How Much Does an SPCC Plan Cost in 2025?

Need an SPCC Plan? Here's How Much You Need to Budget.

If you're in charge of compliance at your facility and someone’s told you it’s time to get an SPCC Plan, your first question is probably: “How much is this going to cost me?”

Fair question. Unfortunately, when most people start looking for answers when it comes to SPCC Plans and pricing, they hit a wall of vague language, “request a quote” forms, or generic pricing ranges that don’t actually help you budget or make a confident decision.

We’re here to fix that - by covering everything you could possibly want to know about SPCC plan pricing, right here on this page.

At RMA, we believe in being radically transparent about cost - not just to build trust, but because it’s what we’d want if we were in your shoes. So here's the short answer up front: an SPCC plan developed by a professional can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $10,000 (or more!). Most are going to fall in the middle, figure $3,000 to $6,000 per facility as a rough ballpark estimate.

Now, we know that isn't a very helpful range, so let’s unpack what actually goes into SPCC pricing in 2025, and what you should expect to pay based on your specific situation. And if you still have questions when you're done, reach out here.

Table of Contents

• Do you even need an SPCC plan?
• What impacts the cost of an SPCC plan?
• What does an SPCC plan actually cost in 2025?
• What's usually included in the price of SPCC plan development?
• What are the ongoing and hidden SPCC plan costs to look out for?
• How can I save money on my SPCC plan?
• Can't I just develop my SPCC plan myself?
• Where to Get More Help on SPCC Plans

Do You Even Need an SPCC Plan?

If your facility stores oil (and that includes not just petroleum, but diesel, hydraulic fluid, lubricants, used oil, and even cooking oils) you might fall under the federal SPCC rule. The key threshold is 1,320 gallons of total aboveground oil storage (or 42,000 gallons in underground storage). That includes containers 55 gallons and up, and yes, they count even if they're empty. There are some other factors at play too, but this is the big one.

If you meet or exceed that limit, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires you to have a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan in place. For the full story, check out our article on Everything You Need to Know About SPCC Plans.

But here’s the thing: because SPCC Plans are tailored to your site, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. The specifics of your location, your operations, and your storage infrastructure all directly impact what your plan looks like - and what it’s going to cost to develop. So before we get into dollar signs, let’s look at what actually affects the cost of building a compliant SPCC Plan in 2025.

What Impacts the Cost of an SPCC Plan?

There’s no single price tag for an SPCC Plan because no two facilities are exactly alike. But there are some predictable factors that consistently affect what you’ll pay, and understanding them can help you budget with confidence and avoid sticker shock.

1. Facility Size and Layout

The physical footprint of your site plays a major role in pricing. A compact rural facility with one or two tanks might only require a short site visit and a relatively simple plan (but might mean more travel time and costs to get to the site).

Conversely, if your operation stretches over a couple of acres, includes multiple buildings or tank farms, or has other complex features, that increases both the time required to evaluate the site and the detail needed in your plan.

More square footage usually means more tanks, more containment areas, more calculations, and more complexity... and all of that increases the level of effort required to build your plan.

2. SPCC Plan Type: Tier I, Tier II, or PE-Certified

EPA breaks SPCC Plans into three categories:

• Tier I (cheapest): For smaller facilities with less than 10,000 gallons of total storage and no tanks larger than 5,000 gallons.
• Tier II (mid-range): For slightly more complex facilities, still under 10,000 gallons total but with a tank over 5,000 gallons.
• PE-Certified (most expensive): If you exceed the 10,000-gallon threshold, your SPCC Plan must be reviewed and stamped by a licensed Professional Engineer.

As you jump up each level, the level of detail in the plan is expected to be more comprehensive. So, the higher tier your plan is, the longer it takes to develop and review, and the higher the cost tends to be.

3. Where You’re Located

To start, most facilities will need a site visit - where an environmental consultant will walk your operation, take measurements, do calculations, etc. in order to set the foundation for your plan. In some cases, you may qualify for a remotely developed SPCC plan, but let's assume you don't for now.

If your site’s off the beaten path, that can make the price go up - not because we want to nickel and dime you, but because getting there takes real time and resources. Gas isn't cheap, and the time sitting in a car driving means time away from other projects. We sometimes have to book flights, rent a vehicle, or even stay overnight if the location is far from major airports or cities. Add in meals and travel time, and those logistics naturally raise the cost a bit. We’ll always try to keep it as efficient and affordable as possible, we aren't flying first class or eating lobster, but if you’re really out there, it’s something to factor into your budget.

In addition, some states (like Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Michigan, and New Jersey, just to randomly name a few) have additional spill prevention regulations that go beyond the federal SPCC rule.

Your plan may need to "do double duty" and satisfy multiple requirements at once, which can add layers to the process. More regulations to cross-check, more language to include, maybe even more requirements to adhere to! We may also need to coordinate with state environmental agencies (sometimes submitting plans or documents) and that means more time and nuance. And you guessed it: that extra work is going to cost more.

4. How Much We’re Starting With

Are we building a brand-new plan from scratch? Updating a legacy plan from 10 years ago? Or adapting one that was written before a site addition? The more that's already established, the easier and cheaper the project.

If we’re starting fresh, there’s often a discovery process - gathering tank data, confirming drainage paths, walking the site, mapping equipment, and identifying gaps. If you’ve already done that legwork, great - it’ll help streamline the process and reduce cost. If not, we’ll take care of it, but that time has to be factored in.

5. How Quickly You Need the Plan

We get it, sometimes you don’t have the luxury of waiting. Maybe you’ve been told you need an SPCC Plan before a site audit, permit submission, or insurance renewal. Whatever the reason, when you need it fast, we’ll move mountains to get it done.

That said, urgency does affect price. Expedited projects often require rearranging schedules, prioritizing your plan ahead of others already in progress, and possibly putting in extra hours to meet your deadline. We’re happy to do it... but it does come at a premium. If you’re up against a tight timeline, just let us know upfront. We’ll be honest about what’s possible, and we’ll never charge a rush fee unless we’re actually rushing.

6. Other Factors Impact SPCC Plan Prices

And here's a final catch-all category of some other variables that can bump that SPCC plan price up or down.

Is this a one-off location, or are we talking about a large-scope project (enabling you to "buy in bulk and save" kind of thinking)?

Buying one SPCC Plan is going to be more expensive compared to buying plans for fifteen different locations. This also brings travel costs back into play. If you need a dozen plans written, and they're all within close proximity to each other, then travel costs can easily be spread around, bringing the per-unit cost down. Conversely, if those dozen facilities are spread across the US, then the travel costs are going to be higher, but we might be able to shave a couple bucks off the plans themselves, again looking at it from a buy-in-bulk perspective.

Are we already working on other projects with you?

For example, if we wrote a SWPPP for your operation previously, then we likely have lots of your information saved and ready to go in our system. Maybe we can omit the site visit, and get a lot done before we even need to ask for specifics. That saves time, which means that saves you money.

Who are you hiring to write your SPCC Plan?

Let's be clear, for the most part, there are no requirements as to who develops your SPCC Plan. Remember, the goal of this compliance item is for facilities to easily put together documented processes for preventing and controlling oil spills. There's even a template on the USEPA's website that anyone can use for a Tier I Plan. Meaning, anyone can write a plan. Meaning, your consultant can either be an unpaid intern learning the ropes, fresh out of high school, or, the lead consultant for the nation's largest environmental consulting firm. As you can imagine, the credentials and experience will factor into what you pay.

What Does an SPCC Plan Actually Cost? (Realistic Ranges for 2025)

So yes, the price of an SPCC Plan “depends.” But instead of leaving it there, let’s get specific about what most facilities actually pay in 2025. While every SPCC Plan is customized to your site, most projects fall into a few common pricing tiers. These estimates are based on hundreds of plans we’ve written for facilities across industries — from small ag operations to sprawling manufacturing campuses.

Tier I and Tier II Facilities (Self-Certification)

Estimated Cost: $2,500 to $5,000

If your site qualifies as a Tier I or Tier II facility under the EPA’s rules - meaning you store less than 10,000 gallons of oil and meet certain spill history criteria - you may be eligible for a simplified, self-certified SPCC Plan. That means we don't need to get a PE involved, the plan is shorter, simpler, and easier to create.

Plans at this level are often used by businesses like:

• Agricultural operations
• Repair and maintenance shops
• Small to medium-sized commercial and industrial operations
• Offices, Schools, and Hospitals
• Data Centers
• Warehouses with a few aboveground tanks
• Smaller construction projects or landscaping companies

These plans are usually quicker to produce, especially if the site is local or can be documented remotely with good photos and schematics. They still require accuracy and defensibility, but they don’t need a Professional Engineer’s stamp, which keeps costs lower.

PE-Certified Plans (For Larger or More Complex Sites)

Estimated Cost: $4,000 to $10,000+

If your facility exceeds storage thresholds, has a complex layout, stores oil near water, or doesn’t qualify for Tier I/II, your SPCC Plan must be reviewed and certified by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE).

While 10,000 gallons might sound like a lot, it really isn't. Sure, a giant diesel tank used to fill fleet vehicles or trucks might spring to mind, but a couple of smaller tanks can easily push you into the 10,000-gallon range.

The additional cost reflects not just the engineering review, but the higher level of documentation, containment calculations, and often a more extensive site visit.

Some plans push beyond $10,000 when:

• The site includes multiple tanks or several buildings
• The containment strategy is intricate or requires custom mapping
• There’s a need to coordinate across multiple regulatory agencies and address other requirements as part of the plan

Important Note: SPCC Plans Aren’t “One and Done”

Whatever type of SPCC Plan you start with, remember: they must be updated any time there’s a significant change at your facility. This includes:

• Adding or removing tanks
• Modifying containment areas
• Changing personnel responsible for the plan
• Moving to a new site or expanding operations

If you’re not managing those updates in-house, expect to budget for periodic reviews or amendments by your SPCC provider. We often see clients caught off guard by this - they assume the plan is good forever. But under EPA rules, you’re required to review and amend your SPCC Plan at least every five years, and sooner if any material changes occur.

AND!

They come with requirements. Inspections. SPCC Annual Training. You need to use your plan, adhere to it, and make sure it's ready to go, if and when you need it!

What’s Usually Included in the Price for an SPCC Plan?

Most complete SPCC packages include:

• A site visit (or remote review if eligible)
• Detailed tank and containment calculations
• Custom site diagrams and maps
• A fully site-specific plan (hard copy book and online version)
• Certification by a Professional Engineer, if required
• Guidance on training, inspections, and ongoing compliance for long-term success

At RMA, we build every plan to be regulator-ready and easy for your team to understand and implement. To learn more about our process and what you'll get, let's chat.

The Ongoing and Hidden Costs of SPCC Plans

The price of the plan itself is just one piece of the puzzle. There are related costs you may need to consider:

• Annual employee training on the SPCC Plan and spill response (a baseline requirement of every SPCC Plan)
• Spill response kits and secondary containment upgrades
• Time spent conducting inspections, educating staff, or keeping the plan up to date
• Plan updates due to facility changes (new tanks, staffing shifts, layout changes)
• Enforcement risks, including EPA fines or mandated corrective actions if your plan is outdated or incomplete
• Operational delays if a spill occurs and the response plan is unclear or non-compliant

How to Save on Your SPCC Plan

Not every facility has the same needs... or the same budget. The good news? There are a few smart ways to reduce the cost of your SPCC Plan without cutting corners on compliance.

DIY SPCC Plans

This is a no-brainer. If you have less than 10,000 gallons, and no tank over 5,000 gallons in size, the EPA does allow you to write and self-certify your own plan. Go to the USEPA's website, download the SPCC template, and fill it out.

And honestly? Some people do. They write their own plan, it checks the right boxes, and they stay compliant. If that’s you, great. In those cases, you might spend nothing on your SPCC Plan. Just your time.

But here’s the risk: if you get inspected and your plan isn’t good enough (or worse, if you have a spill and your plan can’t hold up) you could be in serious trouble. We’re talking violations, fines, and potential shutdowns. That “free” plan can get very expensive, very fast (like 6 digits!). To see how quickly those SPCC fines add up, check out our violation calculator here.

If you do it wrong, or poorly, and you need it one day, don't expect any participation trophy for doing it half right. It's like going on the IRS website and downloading the forms you (think) you need to do your taxes. Just because you wanted to give it the old college try doesn't mean any regulatory agency, IRS, EPA, DEP, or whatever, will cut you any slack.

AND! The EPA's template is old and outdated! In fact, we've been brought into projects where the EPA said the plan was no good! For example, the template barely, if all, mentions anything about putting together a facility diagram showing tanks and potential flow pathways, which you need in your SPCC Plan.

That’s why a lot of companies, even ones that technically could do it themselves, still choose to hire an expert. They want to know it’s done right the first time. No guessing. No scrambling if an inspector shows up. Just peace of mind and a plan they can stand behind.

So yes - you can DIY your SPCC Plan in some cases. And if you're a PE and can truly do this all yourself, then you've hit the jackpot! But whether you should comes down to how confident you are in getting it 100% right.

Choose Remote SPCC Plan Development If You Qualify

Not every site needs an in-person visit. If your facility is straightforward, and you can provide detailed site photos, tank info, and layout drawings, we may be able to develop your SPCC Plan remotely. Remote plans save travel time and reduce the total project cost. They're especially useful for:

• Sites in hard-to-reach areas
• Facilities with solid documentation already in place
• Repeat clients with consistent layouts across multiple sites

We’ll always let you know if this is a safe and compliant option for your situation, and if it is, it’s a great way to cut costs without sacrificing quality. Check out this post to learn more about the remote SPCC plan development process.

Bundle Your Services With SPCC Projects

If you’re already looking at other environmental compliance needs - like stormwater permits, TRI reporting, or hazardous waste plans - bundling those services can save both time and money. We’re already visiting your site, pulling data, and working through your compliance documentation. Doing it all together is more efficient, and we pass that savings on to you.

Some of our most cost-effective projects are full compliance packages where we handle multiple requirements in one go. If you're looking to bundle other services or not sure what else you might need, reach out here.

Buy Annual SPCC Training in Bulk

Annual SPCC training is a federal requirement, and many companies pay for it one employee at a time. But if you’ve got multiple staff who need training, buying training in bulk can bring the per-person cost way down. We offer online training modules that are cost-effective, easy to roll out, and can be reused for onboarding new hires. Request bulk pricing for our online SPCC training here.

SPCC Plan Costs in 2025 - Know What You’re Getting and Why It Matters

At the end of the day, buying an SPCC Plan isn’t like ordering a PDF template online. You’re investing in a custom, legally-required document designed to protect your site, your team, and your business from the risks and consequences of an oil spill.

Yes, the cost varies. But now you know why. If you’re ready to move forward, we’re here to help. Not with a pushy sales pitch, but with the kind of honest, educational guidance we’re known for.

• Not sure what type of plan you need? We’ll tell you.
• Already have a plan but not sure if it’s compliant? We’ll review it.
• Just want to see a number? Reach out for a ballpark quote.

Whatever your situation, the most expensive option is usually waiting too long... especially if you're out of compliance and don’t know it. We build SPCC Plans that are field-ready, regulator-proof, and future-resilient. And we do it with transparency, speed, and real human support. Visit our contact page here, and let’s make compliance one less thing to worry about.