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

Kings County Code Section 10-1 adopts the 2019 California Fire Code for the unincorporated area, including Chapter 61 (Liquefied Petroleum Gases), which together with NFPA 58 governs the storage, handling, and use of propane (LP-gas). Under California Fire Code Chapter 61, LP-gas containers may not be located inside buildings or in basements, pits, or below-grade spaces where heavier-than-air gas could collect unless approved ventilation is provided. Aboveground containers must meet minimum separation distances from buildings, openings, and property lines based on tank size; under the Fire Code container-distance tables, containers up to 125 gallons water capacity must generally be set back from building openings and property lines, and larger tanks require greater separation. An operational permit from the fire code official is required under California Fire Code Section 105.6 to store, use, or handle LP-gas above the listed thresholds (commonly more than 125 gallons aggregate water capacity at a residence). Portable BBQ cylinders should be stored outdoors away from ignition sources and building openings, and never in a basement or enclosed below-grade space.