Battery storage rules: Kane County, IL
Kane County adopted an energy storage section for its unincorporated areas on September 8, 2026 (ORD 26-436, new Section 25-5-4-10). It covers storage with an aggregate energy capacity greater than 1,000 kilowatts, which needs siting approval through a special use application. The nearest battery enclosure must be 150 feet from occupied community buildings and dwellings on nonparticipating property, and 50 feet from the lines of nonparticipating property and from public road rights-of-way. The owner of an affected nonparticipating property can waive the setbacks for that property by written consent, recorded with the county. Systems must meet NFPA 855 (the edition in effect June 1, 2026, or a later one in effect at approval). Ask the county which zoning districts allow storage and for its current status.
Kane County: energy storage zoning adopted September 2026
ORD 26-436 (September 8, 2026) adds Section 25-5-4-10 to the Kane County Zoning Ordinance: siting approval for storage over 1,000 kilowatts through a special use application, with setbacks of 150 feet and 50 feet. Kane County Board, ORD 26-436 (passed September 8, 2026), Section 25-5-4-10
Fire and building codes in force
- State Fire Marshal (41 Ill. Adm. Code 100): the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 2015 edition, effective January 1, 2020, as the minimum; a community that has adopted fire safety standards equal to or higher than the state's enforces its own (41 Ill. Adm. Code 100.3(c)(2))
- In county-zoned areas, the county law lets a county require NFPA 855 (the edition in effect June 1, 2026, or a later one at approval) and requires every battery to be listed to UL 1973 and UL 9540 (55 ILCS 5/5-12024)
How a project is permitted
Unincorporated land: the county's zoning, within the limits of 55 ILCS 5/5-12024 (a county without zoning may not restrict these systems). Inside a city or village: its own zoning; ask the planning office. Siting or special-use applications submitted to a county before June 1, 2026 are not covered by the state law. Ask: is the site in a city or village, or unincorporated county land? Does the county have a storage ordinance under the state law? Which fire code does the fire department enforce?
Sources
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.