Battery storage rules: Wendell (Franklin County), MA
On March 1, 2023 the Attorney General disapproved Wendell's zoning ban on stand-alone battery storage. At its May 1, 2024 town meeting the town adopted a general (non-zoning) bylaw licensing battery storage; on November 14, 2024 the Attorney General disapproved it because it regulates land use and had to be adopted as a zoning bylaw. The town challenged that decision, and in March 2026 the Land Court let the disapproval stand.
Wendell: battery storage licensing bylaw disapproved; the Land Court upheld the decision (March 2026)
The Attorney General disapproved the town's general bylaw licensing battery storage on November 14, 2024, because it regulates land use and had to be adopted as a zoning bylaw. In March 2026 the Land Court (No. 25 MISC 000014) let the disapproval stand. Land Court, No. 25 MISC 000014 (March 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.
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.