County Looking for Public Input on Another Zoning Change . . . This One on Battery Storage Systems
- Public Announcement
- 7 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The County of San Diego Planning & Development Services (PDS) is pleased to announce that the Draft Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Zoning Ordinance amendment is available for public comment.
The draft ordinance is available on the Engage San Diego website.
The draft ordinance defines BESS uses and determines where BESS can be located. The draft proposes to prohibit BESS in residential zones and encourages siting of BESS in appropriate industrial and commercial zones. The draft only addresses BESS facilities that have a total energy storage capacity of more than 600 kilowatt-hours (kWh). The draft also incorporates requirements to address safety and compatibility with surrounding areas.
Comment on the Draft Ordinance
We want your feedback! Comments can be submitted via email to PDS.LongRangePlanning@sdcounty.ca.gov or mailed to the attention of Mayu Tanaka at the County of San Diego Planning & Development Services, 5510 Overland Avenue, Suite 210, San Diego CA, 92123.
Comments are due by Sunday, September 27 at 11:59 p.m.
Attend a Virtual Public Meeting
You are invited to attend one of our upcoming virtual public meetings. At the meetings, we will provide a summary of the draft ordinance. You may also provide your comments to staff at these meetings. The dates of the meetings are:
Thursday, August 27 at 12:00 p.m.
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83821996822
Thursday, September 17 at 6:00 p.m.
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87632623299
Please note that each meeting will cover the same material.
Please register for the meetings! Registration is free and does not require you to create an account. While registration is not required to attend, it helps us anticipate the number of attendees.
If you would like interpretation services at the meeting, please contact Mayu Tanaka in your preferred language at PDS.LongRangePlanning@sdcounty.ca.gov or (858) 505-6677 by 11:59 p.m. on August 19, 2026.
Please help us spread the word - share this message with your friends and colleagues!
Visit us on our Engage San Diego County platform to learn more about the BESS Zoning Ordinance Amendment process.
Be sure to subscribe to the BESS email list to receive project updates.
County of San Diego | August 13, 2026
EDITOR'S NOTE: According to the County of Santa Cruz (CA), "Local governments implement Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) zoning ordinances to regulate the placement, safety, and environmental impact of commercial and utility-scale energy storage. These rules typically mandate specific property setbacks, fire suppression and emergency response plans, and designated zoning districts to balance renewable energy goals with public safety."
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