Coppell staff previews adoption of 2026 National Electrical Code, removes locally stricter battery‑storage rules

Steve Schubert, Coppell’s chief building official, gave the commission an informational preview Feb. 5 of proposed amendments to replace references to the 2023 National Electrical Code with the 2026 cycle in the city’s adoption ordinance and to remove two local provisions on battery storage that are more stringent than state law.

Schubert said the National Electrical Code is on a multi‑year update cycle and that the city’s recommended change is largely clerical — substituting the 2023 reference with 2026 — but that two battery‑storage provisions previously added locally would be struck because state legislation (identified in the presentation as Senate Bill 1252 from the legislative session cited) preempts local restrictions on battery storage installations. “We just don't have the authority to do that anymore,” Schubert said of the local restrictions.

He told commissioners he would email a track‑changed draft showing proposed edits and links summarizing key differences between the 2023 and 2026 editions so the commission can review before a future public hearing. Schubert noted that the state’s adoption schedule sets a Sept. 1, 2026 effective date for the 2026 code and that staff does not plan to take final action at this meeting; this presentation was educational and intended to give commissioners time to review the changes before a formal recommendation to council.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about permit impacts and the treatment of projects that already have active permits; Schubert explained permits remain governed by the code in effect at time of application and described a new internal reminder system that alerts permit holders 30 days before an expiration to reduce rework.

No action was taken; staff will circulate the proposed tracked changes and schedule a future hearing if amendments are recommended.