What changes next for residential energy storage systems in Pennsylvania?

The 2024 IRC is in development. The 2024 IFC is in development. The 2023 NFPA 855 is in development.

Which Pennsylvania laws name residential energy storage systems?

Uniform Construction Code update, PPL distributed energy resource management plan, and PPL meter collar rule are in force or enacted.

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.

State

Residential energy storage systems in Pennsylvania

Which codes apply? In Pennsylvania, residential energy storage systems fall under the 2020 NEC, the 2021 IRC, the 2021 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 Pennsylvania enforces for each code that governs the product, and the part of the code that does.

NECNational Electrical Code

2020 NECPartial

in force since Jan 1, 2026 · Statewide, with exceptions

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

NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code) as referenced by the Pennsylvania UCC’s 2021 IBC · 34 Pa. Code Sec. 403.21 (adopts the 2021 IBC, which references NFPA 70), Regulation #12-125

The Pennsylvania NEC record
IRCInternational Residential Code

2021 IRCVerified

in force since Jan 1, 2026 · Statewide, with exceptions

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

Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC), 2021 International Residential Code as adopted · 34 Pa. Code Sec. 403.21 as amended by Regulation #12-125 (55 Pa.B., Nov. 8, 2025); Construction Code Act, 35 P.S. 7210.304

The 2024 IRC is in development.

The Pennsylvania IRC record
IFCInternational Fire Code

2021 IFCVerified

in force since Jan 1, 2026 · Statewide, with exceptions

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

2021 International Fire Code, adopted by reference within the Pennsylvania UCC · 34 Pa. Code Sec. 403.21 as amended by Regulation #12-125 (55 Pa.B., Nov. 8, 2025); Construction Code Act, 35 P.S. 7210.304

The 2024 IFC is in development.

The Pennsylvania IFC record
NFPA 855NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems

2020 NFPA 855Verified

in force since Jan 1, 2026 · Through the IFC, chapter 12 · Edition derived from the fire code the state adopts

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

UCC triennial update adopting 2021 ICC codes · Reg. 12-125; 34 Pa. Code 403.21

The 2023 NFPA 855 is in development.

The Pennsylvania NFPA 855 record

Coming next

IRC
The 2024 IRC is in development.
The Council’s page shows the 2024 code under review with comments open to Feb 2, 2027; no adoption or effective date was found.
Partial
IFC
The 2024 IFC is in development.
The Council’s page shows the 2024 code under review with comments open to Feb 2, 2027; no adoption or effective date was found.
Partial
NFPA 855
The 2023 NFPA 855 is in development.
Follows the state’s move to the 2024 IFC, which references this edition.
Follows the fire code

State or local

NECPennsylvania applies the NEC statewide, with exceptions the record lists.
NECPhiladelphia lists 2020 NFPA 70 as a referenced standard under its own Title 4 code.
IRCPennsylvania applies the IRC statewide, with exceptions the record lists.
IRCAct 45 Sec. 901 (Exemptions) has subsections on log walls, automatic sprinklers in one- and two-family dwellings, floor fire protection and wall bracing, added by Act 1 of 2011.
IFCPennsylvania applies the IFC statewide, with exceptions the record lists.
IFCApplies only to the extent other adopted ICC codes reference it; the UCC does not adopt the IFC as a stand-alone fire prevention code.

Cities and counties can amend a statewide code, so confirm the edition in force with the local official.

Go deeper

Pennsylvania laws that name residential energy storage systems

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

Law or rule	Kind	Stage	Date	What it does
HB 2264 virtual power plantsNews release on HB 2264	Bill	PartialPending	Jun 16, 2026	Would require major utilities to submit virtual power plant programs to the commission by Jul 1, 2027, paying opted-in households for grid services. Source (opens in a new tab)
Distributed resources in wholesale marketsDocket L-2023-3044115	Rule	VerifiedPending	Apr 11, 2026	Proposes rules on how utilities coordinate with distributed energy resources that take part in wholesale electricity markets. Source (opens in a new tab)
PPL distributed energy resource management planDocket P-2024-3049223	Commission order	PartialIn force	Jan 3, 2026	Lets the utility expand its distributed energy resource management devices and manage smart inverter settings on customer solar and batteries under set conditions. Source (opens in a new tab)
Uniform Construction Code updateRegulation #12-125	Code amendment	PartialIn force	Jan 1, 2026	Updates the Uniform Construction Code to nearly all provisions of the 2021 International Codes. Source (opens in a new tab)
Interconnection rules reviewNews release, Dec 18, 2025	Rule	VerifiedPending	Dec 18, 2025	Starts work on a proposed rule to update how new electric load and distributed energy resources connect to utility distribution systems. Source (opens in a new tab)
PPL meter collar ruleRules for Electric Meter and Service Installations: Meter Collar Devices	Tariff	PartialIn force	–	Bars customer-owned meter collar adapters between the utility meter and the meter base. Source (opens in a new tab)

Every Pennsylvania 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