Island County, WA Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted LP-gas standard
- NFPA 58, Storage and Handling of LP Gases
- Fuel gas piping standard
- ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54
- Burn-ban grill exemption
- Propane/briquette grills exempt from burn bans
- Enforcement
- Island County Building Official, permit process
- Violation penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 / 90 days
Summary
Island County doesn't print its own propane storage limits; it adopts the standard by reference. Section 14.01A.010(A)(1)(c) adopts the International Mechanical Code for unincorporated Island County but replaces that code's liquefied petroleum gas provisions with NFPA 58, the national standard for LP-gas storage and handling, plus ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 for fuel gas piping.
c.The International Mechanical Code, published by the International Code Council except that the standards for liquefied petroleum gas installations shall be NFPA 58 (Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases) and ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code);
Full Breakdown
1/NFPA 54, the National Fuel Gas Code, as the governing standards. That means the specific quantity thresholds, tank clearances and installation details for a residential propane tank in unincorporated Island County come from NFPA 58 itself rather than from a number printed in the county code. 03B. 010(B) also sets a conflict rule that matters for propane work performed alongside other systems: where the mechanical code's LP-gas provisions overlap another adopted code listed earlier in the same subsection, such as the International Building Code, the earlier-named code controls.
A separate carve-out appears in the county's burn-ban rules: the definitions of Type I and Type II burn bans exempt barbeque grills using propane or briquettes from the outdoor burning ban, so a portable propane grill remains legal even during a county burn ban.
Violations & Fines
Installing LP-gas equipment that doesn't meet the adopted NFPA 58 and mechanical code standards is enforced as a Building Code violation under section 14.01A.050: a misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense, and the county can also seek an injunction to stop unsafe installations from continuing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What standard governs residential propane tank installation in unincorporated Island County?
Does the Island County Code list a maximum propane tank size?
Can I use a propane grill during an Island County burn ban?
Who enforces propane installation standards in Island County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Island County
Compare Island County to another location·View the Washington fire regulations overview
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