Longmont, CO Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- LP-gas container 250 gallons water capacity or more
- Governing section
- LMC § 16.32.080 (formerly § 16.32.070)
- Permit type
- Operational permit, fire code official
- Fee basis
- Set by city council resolution, not fixed in code
- Recordkeeping
- Reports due within 7 days via Compliance Engine
- Appeals body
- Master Board of Appeals, Chapter 16.30
- Maximum penalty
- $500 fine, 90 days jail, per day
Summary
Longmont requires an operational fire permit before storing or using LP-gas containers with a combined individual water capacity of 250 gallons or greater. The rule sits in the city's local amendments to the International Fire Code and is enforced by the fire code official. Smaller residential-scale tanks fall under the threshold and need no permit under this section.
Section 105.5.30 of the International Fire Code is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: 105.5.30. LP-gas. An operational permit is required for the storage and use of LP-gas containers having an individual water capacity of 250 gallons or greater.
Full Breakdown
30 of the International Fire Code in full: an operational permit is required for the storage and use of LP-gas containers having an individual water capacity of 250 gallons or greater. That 250-gallon threshold is the trigger; a typical 100 or 120-gallon residential propane tank stays outside the permit requirement, while the large tanks used by restaurants, RV parks and industrial users do not. 32 (Ord. No. 30. 9, which sets permit thresholds for other compressed gases stored on the same site (200 cubic feet for most flammable gases, any amount for pyrophoric, highly toxic or toxic gases), so a property with both LP-gas and other compressed gas on hand can trip more than one permit line at once.
115) sets permit, plan review and inspection fees by city council resolution adopted alongside the code, so an applicant confirms the current fee through the fire prevention division rather than the ordinance text. 120): inspection, testing and maintenance reports for permitted systems must go to the fire code official within seven days of completion, submitted through the Compliance Engine platform. 130.
Violations & Fines
Storing or using LP-gas above the 250-gallon threshold without the required operational permit is a violation of Chapter 16.32, punishable under the general penalty in Chapter 1.12: up to a $500.00 fine and up to 90 days in jail, with each day the violation continues counted as a separate offense. Section 113.4 (§ 16.32.150) also lets the city attorney pursue the violation as a public nuisance and seek an injunction in court, on top of any criminal penalty, and paying one penalty never excuses a continuing violation or extends the deadline to correct it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my home propane tank need a Longmont fire permit?
How much does the LP-gas operational permit cost?
What happens if I store LP-gas above the threshold without a permit?
Where did the old citation for this rule go?
Can I appeal if the fire department denies my LP-gas permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Longmont
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