Energy Storage Permitting Guidebook - Report - Page 22
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Energy Storage Guidebook
Initial Permit Application and Project Development
The process typically begins with an applicant researching project requirements and developing a design
for ESS installation. They then submit the permit application to the relevant AHJ with the project plans. The
AHJ’s approval steps flow from this point to the step of confirming proper installation during site inspection
and providing a final approval post inspection.
Permit Application Review by AHJ
For most AHJs, the permit review varies according to the type of project to be permitted. This variation is
important because the requirements for permitting ESS installations in residential structures are different
from the requirements for permitting ESS in commercial buildings. Some AHJs offer an expedited channel
that may apply to both residential and commercial projects. Larger and/or more complex projects require
more detailed review and take a different path through an AHJ’s process. The review is typically split
into residential and commercial lanes so that building officials with specialized knowledge of either the
residential or commercial code can focus on those specific projects. In some cases, permit applications also
may be reviewed by building department staff with detailed knowledge of electrical, mechanical, plumbing,
or other systems. In addition, AHJs may require additional permits, such as coastal development permits
or California Coastal Commission review, which may affect storage installations. The commission’s review
requirements are available at https://www.coastal.ca.gov/laws/.
Depending on AHJ rules and the type of project under review, building officials may be required to obtain
approval for permits from other agencies, such as the fire department and the electric utility. A set of reviews
often required for large or complex projects is shown in Figure 4. Aside from building safety, some projects
may require review by the fire department, zoning and planning department (which may be integrated
with building safety in some locations), and a public works or transportation department if the project
affects public infrastructure or roadways. If a municipality also runs a public utility, the utility will also
typically require review of the project. For projects served by investor-owned utilities, the creation of an
interconnection agreement typically happens outside the municipal permit review process.
It is important to note that the processes and reviews described above cannot always be completed
simultaneously and may need to be completed sequentially. For example, sometimes the fire department
review must be completed prior to building department review, or the utility interconnection agreement
must be provided prior to building permit issuance. The timing and interaction of these processes and
handoffs contribute to the complexity of navigating ESS permitting across California.
