Parker, CO Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)

Chapter 11.04, the Parker Fire Protection Code, adopts the 2021 International Fire Code by reference under Section 7.7 of the Town's Home Rule Charter, with the South Metro Fire Rescue Fire Protection District's Chief serving as the Fire Code Official who administers and enforces it under Section 11.04.040. Section 11.04.050 lists the Town Council's local amendments to that model code, and amendment (27) adds Town-specific limits to IFC Section 6104.2, Maximum capacity within established limits. For business and commercial zones, bulk liquefied petroleum gas storage is restricted to protect congested areas, and the aggregate capacity of any one installation cannot exceed 2,000 gallons of water capacity, though the Fire Code Official can adjust that limit after weighing topography, occupancy, tank capacity and the private fire protection available on site.

For residential lots, the amendment sets a flat cap: storage and use of propane in cylinders designed to hold more than 40 pounds is prohibited outright, and so is any combination of smaller cylinders whose aggregate capacity exceeds 150 pounds. A homeowner can keep several standard 20-pound barbecue-size cylinders on a residential lot, but cannot bring in a single tank rated above 40 pounds or stockpile enough smaller cylinders to cross the 150-pound aggregate ceiling. The limit applies Town-wide to any residential lot, not just a particular zoning district, and sits alongside the Chapter 13.09 zoning and Chapter 6.06 open-burning rules that separately govern where propane appliances and open flames can be used outdoors.