Amherst, NY Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)

Section 83-5-3 lists the activities that need a fire prevention permit before they may occur in the Town, and the Liquefied Petroleum Gas entry sets two separate triggers: a permit is required for each installation of liquefied petroleum gas employing a container or an aggregate of interconnected containers of over 1,000 gallons' water capacity, and separately for each permanent installation, irrespective of size of containers. In practice that means a small permanently plumbed residential propane tank needs a permit even though it is far below the 1,000-gallon threshold, while any temporary or portable LP-gas setup only needs one once its containers add up past 1,000 gallons of water capacity.

Applications go to the Commissioner of Building on the prescribed forms, must be made under oath, must describe the location, quantities and storage method for the gas, and are filed with the Town Clerk along with the fee set by the Town's fee schedule. Permits are not transferable, and any change in the activity, operation, location, ownership or use of the installation requires a new permit application. A certificate of occupancy that specifically certifies the LP-gas installation can serve as the fire prevention permit in lieu of a separate filing.

The Commissioner of Building conducts periodic inspections of permitted installations for compliance with the Uniform Code and the terms of the permit, and issues notices or orders when violations are found, setting deadlines for correction or ordering the activity to stop until it is fixed.