Short answer: The Title 24 code is the California Building Standards Code — Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. It is divided into parts covering building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire, green building and energy. When people mention Title 24 on a permit, they usually mean Part 6, the Building Energy Efficiency Standards. The current cycle is the 2025 Energy Code, which applies to permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026.
What Is the Title 24 Code?
Title 24 is the set of building regulations every California project is designed and permitted under. Each part covers a different discipline, and your building department enforces them together. Most parts are based on national model codes with California amendments; the Energy Code in Part 6 is written specifically for California.
The Parts of Title 24
These are the parts most residential projects deal with:
| Part | Name | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Part 2 | California Building Code | Structural, fire-resistance, egress and general building requirements, mainly for nonresidential and larger buildings; includes Chapter 7A for wildfire areas |
| Part 2.5 | California Residential Code | Building requirements for one- and two-family homes and townhouses |
| Part 3 | California Electrical Code | Wiring, circuits and electrical equipment |
| Part 4 | California Mechanical Code | Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and ductwork installation |
| Part 5 | California Plumbing Code | Water supply, drainage, venting and fixtures |
| Part 6 | California Energy Code (Building Energy Efficiency Standards) | Energy efficiency of the envelope, windows, HVAC, water heating, ventilation, lighting, solar PV and battery storage |
| Part 9 | California Fire Code | Fire prevention, fire protection systems and hazardous materials |
| Part 11 | California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) | Sustainability measures such as water conservation, EV readiness and construction waste |
A Title 24 energy report deals only with Part 6. See what a Title 24 report is.
Title 24 Part 6: The California Energy Code
Title 24 Part 6 sets minimum energy-efficiency standards for new buildings, additions and many alterations, for both residential and nonresidential projects. It has been in place since 1978. Part 6 includes mandatory measures that always apply, prescriptive requirements that vary by climate zone, and a performance path that lets designers model the whole building in CEC-approved software. For what it asks of each building system, see Title 24 requirements; for how compliance is modeled, see Title 24 calculations.
The Reference Appendices
Part 6 is supported by the Reference Appendices, a separate volume the code points to for technical detail. They are grouped as Joint Appendices (JA), which apply to both residential and nonresidential buildings, plus Residential and Nonresidential Appendices. They include items such as climate zone definitions, HERS field verification procedures and qualification requirements for products such as solar and battery systems.
CEC vs CBSC: Who Writes Title 24?
Two state agencies are involved, and they are often confused.
- The California Energy Commission (CEC) develops and adopts the Energy Code in Part 6, approves compliance software and oversees the HERS program, including approved data registries such as CHEERS.
- The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) oversees the full Title 24 code and publishes it. Other agencies propose the parts within their areas.
For energy questions, the CEC is the source. Local building departments enforce both through plan check and inspection.
The Three-Year Code Cycle
Title 24 is updated about every three years. The energy code has moved steadily toward all-electric, high-efficiency buildings: the 2019 Standards introduced solar PV for most new single-family homes, and the 2022 Standards, effective January 1, 2023, placed strong emphasis on heat pumps and electric-ready measures.
Title 24 in 2026: The 2025 Energy Code
"Title 24 2026" refers to the 2025 Energy Code, which applies to permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026. It continues the emphasis on heat pumps and electric-ready construction. Under this cycle the CEC refers to field verification as ECC (Energy Code Compliance) verification, although many people still say HERS — see HERS raters and Title 24 reports. Form names can also change between code cycles, so older CF1R examples may not match the current forms exactly — see what a CF1R is.
What the code cycle means for your permit
The code cycle in effect when your permit application is submitted is the one your project must meet. Plans submitted before January 1, 2026 generally stay under the 2022 Standards; applications submitted on or after that date use the 2025 Standards. If a permit expires and you reapply, the newer code may apply. Title24Comply models every project in CEC-approved software for the applicable cycle, so tell us when you plan to submit. See building department acceptance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is JA12?
Joint Appendix 12 (JA12) in the Reference Appendices covers qualification requirements for battery storage systems used for Energy Code compliance. Requirements can change between cycles, so verify the details in the current Reference Appendices.
Is Chapter 7A part of the energy code?
No. Chapter 7A is in Part 2, the California Building Code. It covers construction materials and methods for wildfire-prone areas (wildland-urban interface), not energy efficiency. A project can be subject to both.
Is Title 24 the same as CALGreen?
No. CALGreen is Part 11 and covers green building measures. The Energy Code is Part 6. Both are part of Title 24 and both may apply to your project.
Where can I read the Title 24 code?
The CEC publishes the Energy Code, Reference Appendices and compliance manuals on its website, and the CBSC publishes the full Title 24 code.
Do I need a Title 24 report under the 2025 code?
Most new homes, ADUs, additions and many alterations do. See when Title 24 is required, then order your report online.
