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Chapter 8 — COMPLIANCE FORMS, WORKSHEETS AND REFERENCE MATERIAL

Section A4.601 — GENERAL

2025 California Green Building Standards Code (Title 24, Part 11) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · California

A4.601.1 Scope. The measures contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless adopted by a city, county, or city and county as specified in Section 101.7. The provisions of this section outline means of achieving enhanced construction or reach levels by incorporating additional green building measures. In order to meet one of the tier levels designers, builders or property owners are required to incorporate additional green building measures necessary to meet the threshold of each level.

A4.601.2 Prerequisite measures. Tier 1 and Tier 2 thresholds require compliance with the mandatory provisions of this code and incorporation of the required prerequisite measures listed in Section A4.601.4.2 for Tier 1 and A4.601.5.2 for Tier 2. Prerequisite measures are also identified in the Residential Occupancies Application Checklist in Section A4.602.

As specified in Section 101.7, additional prerequisite measures may be included by the enforcing agency to address specific local environmental conditions and may be listed in the Innovative Concepts and Local Environmental Conditions portions of the checklist.

A4.601.3 Elective measures. In addition to the required measures, Tier 1 and Tier 2 buildings must incorporate at least the number of elective measures specified in Sections A4.601.4.2 and A4.601.5.2.

A4.601.4 Tier 1. To achieve Tier 1 status a project must comply with the following:

A4.601.4.1 Mandatory measures for Tier 1. The project shall meet or exceed all of the mandatory measures in Chapter 4, Divisions 4.1 through 4.5 and Chapter 7 as applicable.

A4.601.4.2 Prerequisite and elective measures for Tier 1. In addition to the mandatory measures, compliance with the following prerequisite and elective measures from Appendix A4 is also required to achieve Tier 1 status:

  1. From Division A4.1, Planning and Design. 1.1. Comply with the topsoil protection requirements in Section A4.106.2.3. 1.2. Comply with the 20 percent permeable paving requirements in Section A4.106.4. 1.3. Comply with the cool roof requirements in Section A4.106.5. 1.4. Comply with the Tier 1 electric vehicle (EV) charging requirements in Section A4.106.8. 1.5. Comply with at least two elective measures selected from Division A4.1.
  2. From Division A4.2, Energy Efficiency. 2.1. For newly constructed low-rise residential buildings, comply with the energy efficiency requirements in Sections A4.203.1, A4.203.1.1, Table A4.203.1.1, A4.203.1.2 and A4.203.1.3.

.5. 1.4. Comply with the Tier 1 electric vehicle (EV) charging requirements in Section A4.106.8. 1.5. Comply with at least two elective measures selected from Division A4.1. 2. From Division A4.2, Energy Efficiency. 2.1. For newly constructed low-rise residential buildings, comply with the energy efficiency requirements in Sections A4.203.1, A4.203.1.1, Table A4.203.1.1, A4.203.1.2 and A4.203.1.3.

  1. From Division A4.3, Water Efficiency and Conservation. 3.1. Comply with at least two elective measures selected from Division A4.3.
  2. From Division A4.4, Material Conservation and Resource Efficiency. 4.1. Comply with the 20 percent cement reduction requirements in Section A4.403.2. 4.2. Comply with the 10 percent recycled content requirements in Section A4.405.3.1. 4.3. Comply with the 65 percent reduction in construction waste in Section A4.408.1. 4.4. Comply with at least two elective measures selected from Division A4.4.
  3. From Division A4.5, Environmental Quality. 5.1. Comply with the 90 percent resilient flooring systems requirements in Section A4.504.2. 5.2. Comply with the thermal insulation requirements for Tier 1 in Section A4.504.3. 5.3. Comply with at least one elective measure selected from Division A4.5.

Note: The Residential Occupancies Application Checklist contained in Section A4.602 may be used to show which elective measures are selected.

A4.601.5 Tier 2. To achieve Tier 2 status a project must comply with the following.

Note: The measures necessary to achieve Tier 2 status are very stringent. Cities, counties, and cities and counties considering adoption of Tier 2 as mandatory should carefully consider the stringency of each measure and ensure that the measures are achievable in their location.

A4.601.5.1 Mandatory measures for Tier 2. The project shall meet or exceed all of the mandatory measures in Chapter 4, Divisions 4.1 through 4.5 and Chapter 7 as applicable.

A4.601.5.2 Prerequisite and elective measures for Tier 2. In addition to the mandatory measures, compliance with the following prerequisite and elective measures from Appendix A4 is also required to achieve Tier 2 status.

  1. From Division A4.1, Planning and Design.

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

APPENDIX A4 — RESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

1.1. Comply with the topsoil protection requirements for Tier 1 and Tier 2 in Section A4.106.2.3. 1.2. Comply with the 30 percent permeable paving requirements in Section A4.106.4. 1.3. Comply with the cool roof requirements in Section A4.106.5. 1.4. Comply with the Tier 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging requirements in Section A4.106.8. 1.5. Comply with at least four elective measures selected from Division A4.1. 2. From Division A4.2, Energy Efficiency. 2.1. For newly constructed low-rise residential buildings, comply with the energy efficiency requirements in Sections A4.203.1, A4.203.1.1, Table A4.203.1.1, A4.203.1.2 and A4.203.1.3.

1.4. Comply with the Tier 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging requirements in Section A4.106.8. 1.5. Comply with at least four elective measures selected from Division A4.1. 2. From Division A4.2, Energy Efficiency. 2.1. For newly constructed low-rise residential buildings, comply with the energy efficiency requirements in Sections A4.203.1, A4.203.1.1, Table A4.203.1.1, A4.203.1.2 and A4.203.1.3.

  1. From Division A4.3, Water Efficiency and Conservation. 3.1. Comply with at least three elective measures selected from Division A4.3.
  2. From Division A4.4, Material Conservation and Resource Efficiency. 4.1. Comply with the 25 percent cement reduction requirements in Section A4.403.2. 4.2. Comply with the 15 percent recycled content requirements in Section A4.405.3.1. 4.3. Comply with the 75 percent reduction in construction waste in Section A4.408.1. 4.4. Comply with at least four elective measures selected from Division A4.4.
  3. From Division A4.5, Environmental Quality. 5.1. Comply with the 100 percent resilient flooring systems requirements in Section A4.504.2. 5.2. Comply with the thermal insulation requirements for Tier 1 and Tier 2 in Section A4.504.3. 5.3. Comply with at least one elective measure selected from Division A4.5.

Note: The Residential Occupancies Application Checklist contained in Section A4.602 may be used to show which elective measures are selected.

APPENDIX A4-22 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

DIVISION A4.6 – TIER 1 AND TIER 2

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Green Building Standards Code (Title 24, Part 11)
2025 California Green Building Standards Code (Title 24, Part 11)
  1. Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — GREEN BUILDING
  4. Chapter 4 — RESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
  5. Chapter 4 — RESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
  6. Chapter 4 — RESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
  7. Chapter 4 — RESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
  8. Chapter 4 — RESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
  9. Chapter 5 — NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
  10. Chapter 5 — NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
  11. Chapter 5 — NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
  12. Chapter 5 — NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
  13. Chapter 5 — NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
  14. Chapter 6 — REFERENCED ORGANIZATIONS AND STANDARDS
  15. Chapter 7 — INSTALLER AND SPECIAL INSPECTOR QUALIFICATIONS
  16. ▸ Chapter 8 — COMPLIANCE FORMS, WORKSHEETS AND REFERENCE MATERIAL
    Overview
    1. Section A4.101 — GENERAL
    2. Section A4.102 — DEFINITIONS
    3. Section A4.103 — SITE SELECTION
    4. Section A4.104 — SITE PRESERVATION
    5. Section A4.105 — DECONSTRUCTION AND REUSE OF EXISTING MATERIALS
    6. Section A4.106 — SITE DEVELOPMENT
    7. Section A4.107
    8. Section A4.108 — INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS AND LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL C…
    9. Section A4.201 — GENERAL
    10. Section A4.202 — DEFINITIONS
    11. Section A4.203 — PERFORMANCE APPROACH FOR NEWLY CONSTRUCTED BU…
    12. Section A4.204 — REQUIREMENTS FOR ALTERATIONS TO EXISTING BUIL…
    13. Section A4.301 — GENERAL
    14. Section A4.302 — DEFINITIONS
    15. Section A4.303 — INDOOR WATER USE
    16. Section A4.304 — OUTDOOR WATER USE
    17. Section A4.305 — WATER REUSE SYSTEMS
    18. Section A4.306 — INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS AND LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL C…
    19. Section A4.401 — GENERAL
    20. Section A4.402 — DEFINITIONS
    21. Section A4.403 — FOUNDATION SYSTEMS
    22. Section A4.404 — EFFICIENT FRAMING TECHNIQUES
    23. Section A4.405 — MATERIAL SOURCES
    24. Section A4.406 — ENHANCED DURABILITY AND REDUCED MAINTENANCE
    25. Section A4.407 — WATER RESISTANCE AND MOISTURE MANAGEMENT
    26. Section A4.408 — CONSTRUCTION WASTE REDUCTION, DISPOSAL AND RE…
    27. Section A4.409 — LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
    28. Section A4.410 — BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION
    29. Section A4.411 — INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS AND LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL C…
    30. Section A4.501 — GENERAL
    31. Section A4.502 — DEFINITIONS
    32. Section A4.503 — FIREPLACES
    33. Section A4.504 — POLLUTANT CONTROL
    34. Section A4.505 — INTERIOR MOISTURE CONTROL
    35. Section A4.506 — INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND EXHAUST
    36. Section A4.507 — ENVIRONMENTAL COMFORT
    37. Section A4.508 — OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY
    38. Section A4.509 — INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS AND LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL C…
    39. Section A4.601 — GENERAL
    40. Section A4.602 — RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES APPLICATION CHECKLIST
    41. Section A4.602 — RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES APPLICATION CHECKLIST…
    42. Section A4.602 — RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES APPLICATION CHECKLIST…
    43. Section A4.602 — RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES APPLICATION CHECKLIST…
    44. Section A4.602 — RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES APPLICATION CHECKLIST…
    45. Section A4.602 — RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES APPLICATION CHECKLIST…
    46. Section A4.602 — RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES APPLICATION CHECKLIST…
    47. Section A5.101 — GENERAL
    48. Section A5.102 — DEFINITIONS
    49. Section A5.103 — SITE SELECTION
    50. Section A5.104 — SITE PRESERVATION
    51. Section A5.105 — DECONSTRUCTION AND REUSE OF EXISTING STRUCTURES
    52. Section A5.106 — SITE DEVELOPMENT
    53. Section A5.107 — BIRD-FRIENDLY BUILDING DESIGN
    54. Section A5.201 — GENERAL
    55. Section A5.202 — DEFINITIONS
    56. Section A5.203 — PERFORMANCE APPROACH
    57. Section A5.204 — MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALTERATIONS TO EXI…
    58. Section A5.211 — RESERVED
    59. Section A5.212 — ELEVATORS, ESCALATORS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT
    60. Section A5.213 — ENERGY EFFICIENT FRAMING
    61. Section A5.301 — GENERAL
    62. Section A5.302 — DEFINITIONS
    63. Section A5.303 — INDOOR WATER USE
    64. Section A5.304 — OUTDOOR WATER USE
    65. Section A5.305 — WATER REUSE
    66. Section A5.401 — GENERAL
    67. Section A5.402 — DEFINITIONS
    68. Section A5.403 — FOUNDATION SYSTEMS
    69. Section A5.404 — EFFICIENT FRAMING TECHNIQUES
    70. Section A5.405 — MATERIAL SOURCES
    71. Section A5.406 — ENHANCED DURABILITY AND REDUCED MAINTENANCE
    72. Section A5.408 — CONSTRUCTION WASTE REDUCTION, DISPOSAL AND RE…
    73. Section A5.409 — LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
    74. Section A5.501 — GENERAL
    75. Section A5.502 — DEFINITIONS
    76. Section A5.504 — POLLUTANT CONTROL
    77. Section A5.507 — ENVIRONMENTAL COMFORT
    78. Section A5.508 — OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY
    79. Section A6.106 — SITE DEVELOPMENT
    80. Section A6.202 — DEFINITIONS
    81. Section A6.203 — PERFORMANCE APPROACH
    82. Section A6.204 — PRESCRIPTIVE APPROACH
    83. Section A6.205 — [OSHPD 1 & 4]—BUILDING ENVELOPE
    84. Section A6.207 — [OSHPD 1, 2 & 4]—HVAC DESIGN, EQUIPMENT AND I…
    85. Section A6.210 — [OSHPD 1, 2 & 4]—APPLIANCES
    86. Section A6.401 — GENERAL
    87. Section A6.407 — [OSHPD 1, 2 & 4]—WATER RESISTANCE AND MOISTUR…
    88. Section A6.408 — CONSTRUCTION WASTE REDUCTION, DISPOSAL AND RE…
    89. Section A6.410 — BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION
    90. Section A6.504 — POLLUTANT CONTROL
    91. Section A6.505 — [OSHPD 1, 2 & 4]—INDOOR MOISTURE CONTROL

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