Agenda item
BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS WITHIN THE CITY OF ESCONDIDO — approved 5-0
Council Meeting (Closed Session 4:00 PM), item 20, BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS WITHIN THE CITY OF ESCONDIDO was approved (5-0). [Minutes, p. 7]
Tier 3 · Human approved · Updated Sep 1, 2026
The Escondido City Council voted to adopt new rules for battery energy storage systems in the city, approving Ordinance No. 2026-09. Councilmember White made the motion and Councilmember J. Garcia seconded it, and it passed 5-0.
The ordinance takes the County of San Diego's guidelines for battery energy storage systems and writes them into Escondido's own version of the California Fire Code as a local amendment.
The council did not adopt the proposal exactly as staff put it forward. The motion added C10 Licensed Contractor requirements to the workforce standards.
The item came to the council from the Fire Department, presented by Deputy Fire Chief Tyler Batson, and staff had recommended approval. It is filed under file number 0680-50. The excerpts do not say what the county guidelines actually require of battery storage installations, or when the new rules take effect.
The record
- Meeting
- Council Meeting (Closed Session 4:00 PM)
- Body
- City Council
- Item
- 20
- Request
- Request the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 2026-09, adopting the County of San Diego Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) guidelines as a local amendment to the California Fire Code.
- Staff recommendation
- approval
- Outcome
- approved
- Vote
- 5-0
- Moved by
- White
- Seconded by
- J. Garcia
- Case or file number
- 0680-50
From the document
Every field above was read from one of these passages.
20. BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS WITHIN THE CITY OF ESCONDIDO Request the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 2026-09, adopting the County of San Diego Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) guidelines as a local amendment to the California Fire Code. (File Number 0680-50)
Staff Recommendation: Approval (Fire Department: Tyler Batson, Deputy Fire Chief)
Motion to approved staff recommendation with the inclusion C10 Licensed Contractor requirements for the Workforce Standards: White; Second: J. Garcia; Approved: 5-0