Cut and Stacked Firewood

Dropping Temperatures Increase Firewood and Propane Gas Sales

Author: Brenda Ouwerkerk / Chief Deputy Agricultural Commissioner
Date: 11/15/2017 8:45:42 AM

Year after year, thousands of cords of firewood, along with thousands of gallons of propane gas are purchased in the county, how are you guaranteed you are getting what you are paying for?


As cold weather quickly approaches many county residents find themselves preparing for the approaching winter conditions.   Residents begin to split, gather and order firewood for delivery.  Additionally, some residents and businesses find themselves scheduling the delivery of Liquified Propane Gas (LPG) to fill tanks at home.

The Department’s Weights and Measures staff want to make sure customers are informed of what they are entitled to when purchasing firewood or LPG gas.  Firewood must be sold based on the “cord,” or 128 cubic feet of neatly stowed and stacked wood.  Sellers of firewood are required to provide customers a receipt listing the name and address of the seller, the date delivered, the quantity delivered in units of the cord, and the price of the purchase. 

When Liquified Propane Gas (LPG) is sold by volume, as in the case of home deliveries, meters must have passed inspection and received certification by the Department of Weights and Measures.  At a minimum, sellers are required to provide customers a receipt with the quantity delivered in units of gallons or liters.  In cases of printed receipts from a computing system, customer receipts must have total volume of the delivery, price per unit, and total price charged.

Contact the County of San Luis Obispo Department of Agriculture / Weights and Measures at 805-781-5910 for concerns, complaints, or questions regarding inspections, meter certification, or required invoice information.