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Guilford County, NC Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Governing standard
NFPA 58 (adopted statewide)
Store cylinders
Outdoors, upright, only
Never store
Indoors, crawl space, near ignition
Construction docs needed
>2,000 gal single / 4,000 gal aggregate
Grill cylinders
Exempt from permit, outdoors only

Summary

Propane cylinders must be stored outdoors and upright in Guilford County, never indoors, in a crawl space, or near ignition sources. North Carolina adopts NFPA 58, and larger tanks (over 2,000 gallons single or 4,000 gallons aggregate water capacity) require submitted construction documents.

City-specific rules exist: High Point has its own propane storage rules that differ from Guilford County's county-level regulations. If you live in High Point, check the city-specific page instead.

Tanks containing propane, or that ever had propane in them, are to be stored outdoors. Do not store indoors. Do not store under the house, such as in a crawl space. Do not store near a flame, fire, or other source of ignition.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Propane storage in North Carolina follows NFPA 58 (the LP-Gas Code), automatically adopted by the NC LP-Gas Program, plus the NC Fire Code. The state Standards Division's official guidance is that propane tanks 'containing propane, or that ever had propane in them, are to be stored outdoors' and must never be stored 'indoors,' 'under the house, such as in a crawl space,' 'laying on its side or upside down,' 'in the hot sun,' or 'near a flame, fire, or other source of ignition.' Cylinders should stand upright on the foot ring.

Violations & Fines

LP-gas storage and installation violations are enforced by the NC Department of Agriculture Standards Division (LP-Gas Program) and, for fixed-tank installs, county fire and building inspections. Improper storage that causes a hazard can lead to correction orders, red-tagging, and penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my propane grill tank in the garage or basement?
No. NC guidance requires propane cylinders to be stored outdoors and upright, never indoors, in a garage, or in a crawl space, and away from any flame or ignition source.
Do I need a permit for a home propane tank?
Small grill cylinders need no permit. Fixed installations require submitted construction documents when a single tank exceeds 2,000 gallons or aggregate capacity exceeds 4,000 gallons water capacity.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Guilford County

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsFire Pits & Backyard FiresSome RestrictionsBrush ClearanceSome RestrictionsSmoke DetectorsSome RestrictionsFireworksHeavy RestrictionsOutdoor BurningHeavy RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions

All Guilford County rules

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Propane Storage in Cities Across Guilford County

Greensboro, NCHigh Point, NC