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Battery Permits

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This information is for standalone battery applications. If your battery project is part of a larger solar (PV) project, use the information provide in the Solar (PV) & Battery Permits webpage but be sure to include the required information below.

Are Plans Required? Yes: Plans must be specific to the proposed installation rather than relying solely on generic manufacturer installation details.
Submitted Through ePlan Review 
Prepare Your Application Package
ePlan User Guide
How to Submit a Project in ePlan Overview
Required Forms See forms available under the "Building" section on the ePlan Review webpage.
Fees Intake fees are approximately $600, and inspection fees are about $500.
Minimum Plan Size
  • 18 x 24 inch minimum landscape format
  • Other accepted sizes: 24 x 36, 30 x 42, and 36 x 48 inches
If you need help or have questions Contact Building staff by email: Planning.BuildingInfo@santacruzcountyca.gov, or by Scheduling an appointment using the Appointment Scheduler .
IMPORTANT NOTE Check with Zoning for development standards, including setbacks.
Additional Information & Resources:
  • Provide a site/floor plan and elevations clearly showing the proposed ESS location, building openings, property lines, and other nearby features necessary to verify required clearances and separation.
  • Show required ESS spacing from doors, windows, and other openings, and spacing between individual ESS units in compliance with applicable codes unless reduced separation is specifically permitted by the equipment listing and manufacturer’s installation instructions.
  • Identify the ESS energy ratings and demonstrate compliance with the applicable location-based capacity limits.
  • For garage installations, show required protection from vehicle impact where applicable.
  • For indoor ESS installations, identify the required fire detection. Rooms and areas within dwelling units, basements, and attached garages containing ESS are required to be protected by smoke alarms. Where a smoke alarm cannot be installed based on its listing, provide a listed heat alarm interconnected with the dwelling smoke alarms.
  • Identify the manufacturer and model of each ESS component and provide the manufacturer’s specifications, installation instructions, and applicable listing/evaluation documentation.
  • Provide an electrical line diagram showing the ESS, inverter or integrated equipment, existing and proposed electrical service and distribution equipment, overcurrent protection, disconnecting means, and interconnections.
  • Clearly identify whether the project is battery-only or includes other work such as new or revised PV, service equipment, panel upgrades, generators, or other electrical modifications. Any additional work should be included in the permit scope and plans.
  • Identify the required readily accessible ESS emergency shutdown/disconnecting means and associated signage. Show the location of the disconnect and indicate the required ON/OFF identification and ESS shutdown function.
  • Provide all required ESS placards, labels, markings, and directories applicable to the proposed system configuration. Where the ESS disconnect is not within sight of the main electrical service disconnect, provide a placard or directory at the main service equipment identifying the location of the ESS disconnecting means.
  • Where multiple power sources are present, such as utility, PV, ESS, and generator sources, provide the required permanent plaque directory identifying the location of the applicable power-source disconnecting means.
  • Clearly identify whether equipment is existing or new. If existing PV or other electrical equipment is being interconnected with the new ESS, provide sufficient information to verify the complete system configuration.

The following are the relevant applicable codes and standards:

  • Current California Residential Code (CRC), Section R330 — Energy Storage Systems
  • Current California Fire Code (CFC), Section 1207 — Electrical Energy Storage Systems
  • Current California Electrical Code (CEC), Article 706 — Energy Storage Systems
  • NFPA 855 — Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems
  • UL 9540 — Standard for Energy Storage Systems and Equipment
  • UL 9540A — Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire Propagation in Battery Energy Storage Systems
  • UL 1741 — Standard for Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use With Distributed Energy Resources
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