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Des Moines, IA Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permit trigger
150 gal / 636 lb aggregate
Max installation size
1,000 gallons water capacity
Cooking cylinder exemption
20 lbs, outdoor use only
Restricted zones
Fire zones 1, 2, and 3
Enforcing agency
Fire Prevention Bureau

Summary

Any LP-gas installation in Des Moines with 150 or more gallons of aggregate container capacity requires a fire prevention bureau permit, and no single installation can exceed 1,000 gallons of water capacity absent fire marshal approval.

The aggregate capacity of any one installation shall not exceed 1,000 gallons of water capacity, except that in particular installations this limit may be altered at the discretion of the fire marshal or the fire marshal's designee after due consideration of all factors involved.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

Des Moines requires a fire prevention bureau permit for any propane (LP-gas) installation reaching 150 gallons or 636 pounds aggregate container capacity, renewed annually once the system is installed and approved. Containers over 20 pounds must sit outside buildings; installations are barred from fire zones 1, 2 and 3 except for fire-chief-approved temporary setups of up to 180 days or small cylinders of 20 pounds or less used outdoors for cooking. No single installation can hold more than 1,000 gallons water capacity unless the fire marshal grants an exception. Containers can't be stacked and must rest on concrete pads, not blocks or bricks.

Violations & Fines

Installing or operating LP-gas storage without an active fire prevention bureau permit, or exceeding zone and capacity limits, is enforced as a general Code violation: a misdemeanor citation under Code § 1-15, prosecuted by the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a small propane tank at my Des Moines home?
Only if your container(s) total 150 gallons or 636 pounds or more aggregate. A 20-pound outdoor cooking cylinder is exempt from the permit requirement.
Can I install a large propane tank in my Des Moines neighborhood?
Not in fire zones 1, 2, or 3 without special temporary approval from the fire chief; outside those zones, aggregate capacity is still capped at 1,000 gallons.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Des Moines

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All Des Moines rules

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