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Duvall council imposes 120‑day moratorium on battery energy storage projects while staff studies safety and land‑use compatibility
Summary
Council adopted an emergency 120‑day moratorium on permitting and approvals for battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the city to allow staff, emergency providers and tribal partners to evaluate risks, siting issues and develop ordinance recommendations; a public hearing will be set within 60 days.
The city council voted unanimously to impose an emergency 120‑day moratorium on land‑use approvals and building permits for battery energy storage systems (BESS) inside city limits while staff completes an evaluation of health, safety and land‑use compatibility concerns.
The moratorium halts the acceptance, processing and approval of applications related to BESS facilities — including building permits, site plan reviews, conditional uses and deviations from engineering standards — while the city coordinates with emergency services, tribal partners and regional regulators to develop findings and recommendations.
Under the adopted ordinance staff must hold a public hearing on the moratorium within 60 days of passage, collect evidence and return recommendations to council. The measure was adopted as an emergency ordinance to provide an immediate pause while staff briefs emergency responders and prepares proposed regulatory language.
Council members said the action is intended to buy time for the city to understand operational and safety risks tied to BESS siting, fire control, buffer distances, and other technical issues before permitting decisions are made.
