Battery storage rules: North Bend, WA
On May 19, 2026 the North Bend City Council voted unanimously to approve an ordinance enacting a twelve-month moratorium on battery energy storage systems within city limits (city news release, May 20, 2026). Ask the city for its current status.
North Bend: twelve-month moratorium on battery storage applications (May 2026)
On May 19, 2026 the City Council voted unanimously to approve an ordinance enacting a twelve-month moratorium on battery energy storage systems within city limits. City of North Bend news release, May 20, 2026
Fire and building codes in force
- 2021 International Fire Code with Washington amendments (WAC 51-54A), statewide since March 15, 2024
- Proposed, not adopted: the 2024 edition, which would point energy storage rules to NFPA 855, with a planned effective date of May 3, 2027 (WSR 26-10-069)
How a project is permitted
By default, local: the city or county's zoning, conditional-use permit, SEPA review and fire code. A developer of a standalone battery may choose state certification by EFSEC instead (RCW 80.50.060(1)(b)(v)); a certificate takes the place of local permits (RCW 80.50.120(3)). Ask your city or county whether battery storage is an allowed use in your zone, and whether a moratorium is in effect and when it ends.
Sources
- City of North Bend — moratorium news release (May 20, 2026) City of North Bend
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.