Imperial County, CA Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)

Imperial County does not appear to have a stand-alone propane-storage ordinance; instead the Imperial County Fire Department's Fire Prevention Bureau enforces the California Fire Code, NFPA standards, Title 19 of the state code and the Health and Safety Code, which together set liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) requirements. The California Fire Code (Chapter 61) and NFPA 58, the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code, govern tank placement, separation distances, container size, overfill protection and protection from vehicle impact. Distances depend on tank capacity: small consumer tanks have minimal setbacks, while larger above-ground containers must be set back farther from buildings, property lines and ignition sources. Installation of a permanent propane tank generally requires a permit and inspection. Where a property sits in a fire-hazard area, California defensible-space guidance (tied to Public Resources Code 4291) directs that LPG tanks and outbuildings be kept clear of flammable vegetation, with roughly 10 feet of clearance to bare mineral soil; because Imperial County has very little fire-hazard wildland (about 1,780 Moderate State Responsibility Area acres and no High or Very High zones), that vegetation-clearance concern is limited, but the keep-vegetation-away principle still applies near tanks. Always confirm the current Fire Code edition and permit requirements with the county Fire Department before installing or relocating a tank.