Ontario, CA Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- OMC § 4-4.73
- Where allowed
- General Industrial District only
- Extra requirement
- Specific Fire Chief approval
- Adopts
- 2025 CFC § 6104.2
- First-offense fine
- Up to $100
- Third-offense fine
- Up to $1,000
Summary
Ontario bans bulk liquefied petroleum gas storage in every zoning district except the General Industrial District under Fire Code Section 4-4.73, and even there a storage installation needs the Fire Chief's specific approval before it can open. The rule implements Section 6104.2 of the 2025 California Fire Code and is aimed at keeping large LP-gas storage out of the city's populated neighborhoods.
Sec. 4-4.73. Amendment: Establishment of the limits in which storage of liquefied petroleum gases is restricted for the protection of heavily populated or congested areas. The limits referred to in Section 6104.2 of 2025 California Fire Code, in which storage of liquefied petroleum gas is restricted, are hereby established as follows:
(a) All areas and zoning districts of the City except the General Industrial District of the City zoning ordinance, and with the specific approval of the Fire Chief. (§ 2, Ord. 3320, eff. February 19, 2026)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-32: Current through Ordinance 3338, passed 7-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
2 of that Fire Code calls for. The ordinance's stated purpose is protecting heavily populated or congested areas from LP-gas storage risk, so the city drew the line at zoning districts rather than distance to any single building: bulk propane storage is off-limits in every district of Ontario except the General Industrial District, and inside that district it still cannot proceed without the Fire Chief signing off on the specific installation. 2's bulk storage limits. The Fire Prevention Division reviews any proposed LP-gas storage site against this district map before a permit is issued, and the Fire Chief can deny an application inside the Industrial District if the specific location still poses a risk to a heavily populated or congested area. 72, applies the identical two-part limit (Industrial District only, plus Fire Chief approval) to stationary containers of flammable cryogenic fluids.
Violations & Fines
Violating the Section 4-4.73 storage limits is charged under the Fire Code's administrative fine schedule at OMC Section 4-4.74: up to $100 for a first offense, up to $200 for a second violation of the same provision within one year, and up to $1,000 for a third or later violation in that period. Fire officials can also pursue an infraction or misdemeanor under Section 4-4.46, with each day the unauthorized storage continues counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a propane tank at my Ontario home?
Where can a business store bulk propane in Ontario?
What happens if a company stores propane outside the Industrial District?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ontario
California rules heatmap·Compare Ontario to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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