Fort Collins, CO Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)
Key Facts
- Default cap
- 2,000 gallons per installation
- Adjustable by
- Fire Code Official, case by case
- Container protection
- Enclosure plus vehicle impact protection
- Applies within
- District limits set by adoption ordinance
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor under § 1-15
Summary
Fort Collins caps liquefied petroleum gas storage at 2,000 gallons per installation within the district limits set by the fire code adoption ordinance, under a 2024 International Fire Code amendment at City Code § 9-2, Section 6104.2. The Fire Code Official can adjust that ceiling case by case after weighing topography, occupancy, container capacity, fire protection, and local firefighting capability.
6104.2 Maximum capacity within established limits. For the protection of heavily populated or congested areas, storage of liquified petroleum gas shall not exceed an aggregate capacity in any one installation of 2,000 gallons (7570 L) within the limits established by law as set forth in the fire code adoption ordinance and in accordance with the City of Fort Collins Land Use Code. Exception: In particular installations, this capacity limit shall be determined by the fire code official, after consideration of special features such as topographical conditions, nature of occupancy, and proximity to buildings, capacity of proposed LP-gas containers, degree of fire protection to be provided and capabilities of the local fire department.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 155 | Transitional Land Use Code (for project before May 17, 2024): Supplement 61 | Traffic Code: Supplement 27).
Full Breakdown
2, Maximum capacity within established limits, to provide that for the protection of heavily populated or congested areas, storage of liquified petroleum gas shall not exceed an aggregate capacity in any one installation of 2,000 gallons within the limits established by law as set forth in the fire code adoption ordinance and in accordance with the City of Fort Collins Land Use Code. An exception lets the Fire Code Official set a different capacity limit for a particular installation after considering topographical conditions, the nature of the occupancy, proximity to buildings, the capacity of the proposed LP-gas containers, the degree of fire protection provided, and the local fire department's capabilities.
4 where applicable. 2, showing that the City manages bulk fuel storage across several fire code sections tied to its own zoning-based district limits rather than a single citywide number.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the 2,000-gallon aggregate LP-gas storage cap without a Fire Code Official adjustment, or failing to enclose and protect containers from tampering and vehicle impact under Section 6109.13, is enforced as a Chapter 9 fire code violation. It is a misdemeanor under § 9-4, punishable per § 1-15, and each ten-day period the excess storage or unprotected container continues counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much propane can I store at one property in Fort Collins?
Do propane tanks need special protection under Fort Collins's fire code?
Can the City ever allow more than 2,000 gallons of LP-gas at one site?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Collins
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Propane Storage in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Larimer County handle propane storage.