Santa Maria, CA Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)

Liquefied petroleum gas (LP-gas, propane) storage in the unincorporated county is regulated through the adopted California Fire Code Chapter 61, which incorporates the national standard NFPA 58. California Fire Code section 6101.1 requires that the storage, handling, and transportation of LP-gas, and the installation of LP-gas equipment, comply with Chapter 61 and NFPA 58. Section 6109 covers the storage of portable LP-gas containers (those of 1,000 pounds water capacity or less). Quantity and separation limits apply by occupancy: for example, section 6109.10 limits storage in buildings not open to the public to a water capacity of 735 pounds (about 300 pounds of LP-gas), and additional storage locations on the same floor must be separated by not less than 300 feet, with multiple manifolds separated by at least 20 feet (section 6109). Required separation distances from stored containers to buildings, property lines, and ignition sources are set by Table 6109.12. A critical residential rule sits in the open-flame cooking provisions: under California Fire Code section 308.1.4, LP-gas burners with a container water capacity greater than 2.5 pounds (about 1 pound of propane) shall not be operated or located on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction, with exceptions for one- and two-family dwellings and sprinklered buildings. For larger fixed tanks (typical at rural homes), NFPA 58 setback distances from the tank to structures and property lines apply based on tank capacity. Confirm exact requirements and any permit thresholds with Santa Barbara County Fire.