Fall River, MA Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)
Key Facts
- Setback trigger
- Tanks over 5,000 gallons
- Required setback
- 500 feet from residential zones
- Dike required
- Tanks over 30,000 gallons
- Max tank size
- 500,000 gallons water capacity
- Variances
- Not permitted (§ 30-93(F))
Summary
Fall River bars any propane, natural gas, or synthetic gas storage tank over 5,000 gallons from being built within 500 feet of a residentially zoned area, with no variances allowed.
No tank in excess of 5,000 gallons or any other structure shall be erected or installed for the purpose of storing, processing or liquefying propane, natural or synthetic natural gas within 500 feet of a residentially zoned area.
D. No person shall construct a platform and appurtenances for the purpose of loading or unloading tank trucks and tank cars with liquefied propane gas, liquefied natural gas or synthetic natural gas within 500 feet of a residentially zoned area.
E. Acting pursuant to the authority granted by MGL c. 164, § 75, the regulations and restrictions in this section have been promulgated by the City Council in the interest of public safety as it relates to fire and explosion.
F. Notwithstanding the provisions of any rule, regulation or law to the contrary, no variance shall be granted to alter the standards set forth in this section relative to the handling, processing and storage of liquefied natural gas, liquefied propane gas and synthetic natural gas.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4739915; v14 updated 2025-12-23; through 12-23-2025).
Full Breakdown
Fall River's § 30-93 sets citywide standards for aboveground propane, liquefied natural gas, and synthetic natural gas tanks, adopted by the City Council under MGL c. 164, § 75 for fire and explosion safety. Tanks over 5,000 gallons must sit at least 500 feet from any residentially zoned area; tanks over 30,000 gallons need an NFPA-standard containment dike; and no tank may exceed 500,000 gallons of water capacity. Subsection (F) bars the Zoning Board from granting any variance from these limits.
Violations & Fines
Building an oversized or too-close propane, LNG, or synthetic gas tank violates § 30-93; the Zoning Board of Appeals cannot grant a variance from these standards under subsection (F).
Frequently Asked Questions
How close can a large propane tank be to homes in Fall River?
Can Fall River grant a variance for these propane tank rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fall River
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