California uniformly applies the State Fire Marshal's propane storage standards through the California Fire Code, which all local jurisdictions must enforce as a minimum.
Health and Safety Code Section 18928.1 and Title 24, Part 9 (California Fire Code) Chapter 61, adopt NFPA 58 requirements for liquefied petroleum gas storage, handling, and use. Residential cylinder limits (typically 25 gallons aggregate without permit), tank setbacks from buildings and property lines, and installation by licensed contractors apply uniformly statewide. Health and Safety Code Section 13143.5 reserves authority over LPG containers to the State Fire Marshal. Local agencies may adopt stricter requirements based on local climatic, geological, or topographic conditions only after making findings under H&S Code 17958.7, but cannot relax the state standard.
Fire Code violations are misdemeanors; storage exceeding limits without permit can result in red-tagging, fines, and forced removal at owner cost.
See how Arcata's propane storage rules stack up against other locations.
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