Where should you store propane tanks?
Figures checked Nov. 10, 2026
Store propane cylinders outdoors. Utah's State Fire Marshal says to never store a cylinder inside a house, building or garage, and never in the passenger space or living area of a vehicle, RV or camper. For where a big tank can sit, and how far from the house, check with your propane supplier or fire marshal.
| Place | What the official sources say |
|---|---|
| Inside the house | Never store a cylinder there |
| Garage, shed or other building | Never store a cylinder inside a building or a garage |
| Car, RV or camper living space | Never use, store or carry cylinders there, full or empty |
| Big tank near the house | Depends on tank size and local code: ask your propane supplier or fire marshal |
Where to store propane tanks
The official line is short. Utah's State Fire Marshal puts it this way:
- Keep propane cylinders outdoors. Utah State Fire Marshal (Official): "Never store a cylinder inside a house, building, or a garage." Source(opens in a new tab)
So the place for grill cylinders and other portable tanks is outdoors. Follow the labels on the cylinder and on the appliance too.
Can you store propane tanks in a garage?
No. The same line names a garage alongside a house or any other building, and it makes no exception for spare cylinders.
A shed is a building too. If you're unsure whether a particular structure counts, ask your local fire marshal before you keep a cylinder there.
Propane tanks in a car, RV or camper
Utah's State Fire Marshal also says: “Never use, store, or transport full or empty cylinders in the passenger space or living area of your vehicle, RV, or camper.”
If an RV or camper has its own built-in propane system, ask the maker or a certified propane technician how it should be used and serviced.
How far should a propane tank be from a house?
For big tanks, the distance from the house depends on the tank's size and on local code. We don't give a figure, because it isn't the same everywhere.
Check with your propane supplier or fire marshal, and have tanks and lines installed by a certified propane technician.
Using cylinders: outdoor-only appliances
Storage is one rule; use is another. Patio heaters, grills, camp stoves and other outdoor-only heaters stay outdoors, even for a short time.
- Outdoor-only heaters, grills and stoves stay outdoors. Mississippi State University Extension (Official), on outdoor-use-only heaters: "Never use them inside, even temporarily." Source(opens in a new tab)
Old and out-of-date cylinders
A cylinder that is past its requalification date must not be refilled. Ask your propane supplier to check the date stamp, and see does propane go bad? for how the dates work.
Questions people ask
Can I keep a propane tank in my garage?
No. Utah's State Fire Marshal says to never store a cylinder inside a house, building or garage.
Can I store a propane tank in a shed?
A shed is a building, and the official line says never inside a building. Ask your local fire marshal if you're unsure about a structure.
How far should a propane tank be from the house?
It depends on the tank's size and local code. Check with your propane supplier or fire marshal.
Can I leave an empty propane tank in my car?
Utah's State Fire Marshal says never to use, store or carry full or empty cylinders in a vehicle's passenger space or living area.