Battery storage rules: Petersham (Worcester County), MA
Petersham's December 8, 2025 special town meeting amended its solar and battery storage zoning: fire department, board of health and consultant review, a fire suppression system, NFPA 855 compliance and an emergency response plan. On August 13, 2026 the Attorney General approved most of it, and disapproved two provisions under G.L. c. 40A §3: that storage not be visible from public ways or neighbouring property, and part of a requirement that the owner pay for emergency personnel equipment and training.
Petersham: battery storage zoning, mostly approved by the Attorney General (August 13, 2026)
The Attorney General approved most of the December 2025 amendments on August 13, 2026 (Case #12175) and disapproved two provisions under G.L. c. 40A §3: a rule that storage not be visible from public ways or neighbouring property, and part of a rule shifting emergency-personnel equipment and training costs to the owner. Attorney General decision, Petersham, Case #12175 (August 13, 2026)
Fire and building codes in force
- 527 CMR 1.00 (NFPA 1, 2021 edition, with Massachusetts amendments), effective December 9, 2022; Chapter 52 references NFPA 855 (2020 edition)
- Permit from the head of the local fire department for energy storage above NFPA 855's threshold quantities (MassDEP gives 20 kWh for lithium-ion)
- 780 CMR, 10th edition of the State Building Code (2021 I-Codes base), effective October 11, 2024; it sends energy storage fire safety to the fire code
- Electrical code: NFPA 70 (2026 edition)
How a project is permitted
Projects of 100 MWh or more: one consolidated permit from the Energy Facilities Siting Board (rules apply to filings from July 1, 2026; the Board must decide within 15 months of finding the application complete). Smaller projects: the town's zoning and permits; the developer may choose a consolidated local permit, which the town must decide within 12 months or issue a constructive approval permit, and every town must accept that application from October 1, 2026 (Chapter 239 of the Acts of 2024; 225 CMR 29.00). Ask your town how its zoning treats battery storage and which tier your project falls in.
Sources
- Attorney General decision on Petersham's bylaws (Case #12175) Town of Petersham
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.