This webpage is intended to address the most common questions asked regarding the installation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) appliances, gas lines, and tanks.

What agency will review the installation of LPG appliances, gas lines, and tanks?

The State Building Codes Division grants authority to Lane County to review gas lines and appliances downstream of the first stage regulator.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal has authority over the installation and placement of LPG tanks. However, there are some exceptions which are listed in ORS 480.445(3).

What are the licensing requirements for installing LPG appliances, gas lines, and tanks?

In the State of Oregon, the installation of LPG-powered appliances and gas lines must be performed by a person with either a Fitter license, a Journeyman plumber license, or a Boiler and Pressure Vessel license. 

Only people with a Master Fitter license from the Oregon State Fire Marshal can install LPG tanks and make the final connection between tanks and gas lines. You can find a list of contractors with fitter licenses on the Oregon State Fire Marshall website.

Homeowners are NOT exempt from the license requirements.

What are the trench depths required for underground gas piping?

For gas lines to portable outdoor appliances such as grills and heaters, the minimum trench depth is eight (8) inches below grade. 

For gas lines to generators and/or appliances inside of a building, the minimum trench depth is eighteen (18) inches below grade. 

For more information about trenching requirements, please see our Trenching for Utilities page.

What LPG-powered appliances are exempt from permits?

In general, the installation of portable appliances, such as grills and heaters, are exempt from permits.

For a full list of permit-exempt appliances, please see our Residential Work Exempt from Building Permits page for residential projects and, for commercial projects, please see our Commercial Work Exempt from Building Permits page.

Please note that the installation of LPG tanks and piping still requires permitting, even if they are only to be used for portable appliances. 

What inspections are required for LPG appliances and gas lines?

The type of inspections and the number of inspections can vary depending on the scope of the project. In general, these are the inspections that will happen for the installation of LPG appliances and gas lines:

• Underground gas
• Gas Piping/Pressure Test
• Underfloor Mechanical
• Rough Mechanical
• Final Mechanical

What distance should a tank be from a building?

The distance between a tank and a building is based on many factors, but in general, these setback guidelines should be followed:

• Less than 125 gallons = 5 feet
• 125 to 500 gallons = 10 feet
• 501 to 2000 gallons = 25 feet

It is also recommended that tanks be kept at least 10 feet away from combustible materials like wood, garbage, and brush.

Can tanks be concealed, buried, or painted?

The types of structure that can be used to conceal a tank are listed in the NFPA 58 6.5.4.1.  

Tanks may be buried. Buried tanks will still need to be the required distances from buildings and may require additional reviews due to the increased amount of soil disturbance.

For information on how tanks should be buried, refer to NFPA 58 6.8.7, 6.19 and Annex K.

Tanks cannot be painted as thick or dark paint can cause the tank to absorb heat which results in increased tank pressure.

What are the requirements for appliances, gas lines, and tanks that are placed in the floodplain?

If a tank is installed in the floodplain, the tank must be securely anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement from hydrostatic (water pressure) and hydrodynamic (water current) forces. Please see NFPA 58, ORSC 322.2.4, and Lane Code for more information.

Gas regulators and fuel line penetrations into a building should be elevated above the base flood elevation to prevent contamination.