Short answer: Title 24 is the California Building Standards Code. When people say "Title 24" on a construction project, they usually mean Part 6 — the Building Energy Efficiency Standards. A Title 24 report (also called a Title 24 energy report or energy compliance report) is the document that shows a building design meets those energy standards, and most building departments require it before they issue a permit.
What Is Title 24?
Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations is the state's building code. It has many parts — structural, electrical, plumbing, fire, accessibility and green building (CALGreen) among them. Part 6 is the energy code, written and updated by the California Energy Commission (CEC). It sets minimum energy-efficiency requirements for new buildings, additions and many alterations to both homes and commercial buildings.
California has enforced energy standards since 1978, and the code is updated roughly every three years. The current code cycle is the 2025 Title 24 Standards, which apply to permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026. You can read more about how the code is organized on our Title 24 code guide.
What Is a Title 24 Report?
A Title 24 energy compliance report is a document prepared by an energy consultant that demonstrates your project meets California's energy standards as part of the building permit process.
The report is submitted to your local building department as part of the permit package, and most California jurisdictions require it before permit approval can be issued. For most homes and ADUs the main compliance document is the CF1R (Certificate of Compliance); for low-rise multifamily buildings it is the LMCC. Commercial (nonresidential) projects use the NRCC family of forms.
What is Title 24 in construction?
On a construction project, "Title 24" is shorthand for the energy paperwork that has to be approved before work starts. Architects and designers show the energy features on the plans, the Title 24 report proves those features meet the code, and the building inspector later checks that what was built matches the approved documents.
What a Title 24 Energy Report Covers
Title 24 reports cover insulation levels, window glazing, HVAC systems, water heating, lighting, and in newer code cycles, solar and battery storage requirements. The specific requirements depend on your climate zone, building type, and scope of work.
| Area of the building | What the report looks at |
|---|---|
| Building envelope | Wall, roof/ceiling and floor insulation; construction assemblies; air-tightness assumptions |
| Windows and doors | Glazing area and the U-factor and SHGC ratings of each window and glazed door |
| Heating and cooling | Equipment type and efficiency, duct location and sealing, heat pumps |
| Water heating | Water heater type (heat pump, gas, tankless) and efficiency |
| Ventilation and lighting | Indoor air quality ventilation and mandatory lighting measures |
| Solar and battery | Solar PV and battery requirements where they apply to the project |
Most residential reports use the performance method: the design is modeled in CEC-approved compliance software and compared with a code-compliant "standard design" for the same house in the same climate zone. If the proposed design uses no more energy than the standard design, it complies. We explain the modeling step in detail in Title 24 calculations.
Who Needs a Title 24 Report?
Anyone pulling a building permit in California for new construction, an addition, or a significant alteration will likely need one. This includes homeowners, contractors, architects, and developers. The two main residential report types are the CF1R (for single-family residential and ADUs) and the LMCC (for low-rise multifamily buildings).
Common projects that trigger a report include:
- ADUs, including detached units, attached units and garage conversions
- New single-family homes and duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes
- Room and second-story additions
- Alterations such as HVAC changeouts and window replacements, depending on scope
Some small or cosmetic projects are not affected. See when Title 24 is required for the common triggers and exceptions, and Title 24 requirements for what the code asks of each part of a building.
What You Receive From Title24Comply
When you order, you upload your plans and project details online. We prepare the energy model and deliver a permit-ready PDF by email — typically in 2–3 business days, with rush options available. Where the project requires it, the report is registered with the CHEERS data registry so your HERS rater and building department can access it. Two revisions are included if plan check comments or design changes require updates. See what happens after you order and which documents to upload.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Title 24 report the same as a CF1R?
For most single-family homes and ADUs, yes — the CF1R is the certificate of compliance at the heart of the Title 24 report. Multifamily and commercial projects use different forms. See CF1R vs LMCC.
Is a Title 24 report the same as a HERS inspection?
No. The Title 24 report is prepared from the plans before the permit. HERS verification happens in the field after installation, when a rater tests items the report flagged. See what a HERS report is.
How much does a Title 24 report cost?
Title24Comply reports start at $199 for ADUs, $245 for single-family residential and $345 for multifamily. See Title 24 report cost for what affects the price.
How long does a Title 24 report take?
Standard turnaround is 2–3 business days after we receive complete plans. See turnaround times and rush service.
