Bernalillo County, NM Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)
Key Facts
- Where it applies
- East Mountain, Sandia foothills, Bosque WUI zones
- Rule
- LP-gas containers must sit within defensible space
- Exception
- Separate defensible space built just for tank
- Citation
- Fire Code Appendix M § M112.1
- Enforced by
- Bernalillo County Fire Dept. Fire Prevention Bureau
Summary
In Bernalillo County's Wildland-Urban Interface areas, LP-gas containers must sit within the property's defensible space, with an exception allowing a separate defensible space built just for the tank.
M112.1 Location of containers. LP-gas containers shall be located within the defensible space in accordance with the Bernalillo County Code. Exception: LP gas containers may be placed outside of defensible space when a separate defensible space is provided for the gas container.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 92).
Full Breakdown
Bernalillo County's Wildland Urban Interface Code amends Appendix M of the 2021 International Fire Code for the East Mountain area, Sandia foothills, and the Rio Grande Bosque plus 1,000 feet on each side. Section M112.1 requires LP-gas containers on any building or premises in those zones to sit inside the required defensible space, unless the owner clears a second, separate defensible space just for the tank. The Bernalillo County Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau enforces the underlying 2021 IFC, adopted at Bernalillo County Code § 34-74, which sets the actual tank-to-building distance and capacity limits. Outside these WUI-designated zones and inside Albuquerque, Los Ranchos, or Tijeras, this county rule does not apply.
Violations & Fines
Placing an LP-gas container outside the required defensible space in a Wildland-Urban Interface zone without a separate defensible space is a Fire Code violation the Fire Prevention Bureau can cite and order corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply if I live in Albuquerque?
What if my propane tank can't fit inside the defensible space?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bernalillo County
Compare Bernalillo County to another location·View the New Mexico fire regulations overview
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