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Petroleum Licensing

Applications must be made to Wicklow County Council for a license to store petroleum.

Petroleum is defined as being one of three classes for the purposes of legislation and regulation:

  • Class I, typically Petrol – Leaded and Unleaded (including High Blend Ethanol Fuels)
  • Class II, typically Kerosene / Paraffin
  • Class III, typically Diesel / DERV / Central Heating Oil

The storage of Petroleum Class I (i.e. leaded, unleaded or ethanol blend motor fuel), irrespective of the volume, must be carried out in a controlled manner in accordance with the Dangerous Substances Act 1972 and Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) Regulations 1979.

Section 21 of the Dangerous Substances Act 1972 sets out the quantity of Petroleum Class I, which can be stored without a licence to do so:

Read more about the Dangerous Substances Act 1972

Regulations in force under the Dangerous Substances Act 1972

Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) Regulations 1979 to 2006: These typically apply to petrol stations that dispense petrol through retail transactions on a forecourt and commercial sites that dispense petrol for use by employees within the confines of the site.

Dangerous Substances (Bulk Petroleum Stores) Regulations, 1979: These typically apply to large and medium size bulk storage facilities where large quantities of Petroleum Class I are stored, sometimes in conjunction with Petroleum Class II and/or III, for subsequent delivery to retail petrol stations.

Licensing authority

The licensing authority for Co. Wicklow is Wicklow County Council and all applications for a licence to store Petroleum Class I must be made in accordance with Regulations S.I. 311: 1979.

Alterations to existing petroleum storage sites

In accordance with Section 11 of the Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) Regulations 1979 to 2006, no alteration works can be carried out to a petroleum storage facility without written application to and subsequent written consent from the licensing authority.

Discontinuation of existing petroleum sites

In accordance with Section 10 of the Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) Regulations 1979 to 2006, a licensee must give 21 days' notice in writing to the licensing authority of their intention to discontinue the use of an underground storage tank and all practicable steps must be taken to render the tank immune from the risk of fire or explosion including any steps required in writing by the licensing authority.

Application for a licence to store petroleum

An application for a licence to store petroleum must, at a minimum, include the following:

  • A completed application form
  • An electrical test certificate
  • A current Vapour Recovery (VR) certificate under the Air Pollution Act 1987 (Petroleum Vapour Emissions) Regulations 1997
  • Plans, maps, technical specifications and details as listed under Article 12 of the Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) Regulations 1979
  • The appropriate fee under the Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) Regulations 1979

An application for the renewal of a licence must be made at least three months before the date on which the current licence expires.