Hemet, CA Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)

The City of Hemet does not publish a stand-alone propane (LP-gas) storage ordinance; storage and use are governed by the California Fire Code (Chapter 61, Liquefied Petroleum Gases) that the City adopts and enforces through its Fire Department. Under the Fire Code, LP-gas containers awaiting use, resale, or part of an exchange program that are stored outside of buildings must be located per the code's distance tables (Table 6109.12), which set required separation from structures, openings, and property lines based on quantity. Containers generally may not be stored inside buildings except in the limited circumstances allowed by Section 6109.9. For everyday household use, small LP-gas cylinders feeding portable cooking appliances are treated leniently: the Fire Code exempts LP-gas cooking devices with containers of water capacity not greater than 2-1/2 pounds from the 10-foot setback otherwise applied to charcoal/portable burners (Section 308.1.4), and the common 20-lb barbecue cylinder is permitted for residential outdoor cooking when used and stored outdoors in a ventilated area away from ignition sources. Larger tanks, multiple-cylinder storage, and any commercial LP-gas operation may require a Fire Department permit and must meet Chapter 61 siting, signage, and protection requirements. Because amounts and setbacks scale with quantity, anyone storing more than typical household cylinders should confirm requirements with the Hemet Fire Department before installation.