Loudoun County, VA Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)
Key Facts
- No-permit threshold
- 500 gal water capacity, Group R-3
- Permit fee above threshold
- $90 (0-499 gal: $0)
- Storage clearance, 2,500 lb or less
- 0 ft to building, 5 ft to lot line
- Storage clearance, over 10,000 lb
- 25 ft to building and lot line
- Revoked-permit removal window
- 24 hours (§ 3801.2.2)
- Enforcing agency
- Loudoun County Fire Marshal
- Coverage
- Unincorporated Loudoun County only
Summary
Loudoun County's Fire Prevention Operational Permit Fee Schedule sets the residential propane threshold at 500 gallons water capacity: a single container that size or smaller serving a one- or two-family (Group R-3) home needs no Fire Marshal permit. Anything larger, or a second container pushing the property over that line, triggers a $90 operational permit under Fire Prevention Code § 3801.2.
LP-gas. An operational permit is required for: 1. Storage and use of LP-gas. ... Exception: An operational permit is not required for individual containers a 500-gallon (1893 L) water capacity or less serving occupancies in Group R-3. 2. Operation of cargo tankers that transport LP-gas.
Full Breakdown
11, requires an operational permit for the storage and use of LP-gas, but carves out an exception for individual containers of 500-gallon water capacity or less serving occupancies in Group R-3, the residential classification covering single-family and two-family homes. Below that size, a homeowner's propane tank for a grill, generator, pool heater or whole-house system needs no fire-code permit at all; the fee schedule prices storage above 0-499 gallons at $0 and jumps to a $90 permit fee once a container exceeds 500 gallons. 12 (up to 25 feet at over 10,000 pounds stored).
2 requires the distributor to remove all containers from the site within 24 hours of notification, and the Fire Marshal can have cylinders removed by another distributor at the original distributor's cost if that deadline is missed. This chapter governs unincorporated Loudoun County; Leesburg, Purcellville, Hamilton, Middleburg, Round Hill, Hillsboro and Lovettsville enforce their own town fire codes for LP-gas storage within town limits.
Violations & Fines
Storing LP-gas without the required operational permit, or failing to maintain the required clearances, is a violation of the Loudoun County Fire Prevention Code and constitutes a Class 1 misdemeanor under § 1602.05, punishable per § 202.08(b) by up to $2,500 in fines, up to 12 months in jail, or both, per offense. The Fire Marshal enforces the permit and clearance requirements and can order noncompliant containers removed; a distributor who misses the 24-hour removal window after permit revocation under § 3801.2.2 can be billed for third-party removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a propane tank at my Loudoun County house?
How far from my house can a large propane tank be stored?
What happens if my LP-gas distributor's permit is revoked?
Does the county propane permit rule apply inside Leesburg?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Loudoun County
Compare Loudoun County to another location·View the Virginia fire regulations overview
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