Battery Energy Storage and Local Zoning in the Southwest

The document outlines five core elements for BESS zoning ordinances: treating BESS as a distinct land use, creating clear approval pathways, referencing national safety standards, basing setbacks on safety rather than size, and addressing project lifecycle changes. It provides detailed technical recommendations on permitting, environmental mitigation, noise and visual impacts, and the incorporation of NFPA and UL safety standards.

• BESS should be treated as a distinct land use because they do not generate power but store electricity produced elsewhere, meaning they differ from power plants, solar facilities, or substations.
• Zoning ordinances should establish approval pathways based on project size, use, and location. Specifically, the guide suggests applying standards to BESS with a rated nameplate capacity of 1 MWh or greater, while exempting residential systems.
• Local governments are advised to incorporate national safety standards by reference rather than replicating them. Key standards include NFPA 855 for installation and operation, NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), and UL 940 for equipment certification.
• Setbacks should be determined by safety needs rather than facility size, as the risk of thermal runaway does not increase with the size of the facility. A reasonable range for specific thresholds is suggested as 50–150 ft.
• Ordinances must address 'augmentation' because battery capacity degrades, typically requiring module replacement every seven to ten years over a 20-30 year lifespan.
• To mitigate community impacts, the guide recommends a noise limit of 60 dBA time weighted average at the property boundary and a perimeter fence at least seven feet high.
• Environmental protections should include requiring a stormwater assessment and management plan, as well as clearing all combustible vegetation within 10 feet of a BESS unit per NFPA 855.

APA

Clean Air Task Force (n.d.). Battery Energy Storage and Local Zoning in the Southwest. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20160015/BESS-in-the-Southwest.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Battery Energy Storage and Local Zoning in the Southwest. n.d. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20160015/BESS-in-the-Southwest.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Battery Energy Storage and Local Zoning in the Southwest |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20160015/BESS-in-the-Southwest.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cleanairtaskforcendbattery, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{Battery Energy Storage and Local Zoning in the Southwest}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20160015/BESS-in-the-Southwest.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }