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

Modoc County has no stand-alone propane or LP-gas chapter in its County Code. Liquefied petroleum gas storage and use are instead regulated through the statewide codes the county has adopted. Modoc County Code Chapter 15.01 (Ordinance No. 221-J, July 2024) adopts the 2022 California Fire Code (CFC), the 2022 California Mechanical Code, and the 2022 California Plumbing Code for all unincorporated territory. Under the adopted California Fire Code, LP-gas storage and dispensing are regulated, and the code references NFPA 58 (the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) for container placement, separation distances, and protection. In practice, larger residential propane tanks must be set back from buildings, property lines, and sources of ignition by the distances specified in the Fire Code and NFPA 58, sized to the tank's water capacity, and tank installations generally require a permit through Modoc County Building and Safety so the gas piping and clearances can be inspected. For outdoor cooking, the adopted Fire Code (Section 308.1.4) limits LP-gas burners with a container water capacity greater than 2.5 pounds from being placed on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction, with an exception for one- and two-family dwellings. Because the requirements come from state code rather than a unique Modoc ordinance, owners should confirm tank size, setback, and permit requirements with Modoc County Building and Safety and their propane supplier before installing or relocating a tank.