Energy Storage Permitting Guidebook Version 1 - Flipbook - Page 12
12
Energy Storage Guidebook
Overview of Codes Relevant to Energy
Storage and Permit Review Processes
This section includes summaries of technologies, codes, and processes relevant
to energy storage permit review.
Energy Storage and the California Building Standard Code
Energy storage systems (ESS) in California must be designed to provisions in the Building Standards Code,
which is Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.2 Title 24 is an essential mechanism for reducing
energy consumption in buildings and improving their overall performance. By complying with Title 24
requirements, building owners and designers can trim energy consumption and reduce energy bills,
while also promoting sustainability and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. The ways that the California
Residential Code, Part 2.5 of Title 24, governs the installation of ESS for one- and two-family homes and
properties is described in Table 1.3 The California Fire Code, Part 9 of Title 24, governs the installation of ESS
for commercial and multifamily buildings and properties. The California Electrical Code, Part 3 of Title 24,
governs the installation of the electrical aspects of ESS for all building and property types. The California
Energy Code, Part 6 of Title 24, sets the requirements for new construction, which include the storage-ready
requirement for single-family homes and the solar and storage mandate for commercial buildings and highrise multifamily buildings.
TA B L E 1
Parts of California Building Code That Apply to ESS by Building Type: California Building
Standards Code (CBSC), Title 24 – Applies to ESS in New Construction
Building Type
Part 2.5
CA Residential
Code
Part 3
CA Electrical Code
Part 6
CA Energy Code4
Part 9
CA Fire Code
One- & Two-Family
Residential
Multifamily
Residential
Commercial
Source: Center for Sustainable Energy (https://energycenter.org/)
This guidebook provides recommendations for permitting ESS to the residential, electrical, and fire codes.
Jurisdictions should ensure structures follow the energy code regarding ESS using the CEC’s existing
compliance documents.
2 California Building Standards Commission (CBSC). (2021). “History of the California Building Code.” https://www.dgs.ca.gov/BSC/About/History-ofthe-California-Building-Code--Title-24-Part-2
3 California Residential Code (CRC), Title 24. (2022a). Part 2.5. https://codes.iccsafe.org/s/CARC2022P1/part-ix-referenced-standards/CARC2022P1-Pt09
4 Applies to ESS in new construction.