Code Status: California

This page contains information about current energy codes in the state of California. Information for all 50 States is also available. California Code News.

Current State Codes
Code Adoption & Change Process
Energy Consumption Estimates
Construction Activity
Web Links
State Energy Code Contacts

Current State Codes

Residential Code: State developed code, Title 24, Part 6, exceeds 2006 IECC, and is mandatory statewide. Download the 2005 Residential Compliance Manual here.
Commercial Code: State developed code, Title 24, Part 6, meets or exceeds ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2004, and is mandatory statewide. Download the 2005 Nonresidential Compliance Manual here.
Code Change Cycle: Three-year code change cycle. The 2005 California Energy Efficiency Standards became effective October 1, 2005. The Commission adopted the new 2008 Standards on April 23, 2008. They will be effective January 1, 2010.

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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Regulatory

Code Change Process: The California Building Standards Commission (BSC) is responsible for administering California's building standards adoption, publication, and implementation processes of the California Code of Regulations, Title 24. Since 1989, the BSC has published triennial editions of Title 24 in its entirety every three years. Detailed information on code promulgation and amendment procedures may be found under supporting documents.

State Code History: The first statewide energy requirements were established in 1975 by the Department of Housing and Community Development for all low-rise residential buildings. In 1974 the California legislature passed the Warren-Alquist Act establishing the California Energy Commission and authorizing the Commission to establish energy requirements for both residential and commercial buildings.

Governor Schwarzenegger issued Executive Order S-20-04 on December 14, 2004, known as the Green Building Initiative. It laid out a comprehensive set of actions for California to take in order to improve energy efficiency in nonresidential buildings. The California Energy Commission was directed to undertake all actions within its authority to increase the efficiency requirements in the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards for nonresidential buildings by 20% by 2015.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has completed the rulemaking process for the 2008 Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings (Title 24, Part 6, of the California Code of Regulations). The Energy Commission adopted the 2008 Standards on April 23, 2008, and the Building Standards Commission approved them for publication on September 11, 2008.

The CEC has posted the final proposed version of the Residential Compliance Manual, which was certified by the CEC on December 17, 2008. It has also posted a final draft of the Nonresidential Compliance Manual, which will be considered for adoption at the CEC Business Meeting on January 14, 2009.

A first analysis of the 2008 code revealed an average energy performance at least 21% more efficient than ASHRAE 90.1-2004. Even better results are likely after more definitive testing. The effective date for the new standards has been pushed back from August 1, 2009 to January 1, 2010.

On February 2, 2009, a bill was introduced in the state assembly that would mandate "zero net energy" standards for residential buildings starting in 2020.

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Energy Consumption Estimates

The consumption estimates below are derived from the total end use of residential and commercial energy consumption in the United States in 2006, and are not limited to energy consumption based on building code-related factors. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Residential Sector: 1,552.3 Trillion BTU
Commercial Sector: 1,583.3 Trillion BTU
Total Energy Consumption: 3,135.6 Trillion BTU

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Construction Activity

Residential:

Population (2000 US Census)¹: 33,871,648
Total Housing Units²: 12,507,767
2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)³:
- total units: 203,724
- 1 unit: 146,774
- 2 units: 2,526
- 3 and 4 units: 5,580
- 5+ units: 48,844
- structures of 5+ units: 2,811

References:

Green Building Initiatives

300 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified Buildings
ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes Market Index of 12%
1355 ENERGY STAR Labeled Buildings and Plants

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Code Funding Opportunities

There are two funding opportunities under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA): Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants and State Energy Program. Please reference the U.S. Department of Energy for California's allocated amount and updated information.