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Local planners and fire experts urge early engagement, peer review and standardized submissions for BESS permits
Summary
County planners and fire authorities described moratoriums, draft ordinances, streamlined online permitting, and best‑practice submission packages; fire experts recommended early pre‑application coordination, UL/large‑scale testing evidence, incident command planning, and peer reviews to reduce risk and delays.
Local permitting officials and fire experts told the webinar that early, consolidated submissions and coordinated training are the most effective tools to speed review while protecting communities.
Justin Kirk, deputy director of OC Public Works, said Orange County initiated a board action and a temporary moratorium while staff draft zoning and general plan amendments that would regulate BESS siting, setbacks and decommissioning. "We began reaching out to SoCal utilities and our fire authority to build a consistent approach rather than a patchwork of local rules," Kirk said.
Moe Zarabi, senior planner for San Diego County, described online permitting, fee waivers, consolidated checklists and a pre‑review process that guides applicants through multi‑discipline reviews. "We use pre‑intake meetings and a consolidated checklist to reduce repetitive cycles and help applicants provide the information we need up front," Zarabi said.
Mike Nicholas (Hiller Fire Protection), a former Kern County fire captain, described a 32‑page submission guideline used for Kern County's large BESS projects. He urged applicants to provide UL‑9540/9540A test reports, large‑scale fire‑test data demonstrating non‑propagation between enclosures, site hazard mitigation analyses, emergency response plans (separate for construction/commissioning/operations), fire water tanks and incident command details.
Michael Bowes (Energy Safety Response Group) recommended peer reviews and periodic special inspections and said New York's interagency inspections led to proposed fire‑code language that includes improved signage, system monitoring, central station alarms, and on‑site emergency response liaisons.
Recommendations for applicants echoed across speakers: involve fire and planning early, provide a single integrated submission package (including testing and ERP materials), consider pre‑approved product lists or peer reviews, and commit to firefighter training and annual drills.
Ending: Local officials said model ordinances, checklists and training materials from state toolkits would be helpful, reinforcing GoBiz’s planned work on a statewide permitting playbook.
