Battery storage rules: Washington County, CO
Washington County paused battery storage from December 27, 2023, and on April 14, 2026 adopted battery storage regulations that ended the pause (Resolution 16-2026). Systems of 1 MW and up need a use by special review permit, UL 9540 certification, and compliance with "all current NFPA 855 Standards." Ask the county for its current status.
Washington County: battery storage rules adopted April 2026; the pause ended
Resolution 16-2026 (April 14, 2026) adopted battery storage zoning regulations, ending the moratorium in place since December 27, 2023: a use by special review permit for systems of 1 MW and up, and 1,000 ft from occupied or assembly buildings. Washington County Resolution 16-2026
Fire and building codes in force
- No statewide fire code edition for ordinary sites: ask your county or city building department and your fire protection district which edition applies
- The state Division of Fire Prevention and Control adopts the 2021 IFC only for buildings it oversees, such as public schools and health facilities (8 CCR 1507-101)
- A fire protection district's fire code applies in a county or city only if that county or city adopts it by resolution (C.R.S. 32-1-1002(1)(d))
How a project is permitted
Local: the county's zoning (in unincorporated areas, C.R.S. 30-28-113) or the city's or town's, with the permit type set locally (often a special use or conditional use permit). A local government may ask the Energy and Carbon Management Commission for technical support (SB24-212). Ask your county or city: is battery storage an allowed use in your zone, by what permit, is it paused, and which fire code applies?
Setbacks and spacing
- 60 ft from any road centerline (150 ft from the center point of road intersections); 60 ft from property lines (reducible with the neighbouring owner's agreement); 1,000 ft from any existing building used for human occupancy or assembly (reducible by the owner's written waiver) Local ordinance Washington County Resolution 16-2026
Sources
- Washington County Resolution 16-2026 — battery storage regulations Washington County
Check a specific system
For a proposal or a system you're evaluating, answer a few questions in BESScheck: you get the rules that apply here, a checklist of what to ask, and the sources behind each line.