from building openings and a 6 in concrete island or Section 312 protection for dispensers within 10 ft of vehicle traffic [6, 13]. New Hampshire's adoption of NFPA 30A, 2021 edition, places the emergency shutoff not less than 20 ft nor more than 100 ft from dispensers [14], and Seattle's local amendment moves tanks and dispensers 20 ft from the public way and any lot line [113]. Location rules spread much wider: the nearest pump 300 ft from a school or residence lot in Prince George's County, MD, 600 ft from schools, day cares and churches in Rome, GA, frontage on a major or secondary highway for a Los Angeles station, and a citywide ban on new stations and pumps in Petaluma, CA [10, 11, 108, 109].

Car wash stacking is counted three ways. Per position or bay: Tyler, TX requires 3 per automatic service position plus 1 after, Cedar Hill, TX 3 per automated bay plus 1 exit space, and Ogden, UT 4 for a one-bay wash, falling to 2 per bay at three or more bays [7, 102, 106]. Per entrance: Mayfield Heights, OH requires 8 per vehicle entrance [101]. Per lane: Tallmadge, OH requires 10 per car wash lane at 8 x 20 ft, and St. Charles, IL 10 at 9 x 20 ft [8, 9]. The wording sets the queue: 10 spaces at 20 ft is 200 ft of lane, and a code written per lane doubles the requirement when a second pay lane is added, where a code written per entrance does not [8, 9, 101].

Moratoria are the third layer. Warren, MI approved a moratorium of up to 8 months on car washes and gas stations on May 19, 2026 that freezes "new site plan applications, special land use applications, or other zoning approvals," with complete prior applications exempt [112]. Avon, OH's Ord. 65-24 (May 28, 2024) paused new car washes and self-storage for six months, and Ord. 46-25 extended it to Dec 23, 2025 [118]. News reports record a Birmingham, AL moratorium on automated washes adopted Mar 5, 2024 and extended in January and June 2025, and a Perrysburg, OH moratorium from January 2023 whose extension was defeated 5 to 1 on Dec 19, 2024 [119, 120, 121].

Where to go from here

A preliminary site plan puts the tunnel, the queue, the canopy and the tank field on the parcel against these rules; the engineer of record designs the reclaim system, the separators and the tank piping, and seals what the jurisdiction requires.

For the layouts these rules feed, start at the car wash site plan hub for the tunnel, stacking, vacuum field, reclaim and noise, and the gas station site plan hub for fire code distances, canopy lighting, access and the state tank programs in more depth. Diesel lanes and truck parking are on the truck stop site plan hub, and the service itself is on preliminary site plans.

Car wash and fuel pages by state:

Model projects that show one jurisdiction's rules shaping a plan:

State site plan pages for states with verified rows include:

Metro pages for the places named on this page: Atlanta, Houston, Phoenix, Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, Seattle and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Related reading: the sibling data page RV park regulations by state, and the studio's posts on gas station site plan standards, tanks, traffic and regulations and water conservation in car wash design.

Frequently asked questions

Does California require car washes to recycle water?

Yes, by statute. Water Code §§10950 to 10953 (AB 2230) require in-bay and conveyor washes permitted and constructed after Jan 1, 2014 to recycle and reuse a minimum share of their wash and rinse water or to use a supplier's recycled water, exclude self-service wand washes, and let cities and counties require more stringent levels [1, 2]. The percentage stays out of the table until the statute text is reopened, because the sources reviewed state it differently.

What reclaim percentage do Georgia cities require?

In metro Atlanta, the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District has mandated that its member jurisdictions adopt a model ordinance requiring recycling systems at new conveyor washes, and Hapeville's adopting ordinance sets at least 50 percent of wash and rinse water (Code §69-2-20) [12]. Georgia EPD Rule 391-3-31 recommends the same 50 percent minimum for conveyor washes [12].

How many stacking spaces does a car wash need?

Each city sets its own count, in different units: 3 per service position plus 1 after in Tyler, TX; 3 per automated bay plus 1 exit space in Cedar Hill, TX; 4 per automated stall in Corpus Christi, TX; 8 per vehicle entrance in Mayfield Heights, OH; 8 at the entrance and 3 at the exit of an automatic wash in Pembroke Pines, FL; and 10 per lane in Tallmadge, OH and St. Charles, IL [7, 102, 103, 101, 99, 8, 9]. Houston's parking schedule counts 2.5 spaces per automated bay or stall [105].

How far must a car wash be from homes?

Tallmadge, OH sets the longest distance among the codes read here: 500 ft from a residential use, park, school or place of worship [8]. Ada County, ID keeps a car wash 100 ft from residential districts, Los Angeles bars openings that face a school or home within 100 ft, and Tyler, TX holds service points and stacking lanes 80 ft from residential districts [100, 98, 7]. Pembroke Pines, FL and Ogden, UT regulate which way the tunnel openings face instead [99, 106].

How far must a gas station be from a school?

Local codes set it. In Prince George's County, MD a gas station is a special exception, and the nearest pump must sit 300 ft from any lot holding a school, outdoor playground, library, hospital or residence (Sec. 27-358) [10]. Rome, GA asks for 600 ft from schools, day cares and churches, cut to 300 ft inside planned centers [11], and Montgomery County, MD applies 300 ft to large stations selling over 3.6M gallons a year (ZTA 12-07) [111].

What does UST registration cost?

The annual per-tank fees found run from $0 in Texas through $25 for a Florida renewal, $30 in Kentucky, $35 in Colorado and $100 in Ohio and Rhode Island, to $420 in North Carolina [3, 30, 31, 44, 26, 69, 76, 4]. Georgia's GUST fund charges an Environmental Assurance Fee of $0.0075 per gallon instead [33]. Michigan's and Tennessee's fees are left out because the sources disagree.

How far must a fuel dispenser be from the property line?

Virginia's adopted IFC (13VAC5-52-280) and the North Carolina Fire Code 2024 both put dispensers 10 ft or more from adjoining buildable lot lines, and Virginia's text keeps dispensing 5 ft from building openings [6, 13]. Seattle goes further by local amendment: tanks and dispensers 20 ft from the public way and any lot line [113].

Why do many cells read "not verified in our research"?

For those cells the research did not reach a primary text, found the agency only in a secondary list, or found readings of the figure that disagree, so no value is shown. The phrase marks a gap in the research, not an absence of rules: a plan in those states starts from the state environmental or fire agency's own rule and the city or county code for the parcel.

Sources

  1. 1)California Water Code §§10950 to 10953, Recycled Water Usage by Car Washes (California Legislature), statute text mirror, Legalfina (secondary mirror of the California Legislature's code). Accessed 2026-10-09.
  2. 2)AB 2230 Senate Committee Analysis (June 22, 2012), California Legislature. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  3. 3)Petroleum Storage Tanks Registrations: Am I Regulated?, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  4. 4)NC DEQ Permit Directory: Underground Storage Tank operating permit, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  5. 5)List of States With Approved UST Programs and Respective Federal Register Notices, US Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  6. 6)13VAC5-52-280, IFC Chapter 23 Motor Fuel-Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages, Virginia Administrative Code (Virginia Law Library). Accessed 2026-10-09.
  7. 7)Tyler Unified Development Code Sec. 10-389, Drive-Through Stacking Requirements, City of Tyler, Texas (American Legal Publishing). Accessed 2026-10-10.
  8. 8)Ordinance 2023-82, Exhibit A (car wash standards), City of Tallmadge, Ohio. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  9. 9)Staff Report, Plan Commission Meeting, Club Car Wash (May 5, 2026), City of St. Charles, Illinois. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  10. 10)Prince George's County Code Sec. 27-358, Gas station, Prince George's County, Maryland (Municode). Accessed 2026-10-10.
  11. 11)Convenience Store and Gas Station Development Standards, City of Rome, Georgia. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  12. 12)State of Georgia, City of Hapeville Ordinance (car wash water recycling, Code §69-2-20), City of Hapeville, Georgia. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  13. 13)Chapter 23, Motor Fuel-Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages: North Carolina Fire Code 2024, UpCodes (secondary copy of the North Carolina Fire Code). Accessed 2026-10-10.
  14. 14)REM-41 (2025): Additional Operating Requirements for Unattended Self-Service Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  15. 15)Alabama Underground and Aboveground Storage Tank Trust Fund guidance (February 2024), Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  16. 16)18 AAC 72 (wastewater), 18 AAC 80 (drinking water) and 18 AAC 31 (Alaska Food Code), Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Accessed 2026-09-01.
  17. 17)APDES Construction General Permit AKR100000 (2026 CGP) and 18 AAC 83, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Accessed 2026-09-01.
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  32. 32)Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Subject 391-3-15, Underground Storage Tank Management, Georgia Secretary of State. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  33. 33)What is the GUST Trust Fund?, Georgia Environmental Protection Division. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  34. 34)UST Facility Owners, Georgia Environmental Protection Division. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  35. 35)UST New Owner Registration and GUST Trust Fund, Georgia Environmental Protection Division. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  36. 36)NPDES construction stormwater general permit coverage (Clean Water Branch e-Permitting); NOI Form D, treated groundwater from leaking UST remediation, Hawaii Department of Health, Clean Water Branch. Accessed 2026-09-01.
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  38. 38)Pretreatment and Cost Recovery, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Accessed 2026-08-30.
  39. 39)Underground Storage Tank rules, 41 Ill. Adm. Code 176, Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal. Accessed 2026-08-30.
  40. 40)Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed 2026-08-30.
  41. 41)Financial Responsibility, Storage Tanks, Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  42. 42)Underground Storage Tank FAQ (updated May 2025), Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  43. 43)UST Section Registration Form, DNR Form 542-3266, Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  44. 44)401 KAR 42:020, UST system requirements, notification, registration, and annual fees, Kentucky Administrative Regulations (via Cornell LII). Accessed 2026-10-09.
  45. 45)Underground Storage Tank Branch, Administrative Services Section, Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  46. 46)Underground Storage Tank Division, LAC 33:XI, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. Accessed 2026-08-31.
  47. 47)Louisiana: Final Approval of State Underground Storage Tank Program Revisions, Federal Register (EPA). Accessed 2026-08-31.
  48. 48)Underground Storage Tank rules, Chapter 691, Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Accessed 2026-08-31.
  49. 49)Maryland: Final Approval of State Underground Storage Tank Program Revisions, Codification, and Incorporation by Reference, Federal Register (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Accessed 2026-10-09.
  50. 50)Industrial discharge permits in the MWRA service area, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. Accessed 2026-08-31.
  51. 51)527 CMR (fire code: fuel storage and dispensing) and the Underground Storage Tank program, Department of Fire Services; Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Accessed 2026-08-31.
  52. 52)Underground Storage Tank Permits & Licenses, State of Michigan, LARA Bureau of Fire Services. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  53. 53)MS4 fact sheet, Vehicle Washing, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  54. 54)UST installations, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. Accessed 2026-08-31.
  55. 55)Underground Storage Tank Financial Responsibility, Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  56. 56)New UST facility permit application, Montana Department of Environmental Quality. Accessed 2026-09-01.
  57. 57)Underground Storage Tanks, Nebraska State Fire Marshal. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  58. 58)Sound report to the Cranford project manager (August 4, 2025), Township of Cranford, New Jersey. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  59. 59)EVSE requirements for new multi-unit dwelling construction (MUD toolkit), New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  60. 60)Water rights and well permits (ose.nm.gov), New Mexico Office of the State Engineer. Accessed 2026-09-01.
  61. 61)Ground Water Quality Bureau, discharge permits under 20.6.2 NMAC (env.nm.gov/gwqb), New Mexico Environment Department. Accessed 2026-09-01.
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  63. 63)New Mexico underground storage tank program (federalregister.gov), Federal Register. Accessed 2026-09-01.
  64. 64)15A NCAC 02P, Section .0100, North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  65. 65)Annual Report to the North Carolina General Assembly (Commercial Leaking Petroleum UST Fund), North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  66. 66)NDPDES construction stormwater general permit (NDR10/NDR11), North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.
  67. 67)Plans and specifications review, Division of Municipal Facilities, North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. Accessed 2026-09-01.
  68. 68)Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Fund, North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. Accessed 2026-09-01.
  69. 69)Tips From Frank the Tank: What Does Ohio Law Say About Owning/Operating USTs, Ohio Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Release Compensation Board. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  70. 70)Financial assurance fund coverage, Ohio Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Release Compensation Board. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  71. 71)25 Pa. Code Chapter 245, Administration of the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Program, Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  72. 72)2024 USTIB Fee Evaluation, Pennsylvania Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  73. 73)25 Pa. Code Chapter 977, Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund, Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  74. 74)Owner and Operator Fees, Pennsylvania Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  75. 75)Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Program, Pennsylvania Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  76. 76)DEM Underground Storage Tank Registration, State of Rhode Island. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  77. 77)South Carolina Department of Environmental Services document (2019.pdf), South Carolina Department of Environmental Services. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  78. 78)Fiscal impact statement, H.5172 as introduced (February 11, 2026), describing the current SUPERB program, South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  79. 79)Construction stormwater permit (SDR100000), South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Accessed 2026-09-01.
  80. 80)Storage tanks: plans and specifications (ARSD 74:56:01, 74:56:03), South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Accessed 2026-09-01.
  81. 81)Notification and Fees (underground storage tanks), Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  82. 82)TCEQ-00724, Underground Storage Tank Registration and Self-Certification, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  83. 83)Underground Storage Tank Facility Plan (Edwards Aquifer), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  84. 84)Underground storage tank contractor and on-site supervisor licenses, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  85. 85)Utah UST Certificate of Compliance, Utah Department of Environmental Quality. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  86. 86)UST Newsletter (December 20, 2024), Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  87. 87)Vehicle and Equipment Washwater Discharges Best Management Practices Manual (Pub. 95-056), Washington State Department of Ecology. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  88. 88)Underground Storage Tanks, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP). Accessed 2026-08-31.
  89. 89)WV UST Notification Form, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP). Accessed 2026-08-31.
  90. 90)Plan Review program page, Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Accessed 2026-08-30.
  91. 91)Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 93.100, plan review, Wisconsin Legislature. Accessed 2026-08-30.
  92. 92)Form TR-WM-126, tank system plan review application, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Accessed 2026-08-30.
  93. 93)Application for Permit to Appropriate Ground Water (Form U.W. 5) and permit fees, Wyoming State Engineer's Office.
  94. 94)Water Quality Rules Chapter 3 (permits to construct) and Chapter 25 (small wastewater systems), Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
  95. 95)Storage Tank Program (Solid and Hazardous Waste Rules Chapter 17; W.S. 35-11-1419), Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Solid and Hazardous Waste Division.
  96. 96)Phoenix Zoning Ordinance Section 702, Off-Street Parking and Loading, City of Phoenix, Arizona. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  97. 97)Phoenix Zoning Ordinance Section 623, Commercial C-2 District, Intermediate Commercial, City of Phoenix, Arizona. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  98. 98)Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 12.22, Exceptions, City of Los Angeles (American Legal Publishing). Accessed 2026-10-09.
  99. 99)Pembroke Pines Land Development Code § 155.508, Car Washes, City of Pembroke Pines, Florida (American Legal Publishing). Accessed 2026-10-09.
  100. 100)Ada County Code § 8-13C-8-5, Car Wash, Ada County, Idaho (American Legal Publishing). Accessed 2026-10-09.
  101. 101)Mayfield Heights Codified Ordinances § 1171.09, Car Washes, City of Mayfield Heights, Ohio (American Legal Publishing). Accessed 2026-10-09.
  102. 102)Cedar Hill Zoning Ordinance, Article 5, Development Standards, City of Cedar Hill, Texas (Municode). Accessed 2026-10-10.
  103. 103)Corpus Christi Unified Development Code (Table 7.2.6.A), City of Corpus Christi, Texas (enCodePlus). Accessed 2026-10-10.
  104. 104)Unified Development Code, Article 10 (11.04.25 edition), City of Grand Prairie, Texas. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  105. 105)Houston Code Sec. 26-492, Parking spaces for certain types of use classifications, City of Houston, Texas. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  106. 106)Ogden City Code 15-38-4, Special Regulations, Ogden City, Utah (American Legal Publishing). Accessed 2026-10-10.
  107. 107)St. George City Code § 10-17A-15, Car Wash, City of St. George, Utah. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  108. 108)Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 12.24, Conditional Use Permits and Other Similar Quasi-Judicial Approvals, City of Los Angeles (American Legal Publishing). Accessed 2026-10-09.
  109. 109)RCPA Board Item 4.6, Local Gas Station Land Use Prohibition (July 2021), Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  110. 110)Petaluma becomes first city in the U.S. to ban new gas stations, KTVU (secondary). Accessed 2026-10-09.
  111. 111)PHED Committee memorandum, July 5, 2012 (ZTA 12-07), Montgomery County Council, Maryland. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  112. 112)Moratorium on Car Washes and Gasoline Stations (notice), City of Warren, Michigan. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  113. 113)Seattle Fire Code 2021, Chapter 23, Motor Fuel-Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages, City of Seattle. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  114. 114)Water Effluent and Solid Waste Characteristics in the Professional Car Wash Industry, International Carwash Association. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  115. 115)Checklist/Guidelines for Commercial Pretreatment Plans Submittal (rev. 03-06-2023), Fulton County, Georgia, Public Works. Accessed 2026-10-09.
  116. 116)City of Aubrey, TX: Grease Traps/Interceptors, Grit Interceptors and Oil/Water Separators (Art. 13.06), City of Aubrey, Texas (eCode360). Accessed 2026-10-09.
  117. 117)DC Underground Storage Tank Program Fine and Fee Structure, District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment. Accessed 2026-10-10.
  118. 118)Ordinance No. 46-25, Extending the Temporary Moratorium (car washes and storage), City of Avon, Ohio. Accessed 2026-10-09.
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How these sources were chosen and when the page is reviewed: how we research.

By Viola Sauer, Principal, Innowave Studio

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