Local authority · Illinois
Cook County — energy & appliance code adoption
Yes — effectively. Illinois has no statewide residential building or electrical code. Cook County's Building & Zoning Ordinance is the operative authority for unincorporated areas (Chicago and many suburbs are separate AHJs). Below: how Cook County differs from Illinois on appliance listing, NEC, fire code, and energy storage, with sources.
Is UL 858 required in Cook County?
Yes — effectively. Cook County 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.
Are NRTL-listed (UL / ETL / CSA) appliances required in Cook County?
Yes. Cook County's adopted code requires fixed electrical appliances to be listed by an NRTL (UL, ETL/Intertek, CSA, etc.) — Cook County Building Ordinance / NEC 110.3(B). NRTL listing required; installed per the listing.
Which edition of the NEC does Cook County use?
Cook County has adopted the 2020 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Cook County Building Ordinance (Ch. 102, Art. III) incorporates the 2020 NEC with local amendments; applies to unincorporated areas and contracting suburbs.
Is UL 9540 required for residential energy storage in Cook County?
Yes. Cook County's adopted code requires UL 9540 listing for stationary energy storage systems (ESS) in dwellings. Applies to unincorporated areas; many suburbs adopt independently. IRC Appendix AW not adopted countywide; IFC §1207 controls residential ESS.
Is UL 9540A fire-propagation testing required in Cook County?
Yes — effectively. Cook County requires NRTL listing for energy storage systems, and UL 9540A is the controlling standard.
What is the residential energy-storage capacity limit in Cook County?
Cook County limits residential energy storage to 20 kWh per dwelling unit.
Which fire code does Cook County enforce?
Cook County enforces IFC 2018. Cook County Fire Prevention Ordinance references 2018 IFC; OFM enforces in unincorporated areas.
Code adoption summary
| NEC edition | 2020 NEC |
|---|---|
| Appliance listing (UL 858) | Effectively required |
| NRTL listing requirement | Required |
| Fire code | IFC 2018 |
| IRC edition | 2018 IRC |
| UL 9540 (residential ESS) | Required |
| UL 9540A propagation test | Effectively required |
| Residential ESS cap | 20 kWh / dwelling |
| NFPA 855 edition | 2017 |
Sources
- Cook County Building & Zoning Department
- Cook County Code of Ordinances Ch. 102 — Buildings (Municode)