Michigan EGLE Form EQP 4400 is the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Registration / Notification Form that every owner of a regulated underground tank in Michigan must file with the Storage Tank Section of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The form tells the state what is buried on your property, who owns it, what it holds, and how it is protected from leaking into Michigan soil and groundwater.
If you skip it, file it late, or fill it out wrong, EGLE can flag your facility as out of compliance under Part 211 of NREPA, Act 451 of 1994, block you from receiving fuel deliveries, and assess civil fines of up to $10,000 per tank per day of violation. Michigan currently tracks more than 17,000 active regulated USTs across roughly 7,200 facilities in the Storage Tank Information Database (STID), and EGLE rejects or returns an estimated 1 in 5 paper notification forms each year for missing fields, wrong substance codes, or unsigned certification blocks.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 What EQP 4400 is, who must file it, and the exact 30-day clock that starts ticking the moment you install, buy, sell, or close a tank
- 🛢️ How to fill out every box on the form line by line, from facility ID to financial responsibility, in plain English
- 🧾 Three full walkthroughs using real Michigan scenarios so you can see what a finished form looks like before you start your own
- 💰 The current $100 per tank annual regulatory fee, the penalty structure under Part 211, and how to avoid the most expensive mistakes
- ✅ A pre-filing checklist, a do’s and don’ts list, and 12 FAQs that answer the field-level questions Michigan filers ask most
What Form EQP 4400 Is and Who Must File It
Form EQP 4400 is Michigan’s official Underground Storage Tank Registration / Notification Form, used to add a new tank to the state inventory, update information about an existing tank, change ownership, or report permanent closure. It is the Michigan analog to the federal Notification for Underground Storage Tanks required by 40 CFR Part 280, Subpart B, and the data feeds directly into the Michigan Storage Tank Information Database that fuel suppliers, lenders, and inspectors check before they touch your site. EGLE reviews the form, assigns or confirms your Facility ID and Tank ID numbers, and uses your answers to schedule inspections, calculate annual fees, and verify financial responsibility.
You must file EQP 4400 if you own a UST system that stores a regulated substance — petroleum (gasoline, diesel, kerosene, used oil, biofuel blends) or any CERCLA hazardous substance — and the tank holds more than 110 gallons below ground. The duty to file falls on the owner of the tank, not the property owner or the operator, although in practice the same person often wears all three hats at a small gas station. Lessees who own only the tank equipment must still file, even if the land belongs to someone else.
Michigan also requires the form when you change the regulated substance stored (for example, switching a tank from diesel to E85), change the ownership of the tank or the facility, or permanently close the tank by removal or in-place closure under R 29.2161 of the Michigan UST Rules. Tanks excluded from registration include farm and residential motor fuel tanks of 1,100 gallons or less used for non-commercial purposes, heating oil tanks used on the premises where stored, septic tanks, and flow-through process tanks, all listed in Part 211 Section 21103. When in doubt, file — EGLE would rather have an unnecessary form than miss a regulated tank.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Pulling together your paperwork before you open the form saves rework, because EQP 4400 cross-references documents you may not have memorized. The form’s certification block is signed under penalty of perjury, so every entry needs to match a source document, not your best guess. Gather everything below in one folder before you begin.
- Facility ID number from any prior EGLE correspondence — required if the site is already in STID, and missing it forces EGLE to manually search the database, adding 2–3 weeks to processing.
- Tank ID numbers for each tank at the facility, printed on prior registration certificates and on the annual UST fee invoice.
- Property legal description and parcel ID from the county register of deeds, used to confirm the site location when the street address is ambiguous.
- Tank installation records, including manufacturer, model number, capacity in gallons, date of installation, and the installer’s certification under Michigan’s storage tank licensing program.
- Substance stored with the correct code from the EQP 4400 instructions — petroleum codes differ from hazardous substance CAS numbers, and mixing them is the single most common error.
- Spill, overfill, and corrosion protection method for each tank and each line of piping, supported by manufacturer cut sheets.
- Financial responsibility mechanism, usually a certificate of insurance from a carrier rated by the Michigan Underground Storage Tank Authority (MUSTA) or proof of participation in the Michigan Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund.
- Operator training certificates for your Class A, Class B, and Class C operators, required under R 29.2160 — without them, your registration is treated as incomplete.
- Most recent tank tightness test or automatic tank gauging report, plus the line leak detector test results for pressurized piping.
- Closure assessment report if you are filing to permanently close a tank, prepared by a Michigan-licensed professional engineer or geologist.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The current version of EQP 4400 lives on the EGLE forms page and is downloadable as a fillable PDF from the EGLE Storage Tanks Forms Library. Always pull a fresh copy each time you file, because EGLE updates the form when statutes or rules change, and the agency will reject a superseded version even if every field is filled correctly. Check the revision date printed in the lower-left corner of page 1 against the date on the website before you start typing.
You can also request a paper copy by calling the Storage Tank Section at 517-284-5000 or by emailing egle-storagetanks@michigan.gov. Paper copies arrive in 5–10 business days and come with the current instruction packet, which includes the substance code list, the financial responsibility mechanism table, and the mailing address. If you work with a Michigan-licensed installer, they usually keep blank copies on hand and can pre-fill the technical sections.
For online filing, EGLE has rolled out the MiEHDWIS Storage Tank Module for owners to submit notifications, pay fees, and update facility data without printing anything. You will need a Michigan ID account, and the system walks you through the same fields as EQP 4400 but with built-in validation that catches the most common errors before submission. The online module is the fastest channel — most filings post to STID within 3–5 business days, compared to 4–6 weeks for mailed paper.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out EQP 4400 Line by Line
The form runs roughly 6 pages depending on how many tanks you have, and EGLE expects every applicable box to be completed. Skipping a box because it “doesn’t apply” is not the same as marking it N/A or None — blanks trigger automatic returns. Walk through it in the order printed below.
Section I, Box 1: Type of Notification
This box asks why you are filing the form — first-time registration, amended notification, change in ownership, or permanent closure. Check exactly one box that matches your reason for filing today. Carlos Rivera, opening a new station in Grand Rapids, checks New Installation; Janine Park, buying an existing station, checks Change of Ownership.
A common edge case is filing simultaneously for a new tank and a closure of an old tank at the same site — in that case file two separate EQP 4400 forms, one for each event, because EGLE’s intake clerks log each notification under a different STID action code. The most common mistake is checking Amended when the real event is a change in ownership; EGLE will accept the form but will not transfer liability to the new owner, leaving the seller on the hook for fees and inspections. The misconception is that an amended notification covers any update — it does not, and ownership changes specifically need their own checkbox under R 29.2105.
Section I, Box 2: Facility ID Number
This field asks for the 6-digit STID Facility ID already assigned to the site, if any. Enter the number exactly as it appears on prior EGLE correspondence, with no dashes and no leading letters. Janine Park enters 0012345 because that is what is printed on the seller’s most recent annual fee invoice.
If the facility is brand new, leave this box blank and write NEW in the margin so the data-entry clerk knows to assign a number rather than search for one. The most frequent mistake is guessing the Facility ID from a partial memory or copying the Tank ID by accident — wrong numbers cause your filing to be posted under another owner’s site, which can take months to unwind. The misconception is that the Facility ID is the same as the address-based location code used by the fire marshal; it is not, and only the EGLE-issued number belongs in Box 2.
Section I, Box 3: Facility Name and Street Address
This field captures the doing-business-as name and physical address of the site where the tanks sit. Use the legal trade name, the full street number, the road name, the city, the ZIP+4, and the county — no P.O. boxes are accepted because EGLE inspectors must be able to drive to the site. Marcus Wood writes Wood’s Corner Mart, 4421 W Saginaw Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917, Eaton County.
A nuance is rural sites with only a fire-number address: enter the fire number plus the nearest cross-road in the address line, and attach a small site map showing the driveway entrance. The most common mistake is using the corporate headquarters address instead of the tank location; EGLE will mail your inspection notices to HQ and the inspector will arrive at an empty office, which counts as a missed inspection under R 29.2167. The misconception is that a P.O. box is acceptable for a small rural facility — it is not, even when no other mail reaches the site.
Section I, Box 4: Owner Name and Mailing Address
This field asks for the legal name of the tank owner and the address where EGLE should send notices, invoices, and inspection reports. Use the exact entity name on file with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Wood’s Corner Mart, LLC, not Wood’s Corner Mart Inc. if the LLC is the registered entity. The mailing address can be a P.O. box because this is for correspondence, not inspections.
A nuance shows up with husband-and-wife sole proprietorships: list both names and indicate the form of ownership, because Michigan treats the spouses as joint owners for liability purposes under Part 213. The most common mistake is using a trade name instead of the legal entity, which causes the financial responsibility certificate to mismatch the registration and triggers a compliance hold. The misconception is that the owner is whoever signs the lease — the owner is whoever holds title to the tank equipment, regardless of who leases the land.
Section I, Box 5: Owner Type
This field asks you to check whether the owner is a current owner, previous owner, federal government, state government, local government, commercial, or private entity. Most filers check Commercial. Aisha Bennett, who runs her station as a sole proprietor, checks Commercial and writes Sole Proprietor on the line.
A nuance is tribal land — tanks on a reservation may fall under EPA Region 5 jurisdiction rather than EGLE, and you should call the EPA Region 5 UST Program before filing. The common mistake is checking Private when you mean Commercial; Private on this form is reserved for non-commercial residential heating oil and farm tanks, not small businesses. The misconception is that LLC owners check Private because the LLC is privately held — the correct box is Commercial.
Section II, Box 6: Number of Tanks at This Facility
This field asks for the total count of regulated USTs at the address, including the ones being added, closed, or modified by this filing. Write the number as a numeral, not spelled out — 4, not four. Carlos Rivera writes 3 because his new station has three tanks, even though he is registering all three on this single form.
A nuance is split compartments: a single-shell tank with two compartments counts as two tanks for registration purposes under EGLE policy, even though it shares one excavation. The common mistake is reporting only the new tanks instead of the total at the site, which makes EGLE’s tank count for your facility wrong forever after. The misconception is that out-of-service tanks do not count — they do, until you formally close them with a separate EQP 4400.
Section III: Tank-Specific Information (Repeat for Each Tank)
This is the largest section of the form and the one where most errors occur, because each tank gets its own block of fields covering capacity, substance, material, internal lining, external corrosion protection, piping, leak detection, spill protection, overfill protection, and installation date. Fill out one complete block per tank, in numerical order. Marcus Wood’s Tank 001 is a 10,000-gallon double-wall fiberglass tank holding regular unleaded gasoline (substance code 1), installed 06/15/2018, with continuous interstitial monitoring as the leak detection method.
A nuance is that tanks installed before December 22, 1988 follow a different protection-method coding than tanks installed afterward, because the federal upgrade requirements phased in over time. The most common mistake is mixing up substance code 1 (gasoline) with substance code 2 (diesel) — a wrong code can cause your insurance carrier to deny coverage because the policy lists the wrong fuel. The misconception is that “double-wall” alone is enough to satisfy corrosion protection — it is not, unless paired with cathodic protection or a non-corrodible material like fiberglass.
Section III, Box 7: Tank Capacity in Gallons
This field asks for the nominal manufacturer-rated capacity of the tank in gallons, not the working capacity, not the volume currently filled. Use a whole number with no commas — 10000, not 10,000. Janine Park enters 8000 for the old diesel tank she just bought.
A nuance is double-compartment tanks: enter each compartment’s capacity on its own tank line, and total them in Box 6 only as the count of compartments. The common mistake is rounding capacity up or down to a “nice” number when the manufacturer plate says something else; EGLE matches capacity against insurance and fee records, and rounding triggers a compliance flag. The misconception is that capacity matches what you can deliver in a single drop — it does not, because working capacity is typically 90–95% of nominal capacity.
Section III, Box 8: Substance Currently Stored
This field asks you to enter the EGLE substance code from the instruction packet’s substance table for whatever the tank holds today. Codes 1 through 9 cover petroleum products; CERCLA hazardous substances use a separate alphanumeric code. Aisha Bennett enters 1 for regular unleaded gasoline and 2 for ultra-low sulfur diesel.
A nuance is biofuel blends: E10 is still coded as 1 (gasoline), but E85 has its own code, and switching from E10 to E85 is a substance change requiring a new EQP 4400. The common mistake is leaving this box blank for an empty tank — write Empty with the date the tank was last emptied, because a blank looks like an oversight. The misconception is that “diesel” is one code; #1 diesel, #2 diesel, and dyed off-road diesel each have their own treatment for fee and insurance purposes.
Section III, Box 9: Tank Material of Construction
This field asks for the primary material of the tank shell — steel, fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP), steel-clad with FRP, or other. Check exactly one box per tank. Carlos Rivera checks FRP because his new tanks are double-wall fiberglass.
A nuance is composite tanks (steel inner with FRP jacket): check the Composite box and write the manufacturer in the margin, because EGLE tracks these separately for corrosion-protection compliance. The common mistake is checking Steel without specifying whether it is bare steel, clad, or jacketed — bare steel installed after 1988 is prohibited without external cathodic protection. The misconception is that all “fiberglass” tanks are the same — only listed and labeled FRP tanks meet the UL 1316 standard EGLE recognizes.
Section III, Box 10: Internal Lining and External Corrosion Protection
This field asks how each tank is protected from corroding from the inside and the outside. Check all that apply: internal lining, cathodic protection (galvanic or impressed current), non-corrodible material, or composite. Marcus Wood checks Non-corrodible (FRP) because his tank is fiberglass and needs no cathodic protection.
A nuance is impressed-current systems: you must also list the rectifier serial number and the date of the most recent 60-day inspection log, because EGLE inspectors will ask. The common mistake is leaving this blank for an FRP tank under the assumption that fiberglass needs no protection field — leave nothing blank; check Non-corrodible. The misconception is that internal lining alone meets corrosion protection — it does not for a steel tank in contact with soil; you also need cathodic protection.
Section III, Box 11: Piping Type and Protection
This field asks about the product piping that connects the tank to the dispenser — its material (steel, flexible plastic, FRP), whether it is pressurized or suction, and how it is protected against corrosion and leaks. Janine Park checks Flexible plastic, pressurized, with line leak detector and continuous interstitial monitoring.
A nuance is safe-suction piping (also called “European suction” or “single check valve at pump”): it is exempt from line leak detection if it slopes back to the tank and has only one check valve directly under the pump, but you must check that exemption box. The common mistake is failing to list the line leak detector type for pressurized piping, which is one of the most-cited violations in EGLE inspection reports. The misconception is that double-wall piping alone is sufficient — it must be paired with continuous interstitial monitoring or another approved method.
Section III, Box 12: Leak Detection Method
This field asks how each tank is monitored for leaks — automatic tank gauging (ATG), continuous interstitial monitoring, statistical inventory reconciliation (SIR), groundwater monitoring, or vapor monitoring. Check exactly one primary method per tank. Carlos Rivera checks Continuous interstitial monitoring because his double-wall FRP tanks have factory-installed sensors.
A nuance is that ATG must be a 0.2 gallon-per-hour passing test to qualify; older 0.1-gph systems are obsolete and EGLE no longer recognizes them. The common mistake is selecting two methods without designating one as primary, which forces EGLE to call you for clarification. The misconception is that manual inventory control still satisfies leak detection — it does not for tanks installed or upgraded after 1998 under R 29.2147.
Section III, Box 13: Spill and Overfill Prevention
This field asks for the spill bucket type and the overfill prevention device for each tank. Spill buckets are typically 5-gallon or 15-gallon catchments at the fill port; overfill prevention is one of three approved methods — automatic shutoff (flapper valve), overfill alarm, or ball float valve (only for tanks installed before 2005). Aisha Bennett checks 15-gallon double-wall spill bucket and Automatic shutoff at 95% capacity.
A nuance is that ball float valves are no longer allowed for new installations or replacements as of the 2018 federal rule update reflected in 40 CFR 280.20; existing ball-float installations may continue but cannot be reinstalled. The common mistake is checking both automatic shutoff and overfill alarm without explaining which is primary; pick the one wired to actually stop product flow. The misconception is that overfill alarms alone satisfy the rule — they do only if the alarm sounds at 90% and a human is positioned to stop the delivery, which the federal rule has effectively phased out.
Section IV, Box 14: Financial Responsibility
This field asks how you demonstrate financial responsibility for cleanup and third-party damages — usually private insurance, the Michigan Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund, a surety bond, a guarantee, a letter of credit, or self-insurance. Check the mechanism and enter the policy or certificate number. Marcus Wood checks Private Insurance and writes Policy MFL-2024-88421 with carrier Federated Mutual.
A nuance is MUSTA participation: small operators with fewer than 13 tanks may be eligible for the MUSTA Cleanup Fund which acts as a deductible-reduction mechanism, but you still need underlying insurance. The common mistake is listing an expired policy number or one whose effective dates do not bracket the date of filing — EGLE cross-checks dates and will return the form. The misconception is that the federal $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate requirement is optional for small businesses — it is not, only the aggregate drops to $1 million for fewer than 100 tanks.
Section V, Box 15: Installer and Installation Certification
This field asks for the name, license number, and signature of the Michigan-licensed installer who put the tank in the ground, plus the installation date. The installer must hold a current Storage Tank System Installer license from LARA. Carlos Rivera’s installer writes Greg Halverson, License STI-2019-0344, Installed 04/12/2026.
A nuance is owner-installed tanks: if you installed it yourself before licensing was required (pre-1989), write Pre-license installation and attach an affidavit. The common mistake is skipping this section on a change of ownership filing — leave it as the original installer’s information; do not erase it. The misconception is that the installer’s signature on EQP 4400 substitutes for Form EQP 4420 Installation Certification — it does not; both forms are required for a new install.
Section VI, Box 16: Operator Information
This field asks for the names and certification dates of your Class A, Class B, and Class C operators under R 29.2160. Class A is the responsible person for the facility, Class B handles day-to-day compliance, and Class C is any on-shift employee trained to respond to emergencies. Janine Park lists herself as Class A and Class B, certified 03/02/2024, and lists three Class C employees with their training dates.
A nuance is that Class A and Class B can be the same person at small single-operator stations, but Class C cannot be the same person as A or B unless they are the only employee on duty. The common mistake is listing operators whose certification has expired (Class A and B require renewal every 3 years); expired certs equal no certs. The misconception is that operator training is a one-time event — it is not, and EGLE inspectors check the certification card on every visit.
Section VII, Box 17: Owner Certification and Signature
This is the final certification block stating that the owner has read the form, the information is true under penalty of perjury, and the owner accepts the regulatory obligations. The owner — not the installer, not the consultant — must sign and date. Aisha Bennett signs Aisha Bennett, prints Aisha Bennett, Owner, and dates 05/28/2026.
A nuance is corporate signers: a corporate officer must sign in their official capacity and write their title (e.g., President), because Michigan treats the signature as a binding admission of regulatory status. The common mistake is having an environmental consultant or attorney sign for the owner without a power of attorney attached — EGLE will return the form. The misconception is that an electronic signature is acceptable on the paper form — only the MiEHDWIS portal accepts e-signatures; on paper, ink only.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Seeing a finished form helps more than reading instructions, so here are three of the most common Michigan filings: a brand-new station install, an ownership change at an existing station, and a permanent tank closure.
Scenario 1: Carlos Rivera Opens a New Three-Tank Station in Grand Rapids
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Type of Notification | New Installation |
| Box 2 — Facility ID | NEW (left blank) |
| Box 3 — Facility Name and Address | Rivera Fuel Stop, 1820 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508, Kent County |
| Box 4 — Owner | Rivera Fuel Stop LLC, 1820 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508 |
| Box 5 — Owner Type | Commercial |
| Box 6 — Number of Tanks | 3 |
| Box 7 — Tank Capacities | 10000, 10000, 8000 |
| Box 8 — Substances | 1 (Regular), 1 (Premium), 2 (Diesel) |
| Box 9 — Tank Material | FRP (all three) |
| Box 12 — Leak Detection | Continuous interstitial monitoring |
| Box 14 — Financial Responsibility | Federated Mutual, Policy MFL-2026-99102 |
| Box 17 — Signature | Carlos Rivera, Member, 05/28/2026 |
Scenario 2: Janine Park Buys an Existing Two-Tank Station in Detroit
| Form Section | What Janine Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Type of Notification | Change of Ownership |
| Box 2 — Facility ID | 0098221 (from seller’s annual fee invoice) |
| Box 3 — Facility Name and Address | Park Mini-Mart, 14210 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48205, Wayne County |
| Box 4 — Owner | Park Mini-Mart Inc., 14210 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48205 |
| Box 5 — Owner Type | Commercial |
| Box 6 — Number of Tanks | 2 |
| Box 7 — Tank Capacities | 12000, 8000 |
| Box 8 — Substances | 1 (Gasoline), 2 (Diesel) |
| Box 14 — Financial Responsibility | MUSTA Cleanup Fund + Acuity Policy MI-44218 |
| Box 16 — Operators | Janine Park (Class A/B), 3 Class C employees listed |
| Box 17 — Signature | Janine Park, President, 05/28/2026 |
Scenario 3: Marcus Wood Permanently Closes One of Three Tanks in Lansing
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Type of Notification | Permanent Closure (Removal) |
| Box 2 — Facility ID | 0034512 |
| Box 3 — Facility Name and Address | Wood’s Corner Mart, 4421 W Saginaw Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917, Eaton County |
| Box 4 — Owner | Wood’s Corner Mart LLC |
| Box 6 — Number of Tanks at Facility | 3 (2 remaining after closure) |
| Box 7 — Tank Being Closed Capacity | 6000 |
| Box 8 — Substance Last Stored | 2 (Diesel) |
| Box 11 — Piping Disposition | Removed and disposed |
| Closure Date | 05/14/2026 |
| Closure Assessment Attached | Yes — prepared by Envirologic Technologies, PE Stamp |
| Box 17 — Signature | Marcus Wood, Member, 05/28/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
EGLE accepts EQP 4400 through three channels, and you should pick the one that matches your timeline and your comfort with online portals. Whichever channel you choose, you must file within 30 days of the triggering event — installation, ownership change, substance change, or closure — under Section 21104 of Part 211.
Online via MiEHDWIS is the fastest channel. Go to the MiWaters / MiEHDWIS portal, create or log into your Michigan ID account, select Storage Tank Notification, and complete the guided workflow that mirrors EQP 4400. Pay the $100 per tank annual fee by ACH or credit card; the credit card processor adds a 2.3% convenience charge. Processing time is 3–5 business days to STID, and your proof of filing is the auto-generated confirmation email plus the PDF receipt — save both.
By mail is the traditional channel. Print the completed form on letter-size paper, sign in blue or black ink, and mail with a check payable to State of Michigan to: EGLE, Storage Tank Section, P.O. Box 30473, Lansing, MI 48909-7973. There is no fax fee; certified mail with return receipt costs about $9 and is the cheapest way to prove the 30-day deadline was met. Processing time is 4–6 weeks, and your proof of filing is the green return-receipt card.
In person is allowed but rarely used. Bring the completed form and check to EGLE Headquarters, Constitution Hall, 525 W Allegan St, Lansing, MI 48933, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Ask the clerk to date-stamp your copy as proof of filing. Processing time matches mail because the form still routes to the Storage Tank Section’s intake queue.
What Happens After You File
Once EGLE receives your EQP 4400, the Storage Tank Section logs it into STID, assigns or confirms your Facility ID and Tank IDs, and issues a Registration Certificate that is mailed to the owner address on Box 4. Keep the certificate posted at the facility — fuel suppliers ask to see it before the first delivery, and inspectors check for it on the first compliance inspection.
EGLE then schedules a compliance inspection within 6 months for new installations and within 12 months for ownership changes, performed by a Storage Tank Section inspector or a delegated local agency. The inspector verifies that the tanks, piping, leak detection, spill and overfill protection, financial responsibility, and operator training all match what you reported on the form. Discrepancies trigger a Notice of Violation under Part 211 Section 21314, with 30–60 days to correct.
You will also begin receiving annual fee invoices for $100 per tank, due each January, plus reminders for the 3-year operator recertification and the annual functionality testing of leak detection equipment. Missing the annual fee for 90 days triggers a delivery prohibition flag under the Red Tag program, which directs fuel haulers to refuse to drop product at your tanks until the fee clears.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
These are the errors EGLE staff cite most often when returning EQP 4400 for correction. Each one is fixable, but each one also restarts your 30-day clock if it pushes you past the deadline.
- Using an outdated revision of the form, which causes automatic rejection regardless of content.
- Leaving the Facility ID blank without writing NEW, which forces manual lookup and adds weeks to processing.
- Mismatching the legal entity name with the financial responsibility certificate, which voids the demonstration.
- Mixing substance codes — entering 2 for gasoline because diesel is “regular” — which causes insurance and fee mismatches.
- Reporting working capacity instead of nominal capacity, which conflicts with manufacturer plate data.
- Skipping the spill bucket size on Box 13, which is treated as no spill protection and triggers a Notice of Violation.
- Listing an expired insurance policy or one whose effective dates do not bracket today, which voids financial responsibility.
- Forgetting to file a separate EQP 4400 for closure when also installing a new tank, which leaves the closed tank “active” in STID forever.
- Using a P.O. box as the facility address, which prevents inspector access and counts as a missed inspection.
- Letting the environmental consultant sign Box 17 without a power of attorney attached, which voids the certification.
- Ignoring the operator training section because the tanks are new, which is treated as failure to designate operators.
- Submitting the form without the $100 per-tank annual fee, which holds the registration in suspense and risks the Red Tag.
Do’s and Don’ts
The little habits that separate clean filings from returned ones come down to discipline at the desk before you mail or click submit.
- Do download a fresh copy of EQP 4400 each time you file, because EGLE updates fields and the agency rejects superseded versions.
- Do photocopy or PDF the completed form before sending, because EGLE is not required to return your original if it is rejected.
- Do match every entry to a source document — title, insurance certificate, manufacturer plate — because the certification is signed under penalty of perjury.
- Do call the Storage Tank Section at 517-284-5000 before filing complex changes, because a 5-minute call can prevent a 6-week return.
- Do keep your Registration Certificate posted on the facility wall, because fuel haulers and inspectors both look for it.
- Do file ahead of the 30-day deadline, because mail processing time eats into your window.
- Don’t combine multiple events — install plus closure plus ownership change — on one form, because each event needs its own EQP 4400.
- Don’t guess at Facility ID or Tank ID numbers, because wrong numbers post your filing to another owner’s site.
- Don’t sign Box 17 if you are not the owner, because the certification block is owner-only without a power of attorney.
- Don’t use abbreviations or trade names in the legal entity field, because mismatches with LARA records void financial responsibility.
- Don’t leave any box blank — write N/A or None — because blanks trigger automatic returns.
- Don’t wait for the EGLE inspection to fix paperwork errors, because by then the violation is already on your record.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most small Michigan UST owners file their own EQP 4400, but there are real advantages to bringing in a licensed installer or an environmental consultant for complex events.
Pros of filing on your own:
- Saves the $300–$1,500 a consultant typically charges for an EQP 4400 package.
- Builds your familiarity with STID and Part 211, which helps for years of future filings.
- Lets you control the timeline, because no one else is juggling your deadline against other clients.
- Keeps your trade secrets — supplier names, tank locations — inside your business.
- Gives you direct rapport with the EGLE Storage Tank Section staff, who remember repeat callers.
Cons of filing on your own:
- Higher error rate on the technical fields, especially leak detection and corrosion protection.
- No second pair of eyes on the financial responsibility cross-check, which is the most expensive error.
- Easy to miss the 30-day deadline when you are also running a station.
- No professional liability coverage if your form gets rejected and the delay causes a fuel-delivery interruption.
- Time spent learning the form competes with time spent running the business.
FAQs
Do I need to file EQP 4400 for a 500-gallon farm tank used for my own tractor fuel?
No. Farm and residential motor fuel tanks of 1,100 gallons or less used non-commercially are exempt from registration under Part 211 Section 21103.
Is the $100 per tank annual fee due even for a tank that is empty but not closed?
Yes. The fee applies to every regulated tank in the ground until you formally close it through EQP 4400, regardless of whether it currently holds product.
Can I leave Box 2 (Facility ID) blank for a brand-new site?
Yes. Write NEW in the box or in the margin so the intake clerk knows to assign a number rather than search STID for an existing one.
Do I write my LLC name or my personal name as the owner in Box 4?
Yes — write the legal entity name on file with LARA, which is your LLC if the LLC holds title to the tank equipment, not your personal name.
Does a double-compartment tank count as one tank or two in Box 6?
Yes — count each compartment separately. A single-shell tank with two compartments counts as two tanks for registration, fee, and insurance purposes.
Can my environmental consultant sign Box 17 instead of me?
No. The owner must sign personally unless a written power of attorney is attached, because the certification is made under penalty of perjury.
Is online filing through MiEHDWIS faster than mailing the paper form?
Yes. Online filings post to STID in 3–5 business days, while mailed forms take 4–6 weeks because of intake queue and manual data entry.
Do I file a new EQP 4400 if I switch a tank from diesel to E85?
Yes. A change in regulated substance is a notification trigger, and you must file the form within 30 days of the substance change.
Can I check both automatic shutoff and overfill alarm in Box 13?
No. Pick the primary mechanism that physically stops product flow. Listing two without designating primary causes EGLE to call you for clarification.
Is a P.O. box acceptable as the facility address in Box 3?
No. Box 3 must be the physical street address where the tanks are buried, because inspectors need to drive to the site.
Do I need to list Class C operators by name in Box 16?
Yes. Every Class C operator must be listed by name with the date of training, because EGLE inspectors verify the names against on-shift staff.
Can I file one EQP 4400 to both install a new tank and close an old one?
No. Each event requires its own EQP 4400 under separate STID action codes, even when both events happen at the same facility on the same day.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Florida DEP Aboveground Storage Tank Registration + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida DEP Underground Storage Tank Registration + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan EGLE Air Permit to Install (PTI) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Public Supply Notification + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Georgia EPD Underground Storage Tank Notification Form (Form 7530) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Tier II Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Washington Ecology Water Quality Modification Permit + FAQs