Bothell, WA Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)

BMC 20.08.067 amends Chapter 61, Liquefied Petroleum Gases, of the International Fire Code as adopted by BMC 20.08.040. Section 6104.2 now says that within the limits established by law restricting LP-gas storage for the protection of heavily populated or congested areas, identified as the Downtown Core area, the aggregate capacity of any one installation shall not exceed a water capacity of 2,000 gallons. The measure is water capacity of the container, and the cap applies to the aggregate of any one installation, so adding tanks at one site counts toward the same total. The amended section prints one cap and no separate figure for homes.

The first exception gives the Fire Marshal control in particular installations. The capacity limit is determined by the Fire Marshal after consideration of special features such as topographical conditions, nature of occupancy, and proximity to buildings, along with the capacity of proposed LP-gas containers, the degree of fire protection to be provided, and the capabilities of the local fire department.

The second exception handles annexation. Existing installations exceeding five hundred (500) gallons water capacity, but not exceeding two thousand (2,000) gallons, are allowed to continue. Installations over 2,000 gallons water capacity continue for two years from the effective date of annexation. After that, the container must be emptied in the manner provided by law and removed from service, and it must be lawfully removed from the site within thirty (30) days.

Permits sit on top of the cap. BMC 20.08.070 has the city manager, fire chief, and fire code official act as a committee that specifies any new materials, processes, or occupancies needing permits beyond the fire code list, and BMC 20.08.080 sets operational permit terms, with fees fixed by council resolution.