Occupancy sensing requirements, sensor zoning and office sensor rules

Grounded in the retrieved California Energy Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

• § 160.5 High relevance — show source text

  The occupant sensing controls shall be capable of automatically turning the lighting fully ON only in the separately controlled space, and shall be automatically activated from all designed paths of egress. b. In office spaces greater than 250 square feet, general lighting shall be controlled by occupancy sensing controls that meet all of the following: I. The occupancy sensing controls shall be configured so that lighting shall be controlled separately in control zones not greater than 600 square feet. All control zones in offices greater than 250 square feet shall be shown on the plans; and II. In 20 minutes or less after the control zone is unoccupied, the occupancy sensing controls shall uniformly reduce lighting power in the control zone to no more than 20 percent of full power. Control functions that switch control zone lights completely off when the zone is vacant meet this requirement; and III. In 20 minutes or less after the entire office space is unoccupied, the occupancy sensing controls shall automatically turn off lighting in all control zones in the space; and IV. In each control zone, lighting shall be allowed to automatically turn on to any level up to full power upon occupancy within the control zone. When occupancy is detected in any control zone in the space, the lighting in other control zones that are unoccupied shall operate at no more than 20 percent of full power. Exception to Section 160.5(b)4Cvib: Under-shelf or furniture-mounted task lighting controlled by a local switch and either a time switch or an occupancy sensor. c. In parking garages, parking areas, and loading and unloading areas, general lighting shall be controlled by occupant sensing controls that meet the requirements below instead of complying with Section 160.5(b)4Ci: i. The occupant sensing controls shall uniformly reduce lighting power in the control zone to between 20 percent and 50 percent of full power and with at least one control step; and ii. No more than 500 watts of rated lighting power shall be controlled together as a single zone; and iii. The occupant sensing controls shall be capable of automatically turning the lighting fully ON only in the separately controlled zone and shall be automatically activated from all designed paths of egress. Interior areas of parking garages are under the classification of indoor lighting and shall comply with Section 160.5(b)4Cvic. Parking areas on the roof of a parking structure are under the classification of outdoor hardscape and shall comply with Section 160.5(c). D. Daylight responsive controls. Daylight responsive controls shall be installed in the following locations, as applicable: i. In any enclosed space where the total installed wattage of general lighting luminaires completely or partially within skylit daylit zones is 75 watts or greater, the general lighting in the skylit daylit zones shall be controlled by daylight responsive controls. ii. In any enclosed space where the total installed wattage of general lighting luminaires completely or partially within primary sidelit daylit zones is 75 watts or greater, the general lighting in the primary sidelit daylit zones shall be controlled by daylight responsive controls. iii. In any enclosed space where the total wattage of general lighting luminaires in the secondary zones is 75 watts or greater, the general lighting in the secondary sidelit daylit zones shall be controlled by daylight responsive controls. General lighting in the secondary sidelit daylit zones shall be controlled independently of general lighting in the primary sidelit daylit zones. iv. For skylights located in an atrium, the skylit daylit zones shall apply to the floor area directly under the atrium and the top floor area directly adjacent to the atrium.

• § 130.1 High relevance — show source text

  The occupant sensing controls shall be capable of automatically turning the lighting fully ON only in the separately controlled space, and shall be automatically activated from all designed paths of egress. Lighting in stairwells and common area corridors that provide access to guestrooms of hotel/motels shall meet the requirements of this section instead of complying with Section 130.1(c)1. D. In office spaces greater than 250 square feet, general lighting shall be controlled with occupant sensing controls that meet all of the following: i. The occupant sensing controls shall be configured so that lighting shall be controlled separately in control zones not greater than 600 square feet. All control zones in offices greater than 250 square feet shall be shown on the plans; and ii. In 20 minutes or less after the control zone is unoccupied, the occupant sensing controls shall uniformly reduce lighting power in the control zone to no more than 20 percent of full power. Control functions that switch control zone lights completely off when the zone is vacant meet this requirement; and iii. In 20 minutes or less after the entire office space is unoccupied, the occupant sensing controls shall automatically turn off lighting in all control zones in the space; and iv. In each control zone, lighting shall be allowed to automatically turn on to any level up to full power upon occupancy within the control zone. When occupancy is detected in any control zone in the space, the lighting in other control zones that are unoccupied shall operate at no more than 20 percent of full power. Exception to Section 130.1(c)6D: Under-shelf or furniture-mounted task lighting controlled by a local switch and either a time switch or an occupancy sensor. E. In parking garages, parking areas and loading and unloading areas, general lighting shall be controlled by occupant sensing controls that meet the requirements below instead of complying with Section 130.1(c)1: i. The occupant sensing controls shall uniformly reduce lighting power in the control zone to between 20 percent and 50 percent of full power and with at least one control step; and ii. No more than 500 watts of rated lighting power shall be controlled together as a single zone; and iii. The occupant sensing controls shall be capable of automatically turning the lighting fully ON only in the separately controlled zone and shall be automatically activated from all designed paths of egress. Interior areas of parking garages are under the classification of indoor lighting and shall comply with Section 130.1(c)6E. Parking areas on the roof of a parking structure are under the classification of outdoor hardscape and shall comply with Section 130.2.

  7. Reserved.

  8. Hotel/motel guest rooms shall be controlled with one of the following controls such that, no longer than 20 minutes after the guest room has been vacated, lighting power is switched off: i. Captive card key controls; or ii. Occupant sensing controls; or

  iii. Other automatic controls.

  Exception to Section 130.1(c)8: A high-efficacy luminaire that meets the requirements in Section 150.0(k)1A and that is switched separately with the switch located within 6 feet of the entry door.

  (d) Daylight responsive controls.

  1. Daylight responsive controls shall be installed in the following locations as applicable: A. In any enclosed space where the total installed wattage of general lighting luminaires completely or partially within skylit daylit zones is 75 watts or greater, the general lighting in the skylit daylit zones shall be controlled by daylight responsive controls.
• § 130.1 High relevance — show source text

  ** For warehouse aisle ways, warehouse open areas, library book stack aisles, corridors, stairwells, offices greater than 250 square feet, parking garages, parking areas, loading areas, and unloading areas, the installed lighting shall meet the following requirements: A. In warehouse aisle ways and warehouse open areas, lighting shall be controlled with occupant sensing controls that automatically reduce lighting power by at least 50 percent when the areas are unoccupied. The occupant

  2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE 97

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  NONRESIDENTIAL AND HOTEL/MOTEL OCCUPANCIES—MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR LIGHTING SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT, AND ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

  sensing controls shall independently control lighting in each warehouse aisle way, and shall not control lighting beyond the aisle way being controlled by the sensor. Exception to Section 130.1(c)6A: When metal halide lighting or high pressure sodium lighting is installed in warehouses, occupant sensing controls shall reduce lighting power by at least 40 percent. B. In library book stack aisles 10 feet or longer that are accessible from only one end, and library book stack aisles 20 feet or longer that are accessible from both ends, lighting shall be controlled with occupant sensing controls that automatically reduce lighting power by at least 50 percent when the areas are unoccupied. The occupant sensing controls shall independently control lighting in each aisle way, and shall not control lighting beyond the aisle way being controlled by the sensor. C. In corridors and stairwells, lighting shall be controlled by occupant sensing controls that separately reduce the lighting power in each space by at least 50 percent when the space is unoccupied. The occupant sensing controls shall be capable of automatically turning the lighting fully ON only in the separately controlled space, and shall be automatically activated from all designed paths of egress. Lighting in stairwells and common area corridors that provide access to guestrooms of hotel/motels shall meet the requirements of this section instead of complying with Section 130.1(c)1. D. In office spaces greater than 250 square feet, general lighting shall be controlled with occupant sensing controls that meet all of the following: i. The occupant sensing controls shall be configured so that lighting shall be controlled separately in control zones not greater than 600 square feet. All control zones in offices greater than 250 square feet shall be shown on the plans; and ii. In 20 minutes or less after the control zone is unoccupied, the occupant sensing controls shall uniformly reduce lighting power in the control zone to no more than 20 percent of full power. Control functions that switch control zone lights completely off when the zone is vacant meet this requirement; and iii. In 20 minutes or less after the entire office space is unoccupied, the occupant sensing controls shall automatically turn off lighting in all control zones in the space; and iv. In each control zone, lighting shall be allowed to automatically turn on to any level up to full power upon occupancy within the control zone. When occupancy is detected in any control zone in the space, the lighting in other control zones that are unoccupied shall operate at no more than 20 percent of full power. Exception to Section 130.1(c)6D: Under-shelf or furniture-mounted task lighting controlled by a local switch and either a time switch or an occupancy sensor.

• § 160.5 High relevance — show source text

  Exception 1 to Section 160.5(b)4Civ: Automatic holiday shut-OFF features are not required in restaurants. Exception 2 to Section 160.5(b)4Civ: Areas where occupant sensing controls are installed. v. Occupant sensing controls. In offices 250 square feet or smaller, multipurpose rooms of less than 1,000 square feet, conference rooms, and restrooms, lighting shall be controlled with occupant sensing controls to automatically shut OFF all of the lighting in 20 minutes or less after the control zone is unoccupied. In areas required by Section 160.5(b)4B to have multi-level lighting controls, the occupant sensing controls shall function either as:

  a. A partial-ON occupant sensing control capable of automatically activating between 50 and 70 percent of controlled lighting power, or b. A vacancy sensing control, where all lighting responds to a manual ON input only. In areas not required by Section 160.5(b)4B to have multi-level lighting controls, the occupant sensing controls shall function either as:

  a. An automatic full-on occupant sensing control; or b. A partial-ON occupant sensing control, or c. A vacancy sensing control, where all lighting responds to a manual ON input only. In addition, controls shall be provided that allow the lights to be manually shut OFF in accordance with Section 160.5(b)4A regardless of the sensor status.

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  MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS—MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

  vi. Full or partial OFF occupant sensing controls. For corridors, stairwells, and offices greater than 250 square feet, parking garages, parking areas, loading areas, and unloading areas, the installed lighting shall meet the following requirements: a. In corridors and stairwells, lighting shall be controlled by occupant sensing controls that separately reduce the lighting power in each space by at least 50 percent when the space is unoccupied. The occupant sensing controls shall be capable of automatically turning the lighting fully ON only in the separately controlled space, and shall be automatically activated from all designed paths of egress. b. In office spaces greater than 250 square feet, general lighting shall be controlled by occupancy sensing controls that meet all of the following: I. The occupancy sensing controls shall be configured so that lighting shall be controlled separately in control zones not greater than 600 square feet. All control zones in offices greater than 250 square feet shall be shown on the plans; and II. In 20 minutes or less after the control zone is unoccupied, the occupancy sensing controls shall uniformly reduce lighting power in the control zone to no more than 20 percent of full power. Control functions that switch control zone lights completely off when the zone is vacant meet this requirement; and III. In 20 minutes or less after the entire office space is unoccupied, the occupancy sensing controls shall automatically turn off lighting in all control zones in the space; and IV. In each control zone, lighting shall be allowed to automatically turn on to any level up to full power upon occupancy within the control zone. When occupancy is detected in any control zone in the space, the lighting in other control zones that are unoccupied shall operate at no more than 20 percent of full power. Exception to Section 160.5(b)4Cvib: Under-shelf or furniture-mounted task lighting controlled by a local switch and either a time switch or an occupancy sensor.

• § 120.1 High relevance — show source text

  F. CO 2 sensors shall be certified by the manufacturer to be accurate within plus or minus 75 ppm at a 600 and 1000 ppm concentration when measured at sea level and 25°C, factory calibrated and certified by the manufacturer to require calibration no more frequently than once every 5 years. Upon detection of sensor failure, the system shall provide a signal which resets to supply the minimum quantity of outside air to levels required by Section 120.1(c)3 to the zone serviced by the sensor at all times that the zone is occupied. G. The CO 2 sensor(s) reading for each zone shall be displayed continuously, and shall be recorded on systems with DDC to the zone level.

  5. Occupied-standby zone controls. A. Space conditioning zones shall include occupied standby controls complying with Section 120.1(d)5B when all of the following are true: i. All rooms served by the zone are permitted to have their ventilation air reduced to zero while in occupiedstandby mode per Table 120.1-A; and ii. Occupant sensors are required by Sections 130.1(c)5 and 6; and iii. The zone and ventilation system is not served by pneumatic controls. B. Occupied-standby zone controls shall comply with the following: i. Occupant sensors shall have suitable coverage and placement to detect occupants in the entire space. In 20 minutes or less after no occupancy is detected by any sensors covering the room, occupant sensing controls shall indicate a room is vacant.

  ii. When occupant sensors controlling lighting are also used for ventilation, the ventilation signal shall be independent of daylighting, manual lighting overrides or manual control of lighting. iii. When a single zone serves multiple spaces, there shall be an occupant sensor in each space and the zone shall not be considered vacant until all spaces in the zone are vacant. iv. One hour prior to normal scheduled occupancy, the occupant sensor ventilation control shall allow preoccupancy purge as described in Section 120.1(d)2. v. When the zone is scheduled to be occupied and occupant sensing controls in all spaces served by the zone indicate the spaces are unoccupied, the zone shall be placed in occupied-standby mode. vi. In 5 minutes or less after entering occupied-standby mode, mechanical ventilation to the zone shall be shut off until the space becomes occupied or until ventilation is needed to provide space heating or conditioning. When mechanical ventilation is shut off to the zone, the ventilation system serving the zone shall reduce the system outside air rate by the amount of outside air required for the zone. vii. Where the system providing space conditioning also provides ventilation to the zone, in 5 minutes or less after entering occupied-standby mode, space-conditioning zone setpoints shall be reset in accordance with Section 120.2(e)3.

  (e) Ducting for zonal heating and cooling units. Where a return plenum is used to distribute outdoor air to a zonal heating or cooling unit, which then supplies the air to a space in order to meet the requirements of Section 120.1(c)3, the outdoor air shall be ducted to discharge either:

  1. Within 5 feet of the unit; or

  2. Within 15 feet of the unit, substantially toward the unit, and at a velocity not less than 500 feet per minute.

  (f) Design and control requirements for quantities of outdoor air. 1.

• § 130.1 High relevance — show source text

  4. If an automatic time-switch control is installed to comply with Section 130.1(c)1, it shall incorporate an automatic holiday “shut-OFF” feature that turns OFF all loads for at least 24 hours, and then resumes the normally scheduled operation. Exception 1 to Section 130.1(c)4: Automatic holiday shut-off features are not required in retail stores, malls, restaurants, grocery stores, churches, and theaters. Exception 2 to Section 130.1(c)4: Areas where occupant sensing controls are installed.
  5. Occupant sensing controls. In offices 250 square feet or smaller, multipurpose rooms of less than 1,000 square feet, classrooms, conference rooms, and restrooms, lighting shall be controlled with occupant sensing controls to automatically shut OFF all of the lighting in 20 minutes or less after the control zone is unoccupied. In areas required by Section 130.1(b) to have multi-level lighting controls, the occupant sensing controls shall function either as a:

  A. Partial-ON occupant sensing controls capable of automatically activating between 50 and 70 percent of controlled lighting power, or B. Vacancy sensing controls, where all lighting responds to a manual ON input only. In areas not required by Section 130.1(b) to have multilevel lighting controls, the occupant sensing controls shall function either as:

  A. Automatic full-on occupant sensing controls; or B. Partial-ON occupant sensing controls, or C. Vacancy sensing controls, where all lighting responds to a manual ON input only. In addition, controls shall be provided that allow the lights to be manually shut OFF in accordance with Section 130.1(a) regardless of the sensor status. 6. Full or partial-OFF occupant sensing controls. For warehouse aisle ways, warehouse open areas, library book stack aisles, corridors, stairwells, offices greater than 250 square feet, parking garages, parking areas, loading areas, and unloading areas, the installed lighting shall meet the following requirements: A. In warehouse aisle ways and warehouse open areas, lighting shall be controlled with occupant sensing controls that automatically reduce lighting power by at least 50 percent when the areas are unoccupied. The occupant

  2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE 97

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

  NONRESIDENTIAL AND HOTEL/MOTEL OCCUPANCIES—MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR LIGHTING SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT, AND ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

  sensing controls shall independently control lighting in each warehouse aisle way, and shall not control lighting beyond the aisle way being controlled by the sensor. Exception to Section 130.1(c)6A: When metal halide lighting or high pressure sodium lighting is installed in warehouses, occupant sensing controls shall reduce lighting power by at least 40 percent. B. In library book stack aisles 10 feet or longer that are accessible from only one end, and library book stack aisles 20 feet or longer that are accessible from both ends, lighting shall be controlled with occupant sensing controls that automatically reduce lighting power by at least 50 percent when the areas are unoccupied. The occupant sensing controls shall independently control lighting in each aisle way, and shall not control lighting beyond the aisle way being controlled by the sensor. C. In corridors and stairwells, lighting shall be controlled by occupant sensing controls that separately reduce the lighting power in each space by at least 50 percent when the space is unoccupied.

• § 160.2 High relevance — show source text

  vi. CO 2 sensors shall be certified by the manufacturer to be accurate within plus or minus 75 ppm at a 600 and 1000 ppm concentration when measured at sea level and 25°C, factory calibrated, and certified by the manufacturer to require calibration no more frequently than once every 5 years. Upon detection of sensor failure, the system shall provide a signal that resets to supply the minimum quantity of outside air to levels required by Section 160.2(c)3 to the zone serviced by the sensor at all times that the zone is occupied. vii. The CO 2 sensor(s) reading for each zone shall be displayed continuously, and shall be recorded on systems with digital direct controls (DDC) to the zone level. E. Occupied-standby zone controls. i. Space-conditioning zones shall include occupied-standby controls complying with Table 160.2-B when all of the following are true: a. All rooms served by the zone are permitted to have their ventilation air reduced to zero while in occupiedstandby mode per Table 160.2-B; and b. Occupant sensors are required by Sections 160.5(b)4Cv and vi; and c. The zone and ventilation system are not served by pneumatic controls. ii. Occupied-standby zone controls shall comply with the following: a. Occupant sensors shall have suitable coverage and placement to detect occupants in the entire space. In 20 minutes or less after no occupancy is detected by any sensors covering the room, occupant sensing controls shall indicate a room is vacant.

  2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE 207

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  MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS—MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

  b. When occupant sensors controlling lighting are also used for ventilation, the ventilation signal shall be independent of daylighting, manual lighting overrides or manual control of lighting. c. When a single zone damper or a single zone system serves multiple spaces, there shall be an occupant sensor in each space and the zone shall not be considered vacant until all spaces in the zone are vacant. d. One hour prior to normal scheduled occupancy, the occupant sensor ventilation control shall allow preoccupancy purge as described in Section 160.2(c)5B. e. When the zone is scheduled to be occupied and occupant sensing controls in all spaces served by the zone indicate the spaces are unoccupied, the zone shall be placed in occupied-standby mode. f. In 5 minutes or less after entering occupied-standby mode, mechanical ventilation to the zone shall be shut off until the space becomes occupied or until ventilation is needed to provide space heating or conditioning. When mechanical ventilation is shut off to the zone, the ventilation system serving the zone shall reduce the system outside air rate by the amount of outside air required for the zone. g. Where the system providing space conditioning also provides ventilation to the zone, in 5 minutes or less after entering occupied-standby mode, space-conditioning zone setpoints shall be reset in accordance with Section 120.2(e)3. 6. Ducting for zonal heating and cooling units. Where a return plenum is used to distribute outdoor air to a zonal heating or cooling unit that then supplies the air to a space in order to meet the requirements of Section 160.2(c)3, the outdoor air shall be ducted to discharge either: A. Within 5 feet of the unit; or

  B. Within 15 feet of the unit, substantially toward the unit and at a velocity not less than 500 feet per minute. **7.

• § 110.9 High relevance — show source text

  4. Occupant sensing controls. Occupant sensing controls include occupant sensors, motion sensors, and vacancy sensors, including those with a partial-ON or partial-OFF function. Occupant sensing controls shall: A. Be capable of automatically turning the controlled lights in the area either off or down no more than 20 minutes after the area has been vacated;

  B. For manual-on controls, have a grace period of no less than 15 seconds and no more than 30 seconds to turn on lighting automatically after the sensor has timed out; and C. Provide a visible status signal that indicates that the device is operating properly, or that it has failed or malfunctioned. The visible status signal may have an override that turns off the signal.

  Exception to Section 110.9(b)4: Occupant sensing control systems may consist of a combination of single or multilevel occupant, motion or vacancy sensor controls, provided that components installed to comply with manual-on requirements shall not be capable of conversion by occupants from manual-on to automatic-on functionality.

  5. Reserved.

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  ALL OCCUPANCIES—MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MANUFACTURE, CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF SYSTEMS, EQUIPMENT AND BUILDING COMPONENTS

  6. Sensors used to detect occupants. Sensors that are used by occupant sensing controls to detect occupants shall meet all of the following requirements: A. Sensors shall not incorporate switches or mechanical devices that allow the sensor to be disabled without changing the settings of the control. B. Sensors that utilize ultrasonic radiation for detection of occupants shall: i. comply with 21 C.F.R. part 1002.12;

  ii. not emit audible sound; and

  iii. not emit ultrasound in excess of the decibel levels shown in Table 110.9-A measured no more than 5 feet from the source, on axis.

  TABLE 110.9-A—ULTRASOUND MAXIMUM DECIBEL VALUES	Col2
  MID-FREQUENCY OF SOUND PRESSURE THIRD-OCTAVE BAND (IN kHz)	MAXIMUM DB LEVEL WITHIN THIRD-OCTAVE BAND (IN dB REFERENCE 20 MICROPASCALS)
  Less than 20	80
  20 or more to less than 25	105
  25 or more to less than 31.5	110
  31.5 or more	115

  Note: Authority: Sections 25213, 25218, 25218.5, 25402 and 25402.1, Public Resources Code . Reference: Sections 25007, 25008, 25218.5, 25310, 25402, 25402.1, 25402.4, 25402.5, 25402.8, and 52943, Public Resources Code .

  C. Sensors that utilize microwave radiation for detection of occupants shall: i. comply with 47 C.F.R. parts 2 and 15; and ii. not emit radiation in excess of 1 milliwatt per square centimeter measured at no more than 5 centimeters from the emission surface of the device.

  7. Indicator lights. Indicator lights integral to lighting controls shall consume no more than 1 watt of power per indicator light.

  (c) **Track lighting integral current limiter.

• § 120.1 High relevance — show source text

  4. Demand control ventilation devices.

  A. For each system with demand control ventilation (DCV), CO 2 sensors shall be installed in each room that meets the criteria of Section 120.1(d)3 with no less than one sensor per 10,000 square feet of floor space. When a zone or a space is served by more than one sensor, a signal from any sensor indicating that CO 2 is near or at the setpoint within the zone or space, shall trigger an increase in ventilation. B. CO 2 sensors shall be located in the room between 3 feet and 6 feet above the floor or at the anticipated height of the occupants’ heads. C. Demand ventilation controls shall maintain CO 2 concentrations less than or equal to 600 ppm plus the outdoor air CO 2 concentration in all rooms with CO 2 sensors. Exception to Section 120.1(d)4C: The outdoor air ventilation rate is not required to be larger than the design outdoor air ventilation rate required by Section 120.1(c)3 regardless of CO 2 concentration. D. Outdoor air CO 2 concentration shall be determined by one of the following: i. CO 2 concentration shall be assumed to be 400 ppm without any direct measurement; or ii. CO 2 concentration shall be dynamically measured using a CO 2 sensor located within 4 feet of the outdoor air intake.

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  NONRESIDENTIAL, HOTEL/MOTEL OCCUPANCIES, AND COVERED PROCESSES—MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

  E. When the system is operating during hours of expected occupancy, the controls shall maintain system outdoor air ventilation rates no less than R a × A z per Equation 120.1-F for each space with a CO 2 sensor(s), plus the greater of either the exhaust air rate or the rate required by Section 120.1(c)3 for other spaces served by the system. F. CO 2 sensors shall be certified by the manufacturer to be accurate within plus or minus 75 ppm at a 600 and 1000 ppm concentration when measured at sea level and 25°C, factory calibrated and certified by the manufacturer to require calibration no more frequently than once every 5 years. Upon detection of sensor failure, the system shall provide a signal which resets to supply the minimum quantity of outside air to levels required by Section 120.1(c)3 to the zone serviced by the sensor at all times that the zone is occupied. G. The CO 2 sensor(s) reading for each zone shall be displayed continuously, and shall be recorded on systems with DDC to the zone level.

  5. Occupied-standby zone controls. A. Space conditioning zones shall include occupied standby controls complying with Section 120.1(d)5B when all of the following are true: i. All rooms served by the zone are permitted to have their ventilation air reduced to zero while in occupiedstandby mode per Table 120.1-A; and ii. Occupant sensors are required by Sections 130.1(c)5 and 6; and iii. The zone and ventilation system is not served by pneumatic controls. B. Occupied-standby zone controls shall comply with the following: i. Occupant sensors shall have suitable coverage and placement to detect occupants in the entire space. In 20 minutes or less after no occupancy is detected by any sensors covering the room, occupant sensing controls shall indicate a room is vacant.

  ii.

• § 110.9 High relevance — show source text

  Provide an automatic holiday shutoff feature that turns off all connected loads for at least 24 hours and then resumes normally scheduled operation.

  B. Astronomical time-switch controls shall:

  i. Have sunrise and sunset prediction accuracy within plus-or-minus 15 minutes and timekeeping accuracy within 5 minutes per year; ii. Be capable of displaying date, current time, sunrise time, sunset time, and switching times for each step during programming; iii. Be capable of automatically adjusting for daylight savings time; and iv. Have the ability to independently offset the on and off for each channel by at least 90 minutes before and after sunrise or sunset.

  C. Multilevel time-switch controls shall include at least two separately programmable steps per zone. D. Time-switch controls installed outdoors shall have setback functions that allow the lighting on each controlled channel to be switched or dimmed to lower levels. The set back functions shall be capable of being programmed by the user for at least one specific time of day. 2. Daylight responsive controls. Controls that provide daylight responsive controls functionality shall: A. Automatically return to its most recent time delay settings within 60 minutes of the last received input when left in calibration mode;

  B. Have a set point control that easily distinguishes settings to within 10 percent of full-scale adjustment; C. Provide a linear response within 5 percent accuracy over the range of illuminance measured by the light sensor; and D. Be capable of being calibrated in a manner that the person initiating the calibration is remote from the sensor during calibration to avoid influencing calibration accuracy, for example by having a light sensor that is physically separated from where the calibration adjustments are made. 3. Dimmers. Controls that provide dimming functionality shall: A. Be capable of reducing lighting power consumption by a minimum of 65 percent when at its lowest setting; B. Provide reduced flicker operation, meaning that directly controlled light sources shall be provided electrical power such that the light output has an amplitude modulation of less than 30 percent for frequencies less than 200 Hz without causing premature lamp failure; C. Provide an off setting that produces a zero lumen output; and D. For wall box dimmers and associated switches designed for use in three way circuits, be capable of turning lights off, and on to the level set by the dimmer if the lights are off. 4. Occupant sensing controls. Occupant sensing controls include occupant sensors, motion sensors, and vacancy sensors, including those with a partial-ON or partial-OFF function. Occupant sensing controls shall: A. Be capable of automatically turning the controlled lights in the area either off or down no more than 20 minutes after the area has been vacated;

  B. For manual-on controls, have a grace period of no less than 15 seconds and no more than 30 seconds to turn on lighting automatically after the sensor has timed out; and C. Provide a visible status signal that indicates that the device is operating properly, or that it has failed or malfunctioned. The visible status signal may have an override that turns off the signal.

  Exception to Section 110.9(b)4: Occupant sensing control systems may consist of a combination of single or multilevel occupant, motion or vacancy sensor controls, provided that components installed to comply with manual-on requirements shall not be capable of conversion by occupants from manual-on to automatic-on functionality.

  5. Reserved.

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• § 110.9 High relevance — show source text

  Multilevel time-switch controls 110.9(b)1 Multiscene control station 140.6(a)3G, H, I Multiscene programmable control system 140.6(c)2, 150.0(k)2, 160.5(a)2 Nonprogrammable double-throw switch 40.6(a)1, 140.6(a)2, 170.2(e)2 Occupant sensing control 110.9(b)4, 6, 120.1(d)5A, 120.2(e), 130.1, 130.1(c), 130.1(f), 130.1(f)7, 130.5(d), 140.6(a)2I, 140.6(a)3, Table 140.6-A, 160.2(c), 160.2(c)5E, 160.5(b)4, 160.5(b)4C, 160.6(d), 170.2(e)2, 170.2(e)2B, Table 170.2-L, Table

  170.2-M Occupant sensor 110.9(b)4, 120.1(d), 120.2(e), 150.0(k)2, 160.2(c), Outdoor lighting controls 130.2(c)1, 130.2(c)2, 130.2(c)3, 130.4(a)6, 160.5(a)3, 160.5(c), 160.5(e) Outdoor time-switch controls 110.9(b)1 Partial off occupant sensing controls 130.1(c)6, 130.1(c)7, 160.5(b)4 Partial-OFF Sensors 110.9(b)4, 130.1(c)1, 160.5(b)4C Partial-on occupant sensing controls 130.1(c)5, 160.5(b)4C Partial-ON Sensors 110.9(b)4, 130.1(f)7, 160.5(b)4F Photocell 150.0(k)3, 160.5(a)3A Photocontrol 130.2(c)1, 130.3(a)2, 160.5(d)2A Photosensor 130.1(d)4, 160.5(b)4D Shut-off control 130.4(a), 160.5(d)2B Sign lighting controls 130.3, 160.5(d) Time switch 110.4(b), 110.9(b)1, 120.2(e)1A, 120.6(b)3A, 120.6(h)2B, 6B, 130.1(c)3 – 6, 130.1(f)5, 130.2(c)1, 130.3(a), 130.5(d)1, 140.6(a)3G,

  150.0(k)3, 160.3(a)2D, 160.5(a)2A, 160.5(b)4C, 160.5(b)4F, 160.5(c)2A, 160.5(d), 160.6(d)1 Vacancy sensing controls 130.1(c)5B Vacancy sensor 110.9(b)4, 140.6(a)3, 150.0(k)1, 2, 160.5(a)1, 2 Line Voltage Switch 140.6(a)1, 140.6(a)2, 170.

• § 110.2 Medium relevance — show source text

  C. Heat pump controls. All heat pumps with supplementary electric resistance heaters shall be installed with controls that comply with Section 110.2(b).

  NOTE: Authority: Sections 25213, 25218, 25218.5, 25402 and 25402.1, Public Resources Code . Reference: Sections 25007, 25008, 25218.5, 25310, 25402, 25402.1, 25402.4, 25402.5, 25402.8 and 25943, Public Resources Code .

  D. Shut-off and reset controls for space-conditioning systems. Each space-conditioning system shall be installed with controls that comply with the following: i. The control shall be capable of automatically shutting off the system during periods of nonuse and shall have: a. An automatic time switch control device complying with Section 110.9, with an accessible manual override that allows operation of the system for up to 4 hours; or b. An occupancy sensor; or c. A 4-hour timer that can be manually operated. ii. The control shall automatically restart and temporarily operate the system as required to maintain: a. A setback heating thermostat setpoint if the system provides mechanical heating; and Exception to Section 160.3(a)2Diia: Thermostat setback controls are not required in multifamily buildings in areas where the Winter Median of Extremes outdoor air temperature determined in accordance with Section 170.2(c)1C is greater than 32°F. b. A setup cooling thermostat setpoint if the system provides mechanical cooling.

  212 2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE

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  MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS—MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

  Exception to Section 160.3(a)2Diib: Thermostat setup controls are not required in multifamily buildings in areas where the summer design dry-bulb 0.5-percent temperature determined in accordance with Section 170.2(c)1C is less than 100°F.

  iii. Occupant sensing zone controls . Where the system providing space conditioning also provides the ventilation required by Section 160.2(c)3 and includes occupant sensor ventilation control as specified in Section 160.2(c)5E, the occupant sensing zone controls shall additionally comply with the following: a. Occupant sensing zone controls shall comply with the occupant sensor ventilation control device requirements of Section 160.3(c)5E and allow preoccupancy ventilation requirements of Section 160.3(c)5B; and b. In 5 minutes or less after entering occupied-standby mode as described in Section 160.2(c)5: I. Automatically set up the operating cooling temperature setpoint by 2°F or more and set back the operating heating temperature setpoint by 2°F or more; or II. For multiple zone systems with direct digital controls (DDC) to the zone level, set up the operating cooling temperature setpoint by 0.5°F or more and set back the operating heating temperature setpoint by 0.5°F or more. c. In 5 minutes or less after entering occupied-standby mode, mechanical ventilation to the zone shall remain off whenever the space temperature is between the active heating and cooling setpoints. Exception to Section 160.3(a)2Diii : Zones that are only ventilated by a natural ventilation system in accordance with Section 120.1(c)2.

• § 170.2 Medium relevance — show source text

  or furniture mounted luminaires that comply with Section 170.2(e)1Aii and provide general lighting directly above the controlled area; and d. Qualifying luminaires shall be controlled by occupant sensing controls that meet all of the following requirements, as applicable: I. Infrared sensors shall be equipped by the manufacturer, or fitted in the field by the installer, with lenses or shrouds to prevent them from being triggered by movement outside of the controlled

  area.

  II. Ultrasonic sensors shall be tuned to reduce their sensitivity to prevent them from being triggered by movements outside of the controlled area. III. All other sensors shall be installed and adjusted as necessary to prevent them from being triggered by movements outside of the controlled area. e. Occupant sensing control zones, in offices greater than 250 square feet, shall be shown on the plans.

  2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE 259

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  MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS—PERFORMANCE AND PRESCRIPTIVE COMPLIANCE APPROACHES

  x. To qualify for the PAF for an Institutional Tuning in Table 170.2-L, the tuned lighting system shall comply with all of the following requirements: a. The lighting controls shall limit the maximum output or maximum power draw of the controlled lighting to 85 percent or less of full light output or full power draw; and b. The means of setting the limit is accessible only to authorized personnel; and c. The setting of the limit is verified by the acceptance test required by Section 160.5(e)1G; and d. The construction documents specify which lighting systems shall have their maximum light output or maximum power draw set to no greater than 85 percent of full light output or full power draw. xi. To qualify for the PAF for a demand responsive control in Table 170.2-L, the general lighting wattage receiving the PAF shall not be within the scope of Section 110.12(c) and a demand responsive control shall meet all of the following requirements: a. The controlled lighting shall be capable of being automatically reduced in response to a demand response signal; and b. General lighting shall be reduced in a manner consistent with the illuminance uniformity requirements of Section 160.5(b)4B. xii. To qualify for the PAFs for clerestory fenestration, horizontal slats or light shelves in Table 170.2-L, the daylighting design shall meet the requirements in Section 170.2(b). The PAFs shall only apply to lighting in a primary or secondary sidelit daylit zone where continuous dimming daylighting controls meeting the requirements of Section 160.5(b)4D are installed.

  TABLE 170.2-L—LIGHTING POWER ADJUSTMENT FACTORS (PAF)	Col2	Col3
  TYPE OF CONTROL	TYPE OF AREA	FACTOR
  1. Daylight Continuous Dimming Plus OFF Control	Luminaires in skylit daylit zone or primary sidelit daylit zone	0.10
  2. Occupant Sensing Controls in Office Spaces Larger Than 250 Square Feet	In open plan offices > 250 square feet: One sensor controlling an area that is: No larger than 125 square feet	0.30
  2.

• § 160.2 Medium relevance — show source text

  D. Demand control ventilation devices.

  i. For each system with demand control ventilation (DCV), CO 2 sensors shall be installed in each room that meets the criteria of Section 160.2(c)5C with no fewer than one sensor per 10,000 ft2 of floor space. When a zone or a space is served by more than one sensor, a signal from any sensor indicating that CO 2 is near or at the setpoint within the zone or space shall trigger an increase in ventilation. ii. CO 2 sensors shall be located in the room between 3 ft and 6 ft above the floor or at the anticipated height of the occupants’ heads. iii. Demand ventilation controls shall maintain CO 2 concentrations less than or equal to 600 ppm plus the outdoor air CO 2 concentration in all rooms with CO 2 sensors. Exception to Section 160.2(c)5Diii: The outdoor air ventilation rate is not required to be larger than the design outdoor air ventilation rate required by Section 160.2(c)3 regardless of CO 2 concentration. iv. Outdoor air CO 2 concentration shall be determined by one of the following: a. CO 2 concentration shall be assumed to be 400 ppm without any direct measurement; or b. CO 2 concentration shall be dynamically measured using a CO 2 sensor located within 4 ft of the outdoor air intake.

  v. When the system is operating during hours of expected occupancy, the controls shall maintain system outdoor air ventilation rates no less than R a × A z per Equation 160.2-H for each space with a CO 2 sensor(s), plus the greater of either the exhaust air rate or the rate required by Section 160.2(c)3 for other spaces served by the system. vi. CO 2 sensors shall be certified by the manufacturer to be accurate within plus or minus 75 ppm at a 600 and 1000 ppm concentration when measured at sea level and 25°C, factory calibrated, and certified by the manufacturer to require calibration no more frequently than once every 5 years. Upon detection of sensor failure, the system shall provide a signal that resets to supply the minimum quantity of outside air to levels required by Section 160.2(c)3 to the zone serviced by the sensor at all times that the zone is occupied. vii. The CO 2 sensor(s) reading for each zone shall be displayed continuously, and shall be recorded on systems with digital direct controls (DDC) to the zone level. E. Occupied-standby zone controls. i. Space-conditioning zones shall include occupied-standby controls complying with Table 160.2-B when all of the following are true: a. All rooms served by the zone are permitted to have their ventilation air reduced to zero while in occupiedstandby mode per Table 160.2-B; and b. Occupant sensors are required by Sections 160.5(b)4Cv and vi; and c. The zone and ventilation system are not served by pneumatic controls. ii. Occupied-standby zone controls shall comply with the following: a. Occupant sensors shall have suitable coverage and placement to detect occupants in the entire space. In 20 minutes or less after no occupancy is detected by any sensors covering the room, occupant sensing controls shall indicate a room is vacant.

  2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE 207

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  MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS—MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS