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 Massachusetts

Which codes apply? In Massachusetts, residential energy storage systems fall under the 2026 NEC, the 2021 IRC, another model code in place of the IFC, and the 2020 NFPA 855 through the fire code.

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 Massachusetts enforces for each code that governs the product, and the part of the code that does.

  1. NECNational Electrical Code
    2026 NECVerified

    in force since Apr 24, 2026

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

    Massachusetts Electrical Code (527 CMR 12.00), 2026 edition · 527 CMR 12.00

    The Massachusetts NEC record
  2. IRCInternational Residential Code
    2021 IRCVerified

    in force since Oct 11, 2024

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

    Massachusetts Residential Code (780 CMR 51.00), Tenth Edition, Residential Volume · 780 CMR 51.00, s. R101.1

    The 2024 IRC is in development.

    The Massachusetts IRC record
  3. IFCInternational Fire Code
    Another model codeVerified

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

    Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code (527 CMR 1.00) · 527 CMR 1.00, ss. 1.04-1.05

    The 2024 IFC is proposed.

    The Massachusetts IFC record
  4. NFPA 855NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems
    2020 NFPA 855Verified

    in force since May 12, 2023 · Through NFPA 1, chapter 52 · Edition derived from the fire code the state adopts

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

    Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code (527 CMR 1.00) · 527 CMR 1.00, ss. 1.04-1.05, ch. 52; Table 1.12.8.32

    The Massachusetts NFPA 855 record

Massachusetts laws that name residential energy storage systems

On the site: 20 laws, rules, orders, and bills, newest first.

Law or ruleKindStageDateWhat it does
527 CMR 1.00 (2024 Edition)Proposed amendments to 527 CMR 1.00Code amendmentVerifiedPendingOct 15, 2026Proposes moving the state fire code to NFPA 1 (2024 edition) with Massachusetts amendments. Source (opens in a new tab)
225 CMR 28.00225 CMR 28.00 (SMART 3.0)Program rulePartialIn forceSep 11, 2026Pays solar incentives per kWh; systems of 25 kW AC or less get a flat $0.03 per kWh, or $0.06 for low-income customers. Source (opens in a new tab)
H.5175H.5175, 194th General Court (House draft H.5151 as amended; Senate text S.3143)BillVerifiedPendingJul 1, 2026An earlier House draft, H.5151, proposed a statewide storage incentive program and a state permitting platform for home solar and storage. Source (opens in a new tab)
NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource EnergyInterconnection tariff M.D.P.U. No. 55DTariffPartialIn forceMay 1, 2026Sets one utility's interconnection rules, including a simplified track for listed inverter systems of 25 kilowatts or less. Source (opens in a new tab)
527 CMR 12.00527 CMR 12.00 (Massachusetts Electrical Code, based on the 2026 NEC)Code amendmentPartialIn forceApr 24, 2026Requires installations permitted after Apr 24, 2026 to meet the 2026 National Electrical Code with Massachusetts amendments. Source (opens in a new tab)
H.3467H.3467, 194th General CourtBillPartialDid not passApr 6, 2026Proposes energy code rules requiring solar on new buildings, plus battery storage on new multifamily and commercial buildings up to six stories. Source (opens in a new tab)
H.4144H.4144, 194th General CourtBillPartialDid not passApr 6, 2026Proposes a statewide solar incentive program set by regulation, state clean energy procurement that includes storage, and a state siting and permitting division. Source (opens in a new tab)
ConnectedSolutions small-scale battery program detailsResidential battery program materialsProgram rulePartialIn forceMar 13, 2026Pays $275 per kW for behind-the-meter batteries of 50 kW or less that discharge during 30 to 60 summer peak events. Source (opens in a new tab)
D.P.U. 25-48Commission orderPartialIn forceFeb 10, 2026Revised the model interconnection tariff that each utility's own tariff follows. Source (opens in a new tab)
S.2270S.2270, 194th General Court (Senate Docket 2553)BillVerifiedPendingDec 15, 2025Proposes requiring each electric company to run a virtual power plant program paying customer-sited distributed energy resources for peak load reduction. Source (opens in a new tab)
MassDEP Guidance on Electric Battery Storage and Electric Vehicle ChargersGuidance on electric battery storage, Aug 2025Agency guidancePartialIn forceAug 20, 2025Summarizes existing rules, including a fire department permit above 20 kWh, or above 1 kWh at one- and two-family homes, and listing to UL 9540. It says most lithium-ion batteries are hazardous waste that can be managed as universal waste. Source (opens in a new tab)
D.P.U. 24-140 through D.P.U. 24-149D.P.U. 24-140 through D.P.U. 24-149, Order on the 2025-2027 Three-Year Energy Efficiency Plans (Feb 28, 2025)Commission orderPartialIn forceFeb 28, 2025Approves, with modifications, the 2025 to 2027 efficiency plans, including an improved demand response program that controls customer batteries and thermostats during system peaks. Source (opens in a new tab)
220 CMR 18.00220 CMR 18.00 net metering regulationRulePartialIn forceDec 20, 2024Requires utilities to credit net metering facilities; Class I runs to 60 kW, and Class I systems of 25 kW or less are cap exempt. Source (opens in a new tab)
780 CMR780 CMR (tenth edition), Massachusetts State Building CodeCode amendmentPartialIn forceOct 11, 2024Requires building construction to meet the 2021 International Codes with Massachusetts amendments. Source (opens in a new tab)
780 CMR 51.00Residential code chapter 3, tenth editionCode amendmentPartialIn forceOct 11, 2024Requires home energy storage to get building permits and inspections, follow the state electrical code, and have smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Source (opens in a new tab)
State Fire Marshal memo to building inspectors and fire prevention officersState Fire Marshal memo to building inspectors and fire prevention officers, Mar 1, 2023Agency guidancePartialIn forceMar 1, 2023Says storage installations permitted on or after Dec 9, 2022 must meet the prescriptive rules of the latest edition of 527 CMR 1.00. It ends the Jun 7, 2021 alternatives for one- and two-family homes. Source (opens in a new tab)
TSRG Common Technical Standards ManualCommon technical standards manual, Dec 2022Agency guidancePartialIn forceDec 22, 2022Lists utility technical requirements for connecting inverters and storage, such as inverters Listed to UL 1741 and IEEE 1547 trip functions. Source (opens in a new tab)
527 CMR 1.00 (2021 edition)527 CMR 1.00 (2021 edition), Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety CodeCode amendmentPartialIn forceDec 9, 2022Adopts NFPA 1 (2021 edition) with Massachusetts amendments as the state fire code. Source (opens in a new tab)
St. 2022, c. 179, § 72StatutePartialIn forceAug 11, 2022Under this section, each utility filed a tariff setting operating limits for energy storage connected to its grid. Source (opens in a new tab)
St. 2022, c. 179, §§ 13 and 24StatutePartialIn forceAug 11, 2022Allows clean energy matching grants, including for energy storage technologies, to go to municipal colleges and public schools. Source (opens in a new tab)

Every Massachusetts 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