Marion County adopts code amendments clarifying how battery energy storage systems are treated under zoning

Marion County commissioners on July 9 adopted an administrative ordinance to clarify how existing Marion County urban and rural zone codes (Chapters 16 and 17) apply to battery energy storage systems, after public comment from an industry representative and an affected landowner.

The ordinance, adopted by voice vote, updates county code language to make clear how current zoning provisions apply to the siting and permitting of battery energy storage systems (BESS). Commissioners and planning staff said the change is intended to provide clarity while the county develops detailed standards for future applications.

Why it matters: county staff told commissioners that BESS are not expressly contemplated in current county code, state statute, or state administrative rule, and that the code language needed clarification before the county proceeds to write permitting standards. Planning staff said the clarification will not retroactively change approvals or applications already in process.

Industry and landowner comments: Christina Gispert, who…