Commercial and utility energy storage systems in California
Which codes apply? In California, commercial and utility energy storage systems fall under the 2023 NEC, the 2024 IFC, the 2024 IBC, and the 2023 NFPA 855.
Codes that reach commercial and utility energy storage systems
The edition California enforces for each code that governs the product, and the part of the code that does.
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NECNational Electrical CodeThe California NEC record2023 NECVerified
in force since Jan 1, 2026
Where it reaches the product. Article 706, with 705 for the interconnection.
2025 California Electrical Code · Cal. Code Regs., tit. 24, pt. 3
The 2026 NEC is in development for January 1, 2029.
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IFCInternational Fire CodeThe California IFC record2024 IFCVerified
in force since Jan 1, 2026
Where it reaches the product. Chapter 12, section 1207, and the operational permit.
2025 California Fire Code · Cal. Code Regs., tit. 24, pt. 9
The 2027 IFC is in development for January 1, 2029.
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IBCInternational Building CodeThe California IBC record2024 IBCVerified
in force since Jan 1, 2026
Where it reaches the product. Occupancy, construction type, and separation for the building that holds the system.
2025 California Building Code · Cal. Code Regs., tit. 24, pt. 2
The 2027 IBC is in development for January 1, 2029.
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NFPA 855NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage SystemsThe California NFPA 855 record2023 NFPA 855Verified
in force since Jan 1, 2026 · Adopted directly
Where it reaches the product. The whole standard: siting, size and separation, fire control, explosion control, and commissioning.
2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9), based on the 2024 IFC · Cal. Code Regs. tit. 24, pt. 9
The 2026 NFPA 855 is adopted, not yet in force for July 1, 2027.
California laws that name commercial and utility energy storage systems
On the site: 27 laws, rules, orders, and bills, newest first.
| Law or rule | Kind | Stage | Date | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Fire Marshal 2025 Intervening Cycle proposal for Part 9 | Code amendment | VerifiedEnacted, not yet in force | Jul 1, 2027 | Adopts the most recent edition of NFPA 855 into the Fire Code's storage system rules, citing SB 283. Heard by the Building Standards Commission Aug 25 to 27, 2026; takes effect Jul 1, 2027. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| AB 1813 | Bill | PartialDid not pass | Sep 30, 2026 | Concerned a customer renewable energy subscription program. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| AB 2493 | Bill | PartialIn force | Sep 30, 2026 | Covers utility interconnection and a transmission development monitor at the Public Utilities Commission. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| AB 2369 | Bill | PartialDid not pass | Sep 27, 2026 | Concerned energy storage and energy-only resources. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| SB 1295 | Bill | PartialDid not pass | Aug 13, 2026 | Proposed directing regulators to consider procurement strategies for distributed storage, amend storage tariffs by Jan 1, 2028, and let utilities earn returns on storage. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| 2025 California Electrical Code | Code amendment | PartialIn force | Jan 1, 2026 | Sets the statewide electrical code, with California amendments, effective Jan 1, 2026. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| 2025 California Energy Code | Code amendment | PartialIn force | Jan 1, 2026 | Requires solar on new single-family, multifamily, and nonresidential buildings. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| 2025 California Fire Code | Code amendment | PartialIn force | Jan 1, 2026 | Applies State Fire Marshal changes to Chapters 3, 12, and 80 of the California Fire Code to battery facilities from Jan 1, 2026. The changes were adopted Mar 7, 2025 and draw on the 2023 edition of NFPA 855. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| AB 1285 | Bill | PartialIn force | Jan 1, 2026 | Covers State Fire Marshal guidance for lithium-ion battery facilities (Chapter 637, Statutes of 2025). Source (opens in a new tab) |
| SB 283 | Bill | PartialIn force | Jan 1, 2026 | Requires battery storage developers to consult local fire authorities before applying and to pass a local fire safety inspection before operating. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| CPUC Decision D.25-12-003 | Commission order | PartialIn force | Dec 4, 2025 | Closes ratepayer-funded self-generation incentives to new applications after Dec 30, 2025 and returns unallocated funds to ratepayers. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| AB 615 | Bill | PartialDid not pass | Oct 6, 2025 | Proposed requiring storage projects using state opt-in permitting to file emergency response and action plans, with local review of NFPA 855 setbacks. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| AB 1408 | Bill | PartialDid not pass | Oct 3, 2025 | Proposed requiring utilities and the grid operator to evaluate and integrate surplus interconnection capacity on the transmission system. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| CPUC Rulemaking R.25-08-004 | Commission order | VerifiedPending | Aug 20, 2025 | Studies refinements to Rule 21 interconnection rules for distributed energy resources at the large and small utilities. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| CPUC Resolution ESRB-13 | Commission order | PartialIn force | Mar 13, 2025 | Requires energy storage owners to meet maintenance, operation, logbook, emergency planning, and incident reporting standards under General Order 167-C. Full requirements apply at 50 MW and above, and customer-sited storage is excluded. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| Distributed Electricity Backup Assets Program Guidelines | Program rule | PartialIn force | Oct 18, 2023 | Funds incentives for cleaner and more efficient distributed energy assets that provide on-call emergency supply or load reduction during extreme events. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| CPUC Emergency Load Reduction Program | Program rule | PartialIn force | May 1, 2021 | Funds payments of $2 per kWh for nonresidential load reduction during grid emergencies, through 2027. Battery aggregators and exporting solar-plus-storage customers may take part. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| 16 CCR Secs. 810, 832.10, and 832.46 | Rule | PartialIn force | – | Allows electrical contractors to install battery storage systems. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| 2028 Energy Code rulemaking | Code amendment | VerifiedPending | – | Studies updates to the Energy Code, which sets solar and battery requirements for new buildings. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| 22 CCR Sec. 66261.9 and Div. 4.5, Ch. 23 | Rule | PartialIn force | – | Allows solar modules, and batteries that are hazardous waste, to be managed as universal waste under simpler handling rules. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| AB 1104 | Bill | PartialIn force | – | Allows net-metered solar and paired storage projects to keep tariff eligibility after a contractor's wage violation once workers are repaid and penalties paid. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| AB 205 | Statute | PartialIn force | – | Allows storage projects of 200 MWh or more to seek state energy commission certification in lieu of local permits. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| AB 303 | Bill | PartialDid not pass | – | Proposed barring approval of projects with 200 MWh or more of battery storage within 3,200 feet of sensitive receptors or on sensitive sites. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| AB 434 | Bill | PartialDid not pass | – | Proposed removing battery storage from the state opt-in permitting process and barring new battery facility approvals until Jan 1, 2028, pending fire standards. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| Electric Rule 21 | Tariff | PartialIn force | – | Requires customers installing generation or storage on their premises to meet the large utilities' interconnection, operating, and metering requirements. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| SB 1383 | Statute | PartialIn force | – | Requires energy storage systems, including third-party-owned systems, to meet the commission's operation and maintenance standards, and expands commission audits and inspections of storage facilities. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| SB 38 | Statute | PartialIn force | – | Requires each battery energy storage facility in the state to have an emergency response plan and an emergency action plan covering its premises. Source (opens in a new tab) |
Every California law on commercial and utility energy storage systems, with filters
For information only. Your local building or fire official decides which code applies. We check state records often but can miss a recent change, so confirm with your official before you design, permit, or install. Terms of use