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Coppell staff previews adoption of 2026 National Electrical Code; removes local battery‑storage restrictions after state action
Summary
Coppell building staff introduced proposed adoption of the 2026 National Electrical Code and explained the removal of two locally stricter battery‑storage sections that are preempted by recent Texas legislation; no action was taken tonight — staff will circulate track changes for further review.
City building official Steve Schubert presented a preliminary overview of proposed amendments to adopt the 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC) and explained which local amendments staff proposes to remove.
Schubert told commissioners that the city’s previous local amendments made the city more stringent than state law for battery storage installations. He cited recent state legislation (identified in the hearing as Senate Bill 1252) that prevents cities from adopting more restrictive local rules for certain battery storage and generator installations and that grants certain homeowner scopes of work in primary residences. As a result, staff proposed dropping two local sections that conflicted with state law.
Schubert explained the adoption process will be staged and that staff will circulate a tracked‑changes document comparing the city’s current 2023 adoptions with the proposed 2026 text so commissioners can review specific edits. He emphasized that permit holders keep protections based on the code in effect at the time a permit is pulled: "Everything is based on the codes that were in place at the time of application," he said.
No formal action or vote was taken on code adoption at this meeting; staff said the state is expected to adopt the 2026 NEC effective Sept. 1, 2026, and that the city will return with a formal recommendation and draft ordinance for council consideration when ready.
