Plumas County Municipal Code Art. 6 Storage of Liquids and Explosives

Except for wholesale sales and distribution, all bulk storage, defined as 1,000 gallons or more, of inflammable liquids, liquid petroleum gases, explosives, gasoline, and lubricating and fuel oil for sale, is unlawful aboveground unless otherwise provided by state or county law.

Such substances may be stored above ground in a concrete vaulted steel tank with secondary containment, not to exceed 5,000 gallons, or at County airports in tanks with secondary containment exceeding 5,000 gallons, if such tanks comply with the Uniform Fire Code; provided that such tanks and their installation shall be subject to the prior approval of the local fire district or, if none, the County Fire Warden.

(§ 61604, P.C.O.C., as added by Ord. 752, as amended by § 1, Ord. 77-206, eff. July 7, 1977, as renumbered by § 1, Ord. 84-593, eff. January 3, 1985, as amended by § 1, Ord. 88-685, eff. February 4, 1988, § 1, Ord. 89-718, eff. September 19, 1989, and Ord. 93-821, eff. January 13, 1994)

(a) Noncommercial properties smaller than one-half (½) acre shall not have aboveground storage of gasoline.

(b) Noncommercial properties of one-half (½) acre and larger will be permitted to have aboveground storage of gasoline so long as the containers are no closer than thirty-five (35') feet from a habitable structure.

(c) It shall be lawful for gasoline of not more than five (5) gallons to be kept in nonhabitable structures provided such gasoline is stored in safety containers approved by the local enforcement officers.

(d) Gasoline storage on residentially zoned property shall be in compliance on or before December 7, 1977; provided, however, existing facilities shall be lawful so long as they remain under current ownership and meet with the approval of the local enforcement officers.

(§ 2, Ord. 77-206, eff. July 7, 1977, as renumbered by § 1, Ord. 84-593, eff. January 3, 1985)

All underground tanks, for any use whatsoever, shall be located not closer to the property line than the greatest depth to the bottom of the tank.

(a) Tanks shall be of steel-welded construction with the stamp or label of the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., API Monogram, or ASME Code stamp on and permanently affixed to the tank.

(b) Excavations of underground storage tanks shall be made with due care to avoid the undermining of foundations of existing structures. Underground tanks shall be set on firm ground with noncorrosive, inert materials, such as sand, earth, or gravel, surrounding the tank and well tamped in place.

Tanks shall be covered with a minimum of two (2') feet of earth or shall be covered with not less than one foot of earth on top of which shall be placed a slab of concrete not less than four (4") inches thick, or asphalt not less than four (4") inches thick.

When concrete or asphalt is used as part of the protection, the concrete or asphalt shall extend at least one foot horizontally beyond the outline of the tank in all directions.

(c) Vent pipes from tanks shall be so located that the discharge point is outside of buildings, higher than the fill pipe opening, and not less than ten (10') feet above the ground level and shall be so located that vapors will not enter building openings or be trapped under the eaves of any structure. Vent pipes shall be not less than one inch in diameter.

(d) Fill pipe and pump pipe connections for all tank openings shall be vapor or liquid tight. Openings for manual gauging, if independent of the fill pipe, shall be provided a liquid-tight cap or cover.

(§ 2, Ord. 77-206, eff. July 7, 1977, as renumbered by § 1, Ord. 84-593, eff. January 3, 1985)

All oil distributors shall advise the pertinent local enforcement officers of any change of ownership of which they are aware.

(§ 2, Ord. 77-206, eff. July 7, 1977, as renumbered by § 1, Ord. 84-593, eff. January 3, 1985)

The local officers designated to enforce the rules and regulations of the State as well as those of the County are as follows:

(a) Fire District Chiefs or appointees thereof;

(b) Department of Forestry Officers of the State; and

(c) United States Forest Service Officials.

(§ 2, Ord. 77-206, eff. July 7, 1977, as renumbered by § 1, Ord. 84-593, eff. January 3, 1985)