Title 24: California's Building Energy Efficiency Standard

Title 24 is California's Building Standards Code — specifically Part 6, the California Energy Code. It sets minimum energy efficiency standards for all new construction and any permitted alterations or renovations to existing buildings statewide.

Title 24 is triggered any time a building owner pulls a permit for an alteration, renovation, or addition. This includes HVAC replacements, lighting upgrades, roof replacements, and any other work requiring a building permit. The compliance scope depends on the size and nature of the permitted work.

Title 24 Part 6 requires that any lighting work covered by a permit must meet current efficiency standards. This typically means replacing fluorescent or HID fixtures with LED equivalents that meet minimum efficacy requirements, and installing occupancy sensors and daylight controls in certain spaces.

A building that fails to meet Title 24 requirements during a permitted project will have its permit held or denied by the local building department. This can halt construction, delay project completion, and result in costly redesigns or equipment replacements.

Yes. Tenant improvements that require a building permit are subject to Title 24 compliance. The scope of compliance is generally limited to the areas covered by the permitted work, but certain thresholds can trigger whole-building compliance reviews.

California updates the Title 24 Energy Code approximately every three years. The 2022 Title 24 standards are currently in effect, with the 2025 update cycle expected to introduce stricter requirements for HVAC, lighting, and solar readiness.

Yes. GRD Consulting's Phase 2 service includes Title 24 compliance strategy as part of the energy audit process. We identify Title 24 obligations triggered by planned renovations and coordinate with contractors to ensure permitted work meets current standards.