Borrower guide · Use case
SBA loan for a gas station
Gas stations are a well-worn SBA path — but the fuel tanks add one step no other deal has: an environmental review that can make or break the file.
The environmental review
Fuel storage means contamination risk, so SBA lenders require an environmental investigation — usually a Phase I assessment, escalating to a Phase II with soil or groundwater testing if anything is flagged. Budget the time and cost; a clean report is a condition of closing, not a formality.
Special-purpose property and down payment
A gas station is a textbook special-purpose property — hard to repurpose — which raises the 504 down payment to 15% for a startup or new owner, and 20% for a startup buying special-purpose. See down payment rules.
Why 504 fits, and financing the store
Because most of the value is in the land and building, 504’s long fixed rate is a natural fit — find the CDCs active in your state. A 7(a) can bundle the business, inventory and the convenience-store side into one loan if you prefer a single facility.
Find a CDC
Gas-station real estate usually goes 504 — see the CDCs that fund fuel sites in your state.
Match with a 504 CDC →Gas stations in the record
our dataConvenience-store gas stations are a substantial 504 category; see loan sizes, top CDCs and default performance on our gas-station industry page. Compare the two programs on your deal below.
Common questions
Can you get an SBA loan for a gas station?
Yes — gas stations are a common SBA deal, often financed via 504 for the real estate. The underground tanks require an environmental review.
How much down for a gas station?
Around 10% for an established buyer of general-use property, but a gas station is special-purpose, so plan on 15% as a startup and up to 20% for a startup buying special-purpose property.
What environmental report is required?
Usually a Phase I environmental assessment, escalating to a Phase II with testing if issues are found. A clean report is a condition of closing.
Keep going
Rules described here follow SBA SOP 50 10 8 (effective June 1, 2025) and can change; lenders add their own overlays. This is education, not advice — confirm specifics with your lender. Figures cited as “our data” come from the SBA 7(a) & 504 FOIA record, released 2026-06-30.