Colusa County, CA Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)

Bulk propane storage in unincorporated Colusa County is addressed in County Code Chapter 7 'Fire Prevention,' which adopts and amends the Uniform Fire Code. Section 7-5 adds a provision establishing limits 'in which bulk storage of liquified petroleum gas is restricted,' set as the limits of the water districts serving the unincorporated areas of Colusa, Arbuckle, Maxwell, Stonyford, Princeton, Grimes and the congested areas of College City and Delevan, plus other congested areas designated by the fire district. The same chapter (Sec. 7-3.12 and 7-4) similarly restricts above-ground bulk storage of flammable and combustible liquids and new bulk plants in those developed areas. For everyday residential propane — barbecue cylinders, patio-heater tanks and home heating tanks — the rules come from the California Fire Code, adopted countywide by Code Sec. 5-12, together with state LPG safety regulations enforced by the State Fire Marshal. Those standards govern tank setbacks from buildings and property lines, the size of tanks allowed in a given location, prohibition of cylinders near building openings or ignition sources, and proper securing of tanks. Larger tanks (typically 125 gallons and up) and new installations generally require permits and inspection. Because the unincorporated county adopts the state fire code, propane installation and storage track statewide standards along with the county's bulk-storage location limits.