Short answer: For Title 24 in San Diego, most permitted new construction, ADU and addition projects need an energy compliance report that shows the design meets California's Energy Code. Title24Comply prepares it online from your plans, starting at $199 for ADUs. Standard delivery is 2–3 business days.
San Diego is California's second-largest city. It sees a lot of ADU, residential and multifamily construction across coastal and inland neighborhoods with different climates.
San Diego's Climate and Your Energy Report
San Diego sits primarily in Climate Zone 7, one of California's mildest zones thanks to its coastal Mediterranean climate. Title 24 requirements here are less driven by heating and cooling than in inland zones. Even so, solar PV and heat pump requirements still apply under the 2025 code.
A mild climate does not mean a report is optional or automatic. The performance model still compares your design with a code-defined standard design for the same zone, and mandatory measures apply in every zone, including insulation minimums, duct sealing and ventilation. Because conditions change as you move inland from the coast, we set the zone from your exact address or ZIP rather than assuming Zone 7. See Zone 7 Title 24 requirements and Zone 7 solar and battery requirements.
Common Title 24 Projects in San Diego
We prepare Title 24 reports for all common residential project types in San Diego:
- New single-family home construction
- Room additions of any size
- ADUs and Junior ADUs including garage conversions
- Remodels and alterations affecting insulation, windows, or mechanical systems
- Multifamily duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes
- HVAC replacement projects
- Window replacement projects
Backyard ADUs and small multifamily
Backyard ADUs and JADUs are a steady share of San Diego residential permits, and many owners are also adding units to existing lots. A single ADU uses a CF1R. A building with several units may use the multifamily compliance path instead. CF1R vs LMCC explains the difference, and the San Diego ADU Title 24 guide covers local ADU context.
Cooling additions to older homes
Many older coastal homes were built without central air. Adding a heat pump or ducted system to an existing home can trigger HVAC alteration requirements even when no square footage is added. See HVAC replacement Title 24 and home addition Title 24 for how each is handled.
Submitting in the City of San Diego
Projects in the City of San Diego go through the Development Services Department. We format every report for San Diego submission. See our San Diego building department guide for submittal context. Neighboring cities such as Chula Vista, La Mesa and El Cajon, and unincorporated county areas, issue their own permits. Submit your report to whichever department has jurisdiction over your address.
What We Need, Pricing and Turnaround
Upload a PDF plan set with floor plans, elevations, sections, a window schedule and a site plan with a north arrow, and add the HVAC and water-heating equipment you plan to install. Preliminary plans are fine if you want an early check. See preliminary plans.
- ADU: from $199 (up to 1,000 sq ft included)
- Single-family residential: from $245 (projects under 3,500 sq ft included)
- Multifamily: from $345 per building
Standard turnaround is 2–3 business days, with 24-hour rush available. Two revisions are included. See Title 24 cost in San Diego and San Diego Title 24 requirements for more detail.
Nearby Cities
We also serve Chula Vista, Oceanside, El Cajon, Escondido, and all of San Diego County. Nearby pages include Chula Vista, La Mesa, National City, El Cajon, Escondido and Oceanside. Browse the San Diego County hub or the Southern California overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
What climate zone is San Diego in?
San Diego is primarily in Climate Zone 7. Inland areas can fall in a different zone, so the zone on your report is set by the project address or ZIP code.
Does a mild climate mean my San Diego project can skip Title 24?
No. Title 24 applies statewide. The climate changes which measures the design needs, not whether a report is required. See when Title 24 is required.
Do new San Diego homes need solar?
Most newly constructed single-family homes need solar PV under the Energy Code. Some ADUs and additions have exceptions, and the report determines what applies to your project.
How is the report delivered?
As a permit-ready PDF by email, registered with CHEERS where the project requires it. See what CHEERS is.
