Local authority · California
Los Angeles — energy & appliance code adoption
Yes — effectively. LA is on the 2022 CEC like the rest of California, but layers LAMC Article 3 amendments and Ordinance 187714 (effective 2023-04-01), which generally requires new construction to be all-electric (no gas/combustion equipment) — pushing appliance selection toward electric (induction/resistive) cooking. Repeal of 187714 has been drafted as of mid-2025 but not finalized. Below: how Los Angeles differs from California on appliance listing, NEC, fire code, and energy storage, with sources.
Is UL 858 required in Los Angeles?
Yes — effectively. Los Angeles requires fixed household appliances to be listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), and UL 858 is the de-facto listing standard a household electric range must meet. Electric ranges sold/installed in LA must be listed by an NRTL per CEC/NEC 110.3; UL858 is the standard NRTLs use for household electric ranges.
Are NRTL-listed (UL / ETL / CSA) appliances required in Los Angeles?
Yes. Los Angeles's adopted code requires fixed electrical appliances to be listed by an NRTL (UL, ETL/Intertek, CSA, etc.) — CEC/NEC 110.2 & 110.3; LAMC Art. 3. Equipment must be approved/listed by an NRTL recognized by LADBS; LA enforces listing through plan check and field inspection.
Which edition of the NEC does Los Angeles use?
Los Angeles has adopted the 2020 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC), effective 2023-10-04. LA City Electrical Code is the 2023 LA edition based on the 2022 CEC, which incorporates NEC 2020 with California amendments. Next cycle (2025 CEC / NEC 2023) is on a 3-year update.
Is UL 9540 required for residential energy storage in Los Angeles?
Yes. Los Angeles's adopted code requires UL 9540 listing for stationary energy storage systems (ESS) in dwellings. CA statewide mandates UL 9540A for R-3 ESS; LAFD requires permit + plan review for all residential ESS. LA all-electric ordinance (Ord. 187714) drives ESS adoption in new SF / MF construction. Aggregate >20 kWh requires 9540A unit-level test data; >80 kWh prohibited in dwellings.
Is UL 9540A fire-propagation testing required in Los Angeles?
Yes. Los Angeles's adopted code requires UL 9540A listing for energy storage systems.
What is the residential energy-storage capacity limit in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles limits residential energy storage to 20 kWh per dwelling unit.
Which fire code does Los Angeles enforce?
Los Angeles enforces other 2021. 2023 LA Fire Code based on 2022 CFC / IFC 2021; effective 2023-10-04. LAFD enforces.
Code adoption summary
| NEC edition | 2020 NEC |
|---|---|
| Appliance listing (UL 858) | Effectively required |
| NRTL listing requirement | Required |
| Fire code | other 2021 |
| IRC edition | 2022 IRC |
| UL 9540 (residential ESS) | Required |
| UL 9540A propagation test | Required |
| Residential ESS cap | 20 kWh / dwelling |
| NFPA 855 edition | 2020 |
Sources
- LAMC Sec. 93.0700 — California Electrical Code
- City of LA Ordinance 187714 (all-electric new construction)
- 2023 City of LA Building Code (ICC Digital Codes)
- 2023 City of LA Fire Code (ICC Digital Codes)
- LAFD Energy Storage Systems Requirement (Requirement 96)