As the old adage goes, dig the well before you are thirsty.  With soaring gas prices and an unstable gas market, you might start thinking about stockpiling a dozen or so gallons of gas in the event the country experiences a gas shortage.  But, you live in an apartment.   You lack a garage or detached storage space.  You wonder: Can I store gas in my apartment unit?

No, you cannot store gasoline inside your apartment unit.  Storing fuel inside encourages spark or flame in the event fuel vapor escapes from the fuel container.  The fuel vapor could ignite and flash back into the container, causing a flame explosion that could burn down the entire building.   In fact, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission advises against storing fuel inside a, “house, basement, or near sources of ignition…”  Many city and county fire codes and other safety codes prohibit this practice as well.  For instance, Section 5704 of the International Fire Code, adopted by many cities throughout California, prohibits storing fuel inside an apartment except where compliance with the IFC is maintained.  International Fire Code § 5704.  Similarly, the California Fire Code, regulates the storage of fuel, including indoors.  California Fire Code § 5704.  The California Fire Code permits the storage of flammable and combustible liquids used for maintenance and operating equipment.  California Fire Code § 5704.3.4.4.  But, it regulates them.  Id.  For instance, tenants may only store small quantities (fewer than ten (10) gallons), in, “private garages or other approved locations.”  California Fire Code § 5704.3.4.4.  While not a categorical ban on indoor storage, most California tenants will not be able to store fuel in their apartment units.

In our view, a more prudent approach is to simply purchase a couple of fuel containers and keep them in your unit without any liquid inside (You might even refrain from removing the plastic wrap you purchased them with, if applicable).  In the event you believe a gas, or other fuel, shortage is imminent, you can then decide whether it is appropriate to purchase and store gas.  In the event the government declares a state of emergency, your landlord and property manager are unlikely to enforce the law or your lease provision that likely prohibits storing fuel indoors.  Although it is unsafe, if you truly need gas during the emergency, you will likely be able to do so for a few days.

Absent exigent circumstances brought about by an actual emergency, you cannot store gasoline inside your apartment unit.