As used in this article:
"Hazardous conditions"
mean any conditions/installations determined to present a risk or danger to life or property by the county fire department or other fire department/district or Placer County building services division. An LPG installation which does not conform to the provisions of this article may serve as evidence of hazardous conditions.
"LPG"
means liquefied petroleum gas.
"LPG installation"
means a storage tank designed for the containment of liquefied petroleum gas for use by a customer for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes, together with appurtenant regulators, pipes, risers, gauges, and related equipment up to and including the outlet of the final pressure regulator. For purposes of this section, "LPG installation" means new installation, relocation of an existing tank, alteration and/or reconnection of service.
"NFPA 58"
means the 2010 Edition of NFPA 58 "Liquid Petroleum Gas Code," as may be amended from time to time and published by the National Fire Protection Association.
"Nonconforming LPG installation"
means any residential, commercial, or industrial LPG installation which does not comply with the requirements of Section 15.12.030 as of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this article.
"Permitting authority"
means the local fire department/district which serves the geographical location of the LPG installation. Pursuant to Chapter 38 of the California Fire Code, the permitting authority shall be responsible for permitting and inspection of a LPG installation.
"Swing-joint"
means a pipe connection in which two ninety (90) degree elbows are attached utilizing a schedule 80 nipple, and shall not be a street elbow configuration, allowing for movement of the adjoining pipes.
"Vendor"
means any person or business which sells, at retail, liquefied petroleum gas for residential, commercial, or industrial use.
(Ord. 5691-B § 2, 2012; Ord. 6336-B, 8/19/2025)
The provisions of this section shall apply to all LPG installations. Underground tank installation shall be in accordance with NFPA 58.
A. 
Two-Stage Regulator Required. Two-stage regulator systems shall be installed on all LPG Installations in accordance with NFPA 58 or the manufacturers' instructions. First-stage regulators shall be installed under the tank dome, or other protective cover as approved by the permitting authority.
B. 
Riser Piping and Change of Direction. The riser from the underground piping shall be schedule 80 rigid piping or approved/listed materials/products for LPG installations or as per NFPA 58, but shall not include schedule 40 piping except as provided in subsection C, and shall be located not more than three inches horizontally from the walls of the tank. Swing joints, or products/materials approved by the permitting authority, shall be installed at all rigid piping changes of direction including at both the tank riser and facility riser where extending from the underground pipe. Any approved/listed material or product shall be installed per the manufacturer's installation instructions/listing.
C. 
Second-Stage Regulator. The second-stage regulator, unless an integral regulator is approved under the tank dome by the permitting authority, and riser pipe shall be installed on the gable end of the building, under an approved protective cover, and as close as practicable to the building wall avoiding areas subject to snow and ice shedding. Where infeasible due to structural or topographical constraints, the riser and regulator may be installed in a designed recess with covers or as approved by the permitting authority. This riser pipe may be an approved/listed material of any type, including schedule 40 pipe, if properly protected and approved by the permitting authority.
An approved gas shutoff valve shall be installed immediately upstream of the second-stage regulator or where absent the second-stage regulator at the facility riser, and an identifier shall be installed on the structure in a visible location and located as high as practicable directly above the shutoff valve.
D. 
Hard Surfaces. The riser pipes for the underground piping shall not be embedded in concrete, asphalt, or other hard surfaces unless the piping is installed per the California Mechanical Code for such installations. Concrete, asphalt, or other hard surfaces placed around such riser shall be held back at least three inches from all sides of the pipe to allow for movement.
E. 
LPG Installation Design Plot Plan. At the time of application by any person for new installation, relocation of an existing tank or alteration of a LPG system, the applicant shall submit four copies of a LPG installation plot plan ("LPG plot plan") to the permitting authority and a separate copy to the county building services division.
The LPG plot plan shall include, but not be limited to:
1. 
The tank location showing distance to property boundary lines, structures, easements, public rights-of-way, and to the edge of pavement or other identifying marks;
2. 
Tank capacity in U. S. gallons;
3. 
Location of the underground pipe, riser pipe, regulator, and shut-off valve at the building;
4. 
An outline of all existing/proposed buildings on the lot and a depiction of the ridge lines of all buildings to determine the potential snow and ice shedding.
The LPG plot plan may be included on the normal site plan submitted with new construction, but must contain the stamp of approval of the permitting authority at the time of submission to the county building services division.
LPG installation shall not commence until the LPG plot plan has been affixed with a stamp of approval by the permitting authority. The applicant shall be responsible for providing the county building services division with a copy of the stamp approved copy of the plan.
F. 
Snow Stakes. LPG tanks, above and below ground, shall be marked by the use of snow stakes. Such stakes shall be of sufficient height to rise above the anticipated snow depth. Snow stakes shall be yellow in color and will be placed on the side of the tank opposite the riser for above ground tanks; underground tank stakes shall be placed as close as reasonably possible to the tank or as approved by the permitting authority. The top six inches of the snow stake shall be painted in the supplier's designated color as determined by the permitting authority; underground tank stakes shall be marked "UG" in this same top six inches. The side of the stake indicating the tank location will be painted a minimum of 18 inches and will be opposite the shutoff valve on the propane storage tank. The stake shall additionally be marked "red" beginning at the top of the tank and for 12 continuous inches above the tank as tank warning indicator, or as may be approved by the permitting authority. Snow stakes shall be installed no later than November 1st of each year and shall remain in place continuously.
Installation and maintenance of these snow stakes is the joint responsibility of the LPG vendor and LPG user.
G. 
No Installation Below First Floor or Below Grade. Propane appliances shall not be permitted in any new installation below the first floor level or below grade unless specifically designed by an engineer for such installations and approved by the permitting authority.
H. 
Tank Supports. Tank supports shall be in accordance with NFPA 58 or as approved by the permitting authority. If saddles are used there shall be three layers of tar paper, or equivalent, between the saddle and tank or in accordance with NFPA 58.
I. 
Emergency Mapping. Changes to the installation location shall require the submittal of a copy of the LPG as-built plot plan per subsection E. Such as-built site plan shall be submitted to the fire protection agency serving the property.
J. 
Final Inspection. Final inspection and final sign-off of the LPG installation is required before the vendor is authorized to fill the tank. Notice of final inspection and sign-off must be received by the county building services division prior to issuance of any building permits for new construction or permits issued pursuant to Section 15.12.040.
(Ord. 5691-B § 2, 2012)
All existing installations shall conform to the requirements of this article. Upon receipt of a building permit application for additions, conversions or remodels of existing residential or commercial structure(s) on property falling under Section 15.12.020, the building services division shall require the applicant to identify any existing LPG installation. If an existing LPG installation is identified, the building services division shall forward the application to the applicable permitting authority for verification of compliance with Section 15.12.030. The building services division is authorized to hold said building permit application and shall not issue the permit until notice of compliance with Section 15.12.030 is received from the permitting authority. If said notice indicates the existing LPG installation is deemed a nonconforming LPG installation, the LPG installation must be rendered in full compliance with Section 15.12.030 prior to issuance of the building permit. The building services division is authorized to hold said building permit application until notice from the permitting authority of full compliance with Section 15.12.030. It shall be the building permit applicant's responsibility to obtain a letter of compliance from the permitting authority. Any such nonconforming LPG system shall not be serviced or refueled until such time the system is in full compliance with Section 15.12.030 and a letter of compliance has been issued by the permitting authority.
(Ord. 5691-B § 2, 2012)
Prior to reconnection by any vendor of an existing LPG installation, said vendor shall obtain written verification from the permitting authority of compliance with Section 15.12.030. Until such time a compliance notice is received, the vendor is prohibited from reconnecting the service or filling the tank.
(Ord. 5691-B § 2, 2012)
A. 
Enforcement Authority.
1. 
Any local fire district/department which adopts the provisions of this article into its own Fire Code or adopts a separate ordinance that incorporates the provisions of this article shall become the enforcement authority upon the effective date of adoption of the district's regulation. Local fire districts/departments implementing regulations are not limited to the provisions outlined in this article and may adopt additional penalty or enforcement mechanisms as permitted by law.
2. 
County Chief Building Official. Pursuant to Article 15.04, Section 15.04.123 of Placer County Code, the county chief building official has the authority to withhold issuance of a building permit if he or she does not have evidence of compliance with all other applicable codes, including compliance with Chapter 38 of the California Fire Code (Liquefied Petroleum Gases). The county chief building official is hereby authorized to withhold issuance of building permits for new construction or construction activities outlined in Section 15.12.040 for properties falling under Section 15.12.020 until written evidence of compliance with this article is presented to him or her by the building permit applicant. Evidence of compliance shall be in the written format agreed to between the chief building official and each permitting authority.
B. 
Authority to Disconnect. The enforcement authority or the serving vendor is authorized to disconnect or order the disconnection of any gas piping or appliance, or both, that does not conform to the requirements of Chapter 38 of the California Fire Code or Chapter 13 of the California Mechanical Code or this article. When such disconnection is determined necessary, notice shall be sent to the property owner identifying the disconnection date together with the reasons thereof and such gas piping and/or appliance shall be tagged as such. Said notice shall provide a minimum 30 day time period during which the property owner may correct the identified problems and shall inform the property owner that failure to correct within the designated period of time shall result in a disconnection without further notice or warning. If an enforcement authority or permitting authority determines that hazardous conditions exist that present an immediate or imminent risk or danger to life or property, the enforcement authority is authorized to immediately disconnect said gas piping or appliance by serving notice with the reasons for immediate disconnection on the property owner and such gas piping and/or appliance shall be tagged as such.
C. 
It is unlawful for a vendor to provide service to a LPG installation which does not comply with the provisions of this article.
(Ord. 5691-B § 2, 2012)
Each vendor of LPG shall, prior to the connection or reconnection of service, provide a written document to the user containing safety instructions and containing emergency instructions for the use of such LPG installation. Each such vendor shall also provide a notice to be posted on the user's premises at a prominent location.
(Ord. 5691-B § 2, 2012)
An annual safety inspection shall be made by the LPG vendor of outside regulators, valves, meters, tanks, and piping for safe operating conditions and compliance with this article at least once each year. The LPG vendor shall affix a sticker or tag, in a form approved by the permitting authority, to the tank, riser piping, main electrical service, or in a conspicuous location, as may be approved by the permitting authority, indicating the tank type, date of inspection, inspector name, and company that performed the inspection.
(Ord. 5691-B § 2, 2012)