Nevada County, CA Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)

Propane (LP-gas) installations in unincorporated Nevada County are regulated under the California Fire Code, Chapter 61 (Liquefied Petroleum Gases), which incorporates NFPA 58, the national LP-Gas Code - there is no special county distance ordinance. Container separation is set by Fire Code Table 6104.3, based on water capacity. For an above-ground container in the 126-to-500-gallon range (the typical home tank), the minimum separation between the container and buildings, public ways, or lot lines of adjoining property that can be built on is 10 feet. Smaller above-ground containers of less than 125-gallon water capacity (for example, the tanks that supply many homes' appliances) may be placed without that separation distance when installed in compliance with code - including positioning the pressure-relief device discharge away from building openings and ignition sources. A single container of 1,200-gallon capacity or less may be reduced to no less than 10 feet provided it is at least 25 feet from any LP-gas container larger than 125 gallons, and above-ground containers of 2,000 gallons or less must be at least 5 feet from public ways. NFPA 58 also requires separation from special hazards such as flammable-liquid tanks and power lines. Installations generally require a permit and inspection, and in this wildfire-prone area tanks should be sited in cleared, defensible space. Confirm exact placement with a licensed propane installer and the Nevada County Building Department or fire authority.