Codes of Record

What applies to my job?

Pick the state and the product you build, install, or inspect. The card below answers from each state’s own record.

Residential energy storage systems in California

Which codes apply? In California, residential energy storage systems fall under the 2023 NEC, the 2024 IRC, the 2024 IFC, and the 2023 NFPA 855.

Wall or floor units at a one- or two-family home, about 5 to 20 kWh each, up to 80 kWh in a garage or outdoors. State record read Oct 24, 2026. Data as of Oct 26, 2026.

Codes that reach residential energy storage systems

The edition California enforces for each code that governs the product, and the part of the code that does.

  1. NECNational Electrical Code
    2023 NECVerified

    in force since Jan 1, 2026

    Where it reaches the product. Article 706, energy storage systems, with 705 for the interconnection and 710 for stand-alone operation.

    2025 California Electrical Code · Cal. Code Regs., tit. 24, pt. 3

    The 2026 NEC is in development for January 1, 2029.

    The California NEC record
  2. IRCInternational Residential Code
    2024 IRCVerified

    in force since Jan 1, 2026

    Where it reaches the product. Section R328, stationary storage battery systems in dwellings.

    2025 California Residential Code · Cal. Code Regs., tit. 24, pt. 2.5

    The 2027 IRC is in development for January 1, 2029.

    The California IRC record
  3. IFCInternational Fire Code
    2024 IFCVerified

    in force since Jan 1, 2026

    Where it reaches the product. Chapter 12, energy systems, section 1207, which also points to NFPA 855.

    2025 California Fire Code · Cal. Code Regs., tit. 24, pt. 9

    The 2027 IFC is in development for January 1, 2029.

    The California IFC record
  4. NFPA 855NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems
    2023 NFPA 855Verified

    in force since Jan 1, 2026 · Adopted directly

    Where it reaches the product. Chapter 15, one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses.

    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.

    The California NFPA 855 record

California laws that name residential energy storage systems

On the site: 19 laws, rules, orders, and bills, newest first.

Law or ruleKindStageDateWhat it does
State Fire Marshal 2025 Intervening Cycle proposal for Part 9State Fire Marshal initial statement of reasons, 2025 Intervening CycleCode amendmentVerifiedEnacted, not yet in forceJul 1, 2027Adopts 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)
SB 913Legislative update dated Sep 30, 2026BillPartialIn forceSep 30, 2026Covers resource adequacy for aggregated distributed energy resources. Source (opens in a new tab)
SB 1295Analysis of Apr 9, 2026 version, hearing Apr 21, 2026BillPartialDid not passAug 13, 2026Proposed 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)
CEC Demand Side Grid Support Program GuidelinesDocket entry for the guidelinesProgram rulePartialIn forceApr 27, 2026Pays customers who cut net load during extreme grid events. Source (opens in a new tab)
SMUD Engineering Specification T014SMUD Engineering Specification T014, Revision 7, dated Feb 19, 2026RulePartialIn forceFeb 19, 2026Allows only utility-approved meter socket adapters, on single-meter residential services of 200 amps or less, with exports capped at 20 kW. Source (opens in a new tab)
2025 California Electrical CodeTitle 24 codes pageCode amendmentPartialIn forceJan 1, 2026Sets the statewide electrical code, with California amendments, effective Jan 1, 2026. Source (opens in a new tab)
2025 California Fire CodeState Battery Storage Safety Collaborative pageCode amendmentPartialIn forceJan 1, 2026Applies 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)
2025 California Residential CodeTitle 24 codes pageCode amendmentPartialIn forceJan 1, 2026Sets the statewide residential building code effective Jan 1, 2026. Source (opens in a new tab)
CPUC Decision D.25-12-003CPUC Decision D.25-12-003 (R.20-05-012)Commission orderPartialIn forceDec 4, 2025Closes ratepayer-funded self-generation incentives to new applications after Dec 30, 2025 and returns unallocated funds to ratepayers. Source (opens in a new tab)
SB 710Legislative update dated Oct 3, 2025BillPartialIn forceOct 3, 2025Keeps the property tax exclusion for active solar energy systems built before Jan 1, 2027 until the property changes ownership. Source (opens in a new tab)
CPUC Rulemaking R.25-08-004Commission orderVerifiedPendingAug 20, 2025Studies refinements to Rule 21 interconnection rules for distributed energy resources at the large and small utilities. Source (opens in a new tab)
CPUC Resolution E-5364CPUC Resolution E-5364 (Energy Division own motion; Agenda ID 23299)Commission orderPartialIn forceMar 13, 2025Sets the bill savings estimate in the Contractors State License Board's Solar Energy System Disclosure Document to the 12 months after installation. Source (opens in a new tab)
CPUC Emergency Load Reduction ProgramCPUC Emergency Load Reduction Program (pilot), most recently updated by D.23-12-005Program rulePartialIn forceMay 1, 2021Funds 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)
Electric Rule 21 Section HhElectric Rule 21 Section Hh (smart inverter requirements); CPUC D.14-12-035TariffPartialIn forceSep 8, 2017Requires inverters on interconnecting distributed resources to perform seven autonomous functions from Sep 8, 2017. Later phases added communication and advanced functions under Rule 21 Section Hh. Source (opens in a new tab)
16 CCR Secs. 810, 832.10, and 832.46Order of AdoptionRulePartialIn force–Allows electrical contractors to install battery storage systems. Source (opens in a new tab)
22 CCR Sec. 66261.9 and Div. 4.5, Ch. 2322 CCR Sec. 66261.9 and Title 22, Division 4.5, Chapter 23 (universal waste); authority Health and Safety Code Sec. 25259 (SB 489, Chapter 419, Statutes of 2015)RulePartialIn 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 130Information Bulletin 25-05, dated Nov 26, 2025BillPartialIn force–Enacts a six-year moratorium on new state and local building standards affecting residential units, and limits code proposals in intervening cycles. Source (opens in a new tab)
Electric Rule 21Electric Rule 21 (PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E tariffs)TariffPartialIn 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 379SB 379 (Wiener), Chapter 356, Statutes of 2022StatutePartialIn force–Requires cities and counties to offer online, automated permitting for residential solar and solar-plus-storage systems and to report permit data annually. Source (opens in a new tab)

Every California law on residential 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