Battery storage rules: Comstock Charter Township (Kalamazoo County), MI
Comstock Township's earlier pause (Ordinances 550 and 552) ended, and Ordinance 564 (adopted December 15, 2025) allows large battery storage (50 MW or more) by special land use in the LM and M districts and a large-system overlay (at least 140 acres), and smaller systems by special exception in LM and M. It requires a 15 ft height limit, 55 average hourly dBA at a neighbouring non-participating property line, NFPA 855, fire and emergency response plans prepared in consultation with responders and approved by the Fire Chief, a hazard mitigation analysis (updated if the battery chemistry changes), and decommissioning with financial assurance. Ask the township for its current status.
Comstock Township: battery storage ordinance adopted December 2025; the pause ended
Ordinance 564 (December 15, 2025) allows large battery storage by special land use in the LM and M districts and a large-system overlay (smaller systems by special exception), with setbacks up to 2,000 ft from schools, hospitals, assisted living and child care. Comstock Township Ordinance 564
Fire and building codes in force
- The state fire rules adopt NFPA 1 (2006 edition) for the buildings they cover and do not apply where a local government has adopted a nationally recognized fire code (Mich. Admin. Code R 29.1651–29.1652)
- 2021 Michigan Building Code (effective April 9, 2025); 2015 Michigan Residential Code (February 8, 2016); 2023 National Electrical Code (March 12, 2024)
How a project is permitted
Local zoning by default. For a project of 50 MW and 200 MWh or more, the developer may apply to the Michigan Public Service Commission for a siting certificate, and a local unit with zoning may ask the Commission to require one (MCL 460.1222). Ask: does my township have an ordinance for battery storage, or a moratorium? Which fire code and edition does my fire authority enforce? Is a project of this size handled by the township or eligible for the state Commission?
Setbacks and spacing
- From the fence: 300 ft to homes and occupied buildings on non-participating land; 100 ft to a road right-of-way; 50 ft to a property line; 2,000 ft from schools (pre-K to 12), hospitals, assisted living and commercial child care Local ordinance Comstock Township Ordinance 564
Sources
- Comstock Township Ordinance 564 — battery energy storage systems Comstock Township
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.