Chesterfield County, VA Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)
Key Facts
- Containers
- must be in a secured, anchored enclosure
- Enclosure signage
- supplier name, 24-hr phone, NO SMOKING
- Vehicular protection
- required if fire official orders it
- LP-gas suppliers
- must staff 24/7 maintenance contact
- Violation penalty
- Class 1 misdemeanor, up to $2,500/12 mo
Summary
Chesterfield's Fire Prevention Code amendments require every liquefied-petroleum-gas container to sit in a secured enclosure anchored to a sidewalk, pad or building so it can't tip or be tampered with, marked with the supplier's name, a 24-hour phone number and 'NO SMOKING' signs, plus vehicle protection wherever the fire official requires it.
6101.4 Emergency Services. Add subsection 6101.4 as follows: Anyone who supplies liquefied petroleum gas service shall have a qualified maintenance person available at all times to assist fire department personnel with emergency incidents involving the service. ... 6109.13 Protection of Containers. Delete and substitute section 6109.13 as follows: Containers shall be placed in a suitable enclosure or otherwise protected against tampering. The enclosure shall be secured to the sidewalk, concrete pad, or building to avoid tipping or movement of the enclosure. The servicing company's name and 24-hour phone number and "NO SMOKING" signs shall be provided and maintained on the enclosure. Vehicular protection shall be provided as required by the fire official.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 10-3 adopts the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code's Chapter 61 (Liquefied Petroleum Gases) with Chesterfield's own substitute language. Sec. ' The enclosure must display the servicing company's name and a 24-hour phone number along with 'NO SMOKING' signs, and the fire official can require vehicular protection (bollards or similar) around it. Sec. 4 adds a separate duty on the supply side: anyone who supplies LP-gas service must keep a qualified maintenance person available at all times to assist fire department personnel with emergency incidents involving the service, so a homeowner's propane provider can't be unreachable during a leak or fire call.
These sit alongside the county's operational-permit table, which requires a permit for storage and use of LP-gas generally (with a narrow exception for single containers of 500 gallons or less serving occupancies in Group R-3). Because these are fire prevention code amendments under Sec. 10-3, violations of the container-protection or emergency-service duties are enforced the same way as the rest of the article, through the fire marshal's office.
Violations & Fines
Failing to enclose and anchor an LP-gas container as Sec. 6109.13 requires, or a supplier's failure to keep a qualified maintenance person on call under Sec. 6101.4, is enforced under Sec. 10-6 as a Class 1 misdemeanor: up to $2,500.00 in fines, up to 12 months in jail, or both, with every day of the violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chesterfield County regulate how propane tanks are installed?
What has to be posted on a propane tank enclosure?
Do propane companies have any ongoing duty besides delivery?
What happens if a propane container isn't protected as required?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chesterfield County
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