Modesto, CA Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential zones
- LP-gas installations prohibited outright
- Commercial/industrial cap
- 2,000 gallons aggregate per installation
- Allowed zones
- Commercial-Industrial, M-1, M-2 Industrial
- Also allowed
- Auto service stations on commercial land
- Discretion
- Fire Chief may adjust capacity case-by-case
- Effective date
- Ord. 3802-C.S., eff. 1-8-26
Summary
Modesto's Fire Code amendment prohibits liquefied petroleum gas (LP-gas) installations in any residential zone regardless of water capacity. Storage is instead confined to Commercial-Industrial, M-1 and M-2 Industrial zones, and to automotive service stations located on commercially zoned property, with an aggregate 2,000-gallon cap per installation.
Prohibited. LP-gas installations pertinent to systems are not permitted in any residential (R) zones regardless of water capacity. Section 6104.2 of the California Fire Code is hereby adopted by reference, in addition to the following: Within the limits established by law restricting the storage of liquefied petroleum gas for the protection of heavily populated or congested commercial areas, the aggregate capacity of any one (1) installation shall not exceed two-thousand (2,000) gallon water capacity. The storage of liquefied petroleum gases is restricted to those areas of the City zoned Commercial-Industrial zone; M-1 and M-2 Industrial zones and in addition thereto to properties used as Automotive Service Stations located in the areas of the City zoned for commercial use.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 71).
Full Breakdown
226. 2 caps the aggregate capacity of any one installation at 2,000 gallons water capacity, in order to protect heavily populated or congested commercial areas. Storage is restricted to City property zoned Commercial-Industrial, M-1 and M-2 Industrial, plus properties used as automotive service stations located in commercially zoned areas. The Fire Chief has discretion to authorize storage outside those areas when necessary, and in those cases the 2,000-gallon cap still applies as a default, though the Fire Chief may adjust the specific capacity limit for a particular installation after weighing topography, occupancy type, tank capacity, proposed private fire protection and the resources of the local Fire Department.
Any such storage must still conform to the City's separate zoning ordinance. Together, these provisions mean a homeowner cannot install a bulk residential LP-gas tank system regardless of size; larger installations are a commercial and industrial land use, not a residential one.
Violations & Fines
An LP-gas installation placed in a residential zone, or a commercial/industrial installation exceeding the 2,000-gallon aggregate cap without Fire Chief authorization, is enforced by the Fire Prevention Division through permit denial, correction notices and removal orders. As with other Chapter 3-1 amendments, a violation defaults to the citywide penalty in Section 1-2.01: a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and up to a year in county jail, or an infraction up to $500 at the City Attorney's election, with each day treated as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install an LP-gas storage tank system at my Modesto house?
How much LP-gas can a commercial property store?
Can the Fire Chief approve LP-gas storage outside those zones?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Modesto
California rules heatmap·Compare Modesto to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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