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Santa Maria adopts ordinance regulating battery energy storage systems in city zoning
Summary
The council adopted an ordinance amending the municipal code to add definitions and siting restrictions for battery energy storage systems (BESS). Staff cited safety concerns after the Moss Landing incident; ordinance narrows viable sites inside city limits.
The City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2025-01 amending Title 12 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code to add new definitions and siting parameters for battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Planning staff said the ordinance was driven by safety concerns following high-profile battery storage fires elsewhere (notably Moss Landing). Staff noted the technology continues to evolve and that the ordinance is intended to reduce the risk to…
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