Del Norte County, CA Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)

There is no special Del Norte County propane ordinance; storage follows the California Fire Code (Chapter 61, Liquefied Petroleum Gases) and NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code), which are adopted statewide and enforced by the local fire authority (CAL FIRE or the local fire district). Under California Fire Code rules, LP-gas containers must not be located inside buildings, basements, pits, or below-grade spaces where heavier-than-air gas could collect. Aboveground tanks must meet minimum separation distances that increase with tank size: small residential tanks (up to 125 gallons water capacity) must be set back from building openings and the property line, while larger tanks (over 125 gallons) require greater clearances and typically a fire-department operational permit. Portable BBQ cylinders should be stored outdoors, upright, away from heat and ignition sources, and never in a basement or enclosed living space. In the CAL FIRE State Responsibility Area, defensible-space rules under Public Resources Code Section 4291 call for clearing flammable vegetation around the tank (commonly a 10-foot clearance). Installation, piping, and tank placement should be done by a licensed propane provider who pulls any required permits. Confirm specific setbacks and permit thresholds with your local fire district before installing a tank.