Alpine County regulates propane primarily through the California Fire Code, adopted by reference in County Code Chapter 15.04. The county also added a high-elevation amendment requiring that roofs above 6,200 feet be designed so snow and ice shedding will not occur onto LPG storage tanks. Defensible space and clearance rules under PRC 4291 and Chapter 8.20 also apply around propane tanks.
Propane (liquefied petroleum gas) storage in unincorporated Alpine County is governed mainly by the California Fire Code (2022 Edition, the adopted 2021 International Fire Code), which the county adopts by reference under County Code section 15.04.020. The California Fire Code and the California Mechanical Code set the installation, tank-clearance, and permitting standards for LPG containers. Alpine County added a locally significant amendment in section 15.04.030: for elevations above 6,200 feet, the roof and eaves of newly constructed buildings (and roof alterations/additions) must be designed so that snow/ice-shedding impact areas will not occur on LPG storage tanks, among other protected features, and property owners must maintain those snow-shed impact areas to keep snow from encroaching. This reflects Alpine County's deep-snow, high-elevation environment (winter design temperature of -15°F and ground snow loads requiring engineered design). In addition, because propane is a 'fuel' for defensible-space purposes — County Code section 8.20.020 defines 'fuel' to include petroleum-based products — owners are expected to keep vegetation cleared around tanks as part of PRC 4291 defensible space and Chapter 8.20 fuels reduction. Installation of propane tanks requires permits and inspection through the county building/fire process under Title 15, and CAL FIRE/State Fire Marshal LPG rules apply in the State Responsibility Area.
Improper LPG installation or storage is enforced as a building/fire code violation under County Code Title 15; section 15.04.040 makes violations of the adopted codes punishable as provided in the code, and uncorrected work can block occupancy. Failure to keep defensible space clear around tanks can be cited under the fuels-reduction provisions of Chapter 8.20 (misdemeanor/infraction, up to $1,000 and/or 90 days, section 8.20.120). State Fire Marshal and CAL FIRE LPG requirements apply independently in the SRA.
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