El Paso, TX Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- El Paso City Code § 18.24.050
- Distance trigger
- 1,000 ft. from a gas main
- Restricted occupancies
- Group R1, R2, R3, R4
- Permit required
- Fire Code operational permit
- Max fine
- $2,000/day (§ 18.02.115)
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 019528, 8-1-2023
Summary
El Paso's Gas Code bars new liquefied petroleum gas systems in R1-R4 residential occupancies whenever a natural gas utility line runs within 1,000 feet, and requires any LP-gas storage system that is installed to be designed, installed, and permitted under the Fire Code.
401.2 Liquefied petroleum gas. The storage system for liquefied petroleum gas shall be designed, installed and an operational permit obtained, in accordance with the Fire Code. Exception: Liquefied petroleum gas system shall not be installed in Group R1, R2, R3 and R4 occupancies when a natural gas utility supply pipe is available within 1,000 feet of the buildings.
Full Breakdown
050 (Ord. No. 019528, § 1, adopted August 1, 2023), replacing the prior Gas Code chapter that dated to a 2016 ordinance. The amended text requires that 'the storage system for liquefied petroleum gas shall be designed, installed and an operational permit obtained, in accordance with the Fire Code,' meaning an installer must secure a Fire Code operational permit before a tank goes into service, on top of any gas or building permit for the connected appliances. ' In practice, that pushes propane tanks to parcels where piped natural gas hasn't reached yet, since anything within roughly a fifth of a mile of an existing main must connect to gas service instead.
2 rather than leaving the stock model-code text unchanged. Separately, the 2021 International Fire Code's own Chapter 61, 'Liquefied Petroleum Gas,' is adopted by the city as 'reserved,' with no added or amended local text, so tank capacity, spacing, and container-distance specifics for a permitted installation default to the stock IFC chapter administered by the Fire Prevention Division rather than a separately printed El Paso number.
Violations & Fines
Violating the Building and Construction Administrative Code, including its Gas Code chapters, is a misdemeanor under City Code § 18.02.115, punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, with each day a violation continues charged as a separate offense. An unpermitted or noncompliant LP-gas installation can also draw separate Fire Code enforcement action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a propane tank at my El Paso home?
Do I need a permit for a propane storage system?
What happens if I install propane without meeting the setback rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Paso
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