What changes next for commercial and utility energy storage systems in Wisconsin?

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

Which Wisconsin laws name commercial and utility energy storage systems?

Storage project filing requirements, Wis. Stat. 196.491, Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 316, Kenosha County storage moratorium, PSC Application Filing Requirements: Solar Energy Projects, and Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 673 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

Commercial and utility energy storage systems in Wisconsin

Which codes apply? In Wisconsin, commercial and utility energy storage systems fall under the 2023 NEC, NFPA 1 in place of the IFC, the 2021 IBC, and the 2020 NFPA 855 through the fire code.

Cabinets and containers at a business, a campus, or a substation. State record read Oct 25, 2026. Data as of Oct 26, 2026.

Codes that reach commercial and utility energy storage systems

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

NECNational Electrical Code

2023 NECVerified

in force since Sep 1, 2026

Where it reaches the product. Article 706, with 705 for the interconnection.

Wisconsin electrical code (ch. SPS 316) · Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 316 (NEC edition listed in s. SPS 316.007(1)(a)); Clearinghouse Rule CR 26-016 (Register June 2026 No. 846)

The Wisconsin NEC record
IFCInternational Fire Code

Another model codeVerified

Where it reaches the product. Chapter 12, section 1207, and the operational permit.

Wisconsin Fire Prevention Code (ch. SPS 314, NFPA 1) · Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 314

The 2024 IFC is in development.

The Wisconsin IFC record
IBCInternational Building Code

2021 IBCVerified

in force since Sep 1, 2025

Where it reaches the product. Occupancy, construction type, and separation for the building that holds the system.

Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (chs. SPS 361-366) · Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 361-366 (Clearinghouse Rule CR 23-007, identified from the Legislature’s document naming)

The Wisconsin IBC record
NFPA 855NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems

2020 NFPA 855Verified

in force since Sep 1, 2025 · Through the IFC, chapter 12 · Edition derived from the fire code the state adopts

Where it reaches the product. The whole standard: siting, size and separation, fire control, explosion control, and commissioning.

Wisconsin Commercial Building Code, which applies 2021 International Fire Code section 1207 to commercial buildings · Wis. Admin. Code SPS 361.03(14)

The 2023 NFPA 855 is in development.

The Wisconsin NFPA 855 record

Coming next

IFC
The 2024 IFC is in development.
The scope statement says DSPS is potentially adopting the 2024 NFPA 1 (approved for publication Aug 11, 2025, for implementation Nov 4, 2025) and DSPS lists the rule as Drafting Rule; the edition refers to NFPA 1, not the IFC.
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

IFCA municipality may enforce an alternate model fire code adopted by ordinance if, in total, it is equivalent to NFPA 1 (SPS 314.001(2)).
IBCApplies to public buildings, public structures and places of employment; one- and two-family dwellings are under the Uniform Dwelling Code (chs. SPS 320-325).

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

Go deeper

Wisconsin laws that name commercial and utility energy storage systems

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

Law or rule	Kind	Stage	Date	What it does
Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 316News release on the 2023 electrical code	Code amendment	PartialIn force	Sep 1, 2026	Adopts the 2023 National Electrical Code with state changes for electrical work from Sep 1, 2026, replacing the 2017 edition. Source (opens in a new tab)
Kenosha County storage moratoriumBattery Energy Storage System Ordinance page	Local ordinance	PartialIn force	May 19, 2026	Pauses county review of new battery energy storage system permits and zoning approvals for 12 months from a May 19, 2026 vote. Source (opens in a new tab)
Fire code review scope statementScope statement	Rule	PartialPending	Nov 4, 2025	Starts a rulemaking to update the state fire prevention code, which now references the 2012 edition of NFPA 1. The department may adopt the 2024 edition. Source (opens in a new tab)
PSC Application Filing Requirements: Solar Energy ProjectsApplication Filing Requirements: Solar Energy Projects	Agency guidance	PartialIn force	Oct 1, 2025	Lists what large solar projects must file, including setbacks, inverter details, decommissioning plans and costs, and plans for any co-located battery storage. Source (opens in a new tab)
Storage project filing requirementsApplication Filing Requirements: Energy Storage Projects	Agency guidance	PartialIn force	–	Lists what storage projects seeking state approval must file. Source (opens in a new tab)
Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 673Universal waste page	Rule	PartialIn force	–	Lets handlers manage hazardous waste batteries, such as lithium and lead-acid batteries, under the universal waste rules in ch. Source (opens in a new tab)
Wis. Stat. 196.491Application Filing Requirements: Solar Energy Projects	Statute	PartialIn force	–	Requires a state certificate of public convenience and necessity before a large electric generating facility is built. Source (opens in a new tab)

Every Wisconsin 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