Title 24 Compliance in California
Title 24 is Part 6 of the California Building Standards Code — the state’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards. Every new home, commercial building, addition, and major renovation in California must demonstrate Title 24 compliance before a permit is issued. 5 Star Energy is a certified provider of Title 24 reports and energy compliance documentation, serving builders, architects, contractors, and homeowners statewide from our Redding, CA office with a fast 1-3 business day turnaround.
A Title 24 compliance report is the document your building department requires to confirm that your project’s design meets California’s energy code. Get the report right the first time and your plans clear plan check without costly delays.
What Is a Title 24 Report?
A Title 24 report — often called a Certificate of Compliance or a Title 24 energy report — analyzes how a building’s design performs against the Part 6 energy standards. Our certified energy consultants model your project and document compliance across every regulated system:
- Building envelope — insulation, air sealing, thermal bridging, and continuous insulation
- Windows and glazing — U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
- HVAC systems — equipment efficiency, sizing, and duct design
- Lighting — residential and nonresidential lighting power density
- Water heating — equipment type, efficiency, and solar-ready requirements
The finished Title 24 report proves your building meets or exceeds California’s minimum energy performance requirements, so you can obtain your permit and Certificate of Occupancy.
Title 24 for Residential and Commercial Projects
Title 24, Part 6 applies to both residential and commercial construction throughout California. Whether you are building a single-family home, a multifamily development, or a nonresidential commercial building, the code requires a compliant energy report. 5 Star Energy prepares Title 24 documentation for:
- New single-family and multifamily residential construction
- Room additions and significant residential alterations
- Nonresidential and commercial new construction and tenant improvements
- Mixed-use developments
Our Title 24 reports pair naturally with our Title 24 energy calculations for the design-phase compliance model, and — after construction — our HERS testing and field verification confirms the building was built to those compliant plans.
The 2025 Energy Code — Effective January 1, 2026
California updates its Title 24 energy standards on a three-year cycle. The 2025 Energy Code was published on July 1, 2025 and becomes effective January 1, 2026, replacing the 2022 code. If your project pulls its permit on or after that date, your Title 24 report must be modeled against the 2025 standards. Key changes in the 2025 code include:
- Heat-pump-first baseline — heat-pump space heating and water heating set the standard design for many building types
- Expanded electric-ready and solar/battery-ready requirements for new residential and nonresidential buildings
- Tighter envelope, insulation, and ventilation provisions
- Updated multifamily and nonresidential compliance pathways
Modeling your project against the wrong code cycle is a common cause of plan-check rejections. Our certified Title 24 consultants track every code update so your report reflects the exact standards your building department will enforce.
The Title 24 Compliance Workflow
A compliant project moves through three clear stages, and 5 Star Energy supports all of them:
- Title 24 energy calculations — during design, we model your building and run the Title 24 calculations that prove code compliance
- Certificate of Compliance (CF1R) — we produce the signed CF1R document your building department requires to issue the permit
- HERS field verification — after construction, an independent certified HERS rater performs HERS testing to confirm the building was built to the compliant plans, generating the Certificate of Verification (CF3R) for final sign-off
This includes coordination on Title 24 HVAC requirements — equipment efficiency, duct design, and sizing — which flow from the design calculations through to HERS field verification.
How Much Does a Title 24 Report Cost in California?
Title 24 report pricing depends on project type, square footage, and complexity. As a general guide, a straightforward residential Title 24 report often runs from a few hundred dollars, while larger custom homes, additions, and commercial or multifamily projects cost more because they require more detailed energy modeling. Because every project is different, 5 Star Energy provides a free, project-specific quote — there is no charge to get an estimate. Call (530) 275-3350 and we’ll price your Title 24 report up front, with no surprises.
California Climate Zones and Title 24
California is divided into 16 climate zones, and Title 24 requirements change from one zone to the next. A design that complies in coastal Climate Zone 3 may fail in the hot inland Climate Zone 11 around Redding and the Central Valley. Our team models your project against the correct zone and local energy ordinances — see our guide to California’s Title 24 climate zones for a deeper explanation. Getting the climate zone right is one of the most common reasons projects pass or fail plan check.
Our Title 24 Report Process
- Consultation — We review your project scope, timeline, and building type
- Plan Review — Our certified consultants analyze your architectural and mechanical plans
- Energy Modeling — We run the Title 24 compliance analysis using state-approved software
- Report Delivery — You receive a complete, permit-ready Title 24 compliance report
- Plan Check Support — We help you resolve any building-department comments
Why Choose 5 Star Energy for Title 24 Compliance?
- Certified experts — deep knowledge of Title 24, Part 6 and every code cycle update
- Fast turnaround — most residential reports delivered in 1-3 business days
- Statewide coverage — all 16 California climate zones, residential and commercial
- Complete energy services — Title 24, Manual J/D/S HVAC design, 45L tax credit certification, HERS testing, and a certified HERS rater under one roof
- Cost-effective — solutions that prioritize the owner’s long-term energy savings
To go deeper on the code itself, read our overview of Title 24 compliance or browse all of our Title 24 resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Title 24? Title 24 is Part 6 of the California Building Standards Code — the state’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards. A Title 24 compliance report documents how your project meets those standards so you can pull a permit.
What is the Title 24 law in California? It is California’s legally mandated Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6), enforced by the California Energy Commission and local building departments. New construction and many alterations must meet it before a permit is issued.
What are the changes in Title 24 for 2026? The 2025 Energy Code takes effect January 1, 2026, emphasizing heat-pump heating, expanded electric- and solar/battery-ready requirements, and tighter envelope and ventilation standards. Projects permitted on or after that date must comply with it.
When do I need a Title 24 report? You need one for new construction, additions, and most significant alterations in California, before the building department will issue a permit or Certificate of Occupancy.
How long does a Title 24 report take? Most residential Title 24 reports are completed within 1-3 business days. Commercial projects may take longer depending on complexity.
How much does a Title 24 report cost? Pricing varies by project size and complexity. Contact us at (530) 275-3350 for a free quote tailored to your project.
Ready to get your building Title 24 compliant? Contact 5 Star Energy today at (530) 275-3350 for a free consultation.