Waterbury, CT Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)
Key Facts
- Scope
- Applies only within mapped flood hazard areas
- Elevation option
- Tank raised above BFE on concrete pad
- Anchoring option
- Tie-down straps preventing flotation
- Fill pipe requirement
- Extended above BFE with screw fill cap
- Citywide propane rule
- Not found in this code
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, § 153.99
Summary
Waterbury's code does not set citywide propane storage limits, but it does require any above-ground propane tank located in a mapped flood hazard area to be elevated above the base flood elevation or securely anchored, with the fill pipe extended above flood height and fitted with a sealed cap.
(M) Above-ground storage tanks. Above-ground storage tanks (oil, propane, and the like) which are located outside or inside of the structure must either be elevated above the base flood elevation (BFE) on a concrete pad; or be securely anchored with tie-down straps to prevent flotation or lateral movement, have the top of the fill pipe extended above the BFE, and have a screw fill cap that does not allow for the infiltration of flood water.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-8: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through September 8, 2025).
Full Breakdown
03. 20(M) requires an above-ground storage tank containing propane, oil or similar material, whether located inside or outside a structure, to either be elevated above the base flood elevation on a concrete pad, or be securely anchored with tie-down straps to prevent flotation or lateral movement during a flood. An anchored tank must also have the top of its fill pipe extended above the base flood elevation and fitted with a screw fill cap that keeps flood water from entering the tank. 20(I) separately requires heating, ventilation and other service equipment to be designed or located to keep water out during flooding.
Waterbury's general code, as retrieved for this review, does not contain a separate fire-prevention chapter provision setting citywide quantity, distance or placement limits for residential propane cylinders or LP-gas tanks outside the mapped flood zones; those technical fire-code requirements, if any exist, are set by the state Fire Safety Code rather than restated in the city's code of ordinances.
Violations & Fines
Failing to elevate or anchor an above-ground propane tank as required in a mapped flood hazard area is a violation of Chapter 153, punishable as a misdemeanor under § 153.99 and fined under the annual budget's fee schedule (§ 41.11) for both willful and non-willful violations, plus the city's costs and reasonable legal fees in the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Waterbury limit how much propane I can store at my house?
Do I need to anchor my propane tank in a Waterbury flood zone?
What happens if my flood-zone propane tank isn't anchored under Waterbury's code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waterbury
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