Title 24 · California Energy Code

What documentation must be provided to occupants and where is it specified?

In plain English: Title 24 requires the project team to write down what the owner expects (the OPR) and how the design meets those expectations (the BOD) during the design phase; those documents — together with a commissioning plan and closeout systems manual/commissioning report — are submitted with the permit/compliance package and delivered to the building owner (not necessarily every occupant). The controlling rules are **§ 110.10(b)** and **§ 110.10(c)**.

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

What the code requires — 2-4 sentences

The California Energy Code requires that the project team document the building’s energy expectations and the basis for design decisions: the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) and the Basis of Design (BOD). These are required design-phase documents under § 110.10(b) and § 110.10(c) respectively, and the BOD must describe how systems (HVAC, lighting, water heating, envelope, etc.) meet the OPR. The code also requires commissioning-related documents (commissioning plan, measures in construction documents, and eventual commissioning report) to be prepared and included as part of the compliance/permit package (see the related compliance and commissioning provisions).

The single most important rule: the project must record (in the OPR) what the owner expects for energy and operations, and record (in the BOD) how the design meets those expectations — these must be produced in the design phase and become part of the compliance/permit and commissioning package.

Requirements in detail

What each document is and who prepares it

  • Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) — the owner (or owner’s representative) documents the building’s energy efficiency goals, ventilation requirements, facility functions and hours, equipment expectations, and envelope performance expectations. Required by § 110.10(b).
  • Basis of Design (BOD) — the design team prepares a written explanation showing how the design meets the OPR. The BOD must explicitly cover HVAC systems & controls, indoor lighting & controls, water heating systems & controls, and any other OPR-listed systems or envelope components. Required by § 110.10(c).
  • Commissioning plan / measures / report — commissioning measures must be shown in construction documents and a commissioning plan completed prior to permit issuance; a commissioning report and systems manual are completed and delivered (to the owner or owner’s representative) as part of the commissioning process. See the Energy Code cross-references and the Green Building commissioning documentation requirements.

Decision‑relevant summary table

Document Who prepares When (typical) Delivered to / Included with Code Reference
Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) Owner or owner’s rep Before design phase (documented prior to design) Owner file; used by design team; included in commissioning and compliance package as required § 110.10(b)
Basis of Design (BOD) Design team Completed in design phase; updated as needed through construction Owner file; included in construction documents and commissioning package § 110.10(c)
Commissioning plan (and measures shown on CD) Design team / CxA Commissioning plan prior to permit issuance; measures included in construction documents Included with certificate of compliance / permit submittal and provided to owner § 110.10(f) (measures & plan requirement referenced in §110.10)
Systems manual & commissioning report Commissioning authority (CxA) / contractor At project closeout / commissioning completion Delivered to building owner or owner’s representative Green Building Standard – systems manual & training requirements (see commissioning and documentation notes)

Where these live in the permit / compliance process

  • The Energy Code requires the OPR and BOD to be created in the design phase and the commissioning plan to be completed prior to permit issuance; forms and certificates required for the certificate of compliance package (for example, the design review kickoff and construction document review certificates) must be included as part of the permit submittal.

Exceptions & special cases

  • The code text in the retrieved sections (110.10(b) and (c)) does not itself spell out an exception that removes the requirement to prepare an OPR or BOD; rather, these are required project documents for projects subject to the commissioning and documentation requirements described in § 110.10 and related sections. The specific applicability (which projects must commission or include these documents) is determined by the Energy Code scope and other thresholds in Title 24 (see the compliance tables and commissioning thresholds).
  • The Green Building appendices clarify delivery of a systems manual and operations training to the owner/owner representative for projects subject to that standard; that is a separate but related requirement and is not phrased as “deliver to occupants.”

If you need a definitive list of which building sizes or project types require commissioning (and therefore OPR/BOD/commissioning documents), that threshold detail is outside the text retrieved here and would require checking the specific applicability tables and Sections (for example, Section 120.8 and the Table of Applications) in the full Energy Code. The retrieved excerpts reference those cross sections but do not reproduce the full applicability thresholds.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming OPR / BOD must be given to every occupant — the code requires these documents for the project team and owner; the retrieved text shows delivery to the owner or owner’s representative, not to individual building occupants. Confusing “owner delivery” with “occupant handout” is common.
  • Treating the OPR as the BOD (they are distinct): OPR states the owner’s goals; BOD states how the design meets those goals. Both must be prepared and kept current.
  • Forgetting to include commissioning measures in the construction documents or to complete the commissioning plan prior to permit issuance — the Energy Code specifically requires measures to be shown in the construction documents and the commissioning plan before permit.
  • Failing to include required certificates and checklists (design review kickoff and construction document design review certificates) with the certificate of compliance / permit submittal.

Worked example — concrete scenario

Scenario: Owner builds a new 50,000 ft² office building.

  1. Before schematic design the owner documents the OPR: energy savings target of 15% below standard design, ventilation schedule for typical weekdays and after‑hours operation 10:00 PM–6:00 AM, requirement for daylighting controls in perimeter zones, and expectation for a high-efficiency central hot-water system. (This is preparation of the OPR under § 110.10(b).)

  2. During design the design team prepares the BOD showing how HVAC zoning, variable-air-volume boxes, daylighting controls, and a heat-pump hot-water system will meet the OPR; the BOD explicitly addresses HVAC systems & controls, indoor lighting & controls, and water heating systems & controls as required by § 110.10(c).

  3. The construction documents include the commissioning measures (control sequences, sensor locations, testing requirements) and the owner/design team completes a commissioning plan prior to permit issuance. Those measures are included with the certificate of compliance / permit submittal as required by the code’s compliance documentation provisions.

  4. At project closeout the commissioning authority provides a systems manual and a commissioning report to the building owner or owner’s representative; these documents contain system descriptions, start-up and testing records, and recommended maintenance — the Green Building provisions require such delivery for projects subject to that appendix. These are delivered to the owner, who can decide whether and how to make occupant-facing summaries or operating guidance available.

Note: nowhere in the retrieved text does § 110.10(b) or § 110.10(c) require delivering the full OPR/BOD/commissioning report directly to each building occupant; the delivery requirement in the excerpts is to the owner or owner’s representative and for inclusion in the permit/compliance package.

Related provisions

  • § 110.10(b) — Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) (design‑phase owner documentation).
  • § 110.10(c) — Basis of Design (BOD) (design‑phase design documentation).
  • § 10‑103(a) — Certificate of compliance / required documentation forms and certificates (forms referenced for permit package).
  • § 120.8 — Commissioning requirements cross‑reference for energy‑related systems (referenced as the Energy Code commissioning section).
  • Green Building Standard: § 5.410.2.5 — Systems manual, systems operations training, and commissioning report delivery to owner/representative (related delivery/closeout obligations).

If you want, I can:

  • Extract the exact checklist items you must include in an OPR and BOD for a specific occupancy type (office, hotel, multifamily).
  • Draft template language for an OPR and a matching BOD for your project so they are consistent with § 110.10(b) and § 110.10(c).

Code references

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

  • § 5.410.2.1 High relevance — show source text

    Informational Note:

    1. Functional performance testing for heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems and lighting controls must be performed in compliance with the California Energy Code.

    5.410.2.1 Owner’s or Owner representative’s Project Requirements (OPR). [N] The expectations and requirements of the building appropriate to its phase shall be documented before the design phase of the project begins. This documentation shall include the following:

    1. Environmental and sustainability goals.
    2. Building sustainable goals.
    3. Indoor environmental quality requirements.
    4. Project program, including facility functions and hours of operation, and need for after hours operation.
    5. Equipment and systems expectations.
    6. Building occupant and operation and maintenance (O&M) personnel expectations.

    5.410.2.2 Basis of Design (BOD). [N] A written explanation of how the design of the building systems meets the OPR shall be completed at the design phase of the building project. The Basis of Design document shall cover the following systems:

    1. Renewable energy systems.

    2. Landscape irrigation systems.

    3. Water reuse systems.

    5.410.2.3 Commissioning plan. [N] Prior to permit issuance a commissioning plan shall be completed to document how the project will be commissioned. The commissioning plan shall include the following:

    1. General project information.
    2. Commissioning goals.
    3. Systems to be commissioned. Plans to test systems and components shall include: a. An explanation of the original design intent. b. Equipment and systems to be tested, including the extent of tests.

    c. Functions to be tested.

    d. Conditions under which the test shall be performed. e. Measurable criteria for acceptable performance. 4. Commissioning team information. 5. Commissioning process activities, schedules and responsibilities. Plans for the completion of commissioning shall be included.

    5.410.2.4 Functional performance testing. [N] Functional performance tests shall demonstrate the correct installation and operation of each component, system and system- to-system interface in accordance with the approved plans and specifications.

    2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE 5-27

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    NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES

    Functional performance testing reports shall contain information addressing each of the building components tested, the testing methods utilized, and include any readings and adjustments made.

    5.410.2.5 Documentation and training. [N] A systems manual and systems operations training are required, including Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requirements in California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 8, Section 5142, and other related regulations.

    5.410.2.5.1 Systems manual. [N] Documentation of the operational aspects of the building shall be completed within the systems manual and delivered to the building owner or representative. The systems manual shall include the following:

    1. Site information, including facility description, history and current requirements.

    2. Site contact information.

    3. Basic operations and maintenance, including general site operating procedures, basic troubleshooting, recommended maintenance requirements, site events log.

    4. Major systems.

    5. Site equipment inventory and maintenance notes.

    6. A copy of verifications required by the enforcing agency or this code.

    7. Other resources and documentation, if applicable.

  • § 504.8.5.2 High relevance — show source text

    A6.504.8.5.2 Documentation. Verification of compliance with this section shall be provided as requested by the enforcing agency. Documentation shall include at least one of the following:

    1. Product certifications and specifications.
    2. Chain of custody certifications.
    3. Other methods acceptable to the enforcing agency.

    A6.504.9 Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) control. [OSHPD 1, 2 & 4] Where outdoor areas are provided for smoking, prohibit smoking within 25 feet of building entries, outdoor air intakes and operable windows and within the building, if not already prohibited by other laws or regulations, or as enforced by ordinances, regulations or policies of any city, county, city and county, California Community College, campus of the California State University or campus of the University of California, whichever are more stringent. When ordinances, regulations or policies are not in place, post signage to inform building occupants of the prohibitions.

    SECTION A6.505 [OSHPD 1, 2 & 4]—INDOOR MOISTURE CONTROL

    A6.505.2 Indoor moisture control. Buildings shall meet or exceed the provisions of California Building Code, CCR, Title 24, Part 2, Sections 1203 and Chapter 14.

    APPENDIX A6.1-36 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

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    APPENDIX A6.1 — VOLUNTARY STANDARDS FOR HEALTH FACILITIES [OSHPD 1, 2 & 4]

    NONRESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES APPLICATION CHECKLIST [OSHPD 1, 2 and 4]

    FEATURE OR MEASURE COMPLIANCE LEVELS Col3 Col4 NOTES
    FEATURE OR MEASURE Mandatory
    CALGreen    		 VOLUNTARY
    CALGreen    		 VOLUNTARY
    CALGreen    		 VOLUNTARY
    CALGreen
    FEATURE OR MEASURE Mandatory
    CALGreen    		 Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 2
    DIVISION A6.1 – PLANNING AND DESIGN
    SECTION Site Development SECTION Site Development SECTION Site Development SECTION Site Development SECTION Site Development
    **A6.106.9 Building orientation.**Locate and orient the building as follows:
    1. When site and location permit, orient the building with the long sides facing north and
    south.
    2. Protect the building from thermal loss, drafts and degradation of the building envelope
    caused by wind and wind-driven materials such as dust.
    DIVISION A6.2 – ENERGY EFFICIENCY
    SECTION A6.203 Performance Measures SECTION A6.203 Performance Measures SECTION A6.203 Performance Measures SECTION A6.203 Performance Measures SECTION A6.203 Performance Measures
    A6.203.1 Energy performance. [OSHPD 1]
    **A6.203.1.1 CALGreen Tier 1.
  • § 203.1.1 High relevance — show source text

    A4.203.1.1 Long-term system cost (LSC). LSC rating for the building’s Proposed Design shall be computed by Compliance Software certified by the Energy Commission as specified in Title 24, Part 6, Section 100.1 and 150.1(b), and shall reduce the LSC required in the Compliance Software for minimum performance-based compliance with the California Energy Code by the compliance margin specified in Table A4.203.1.1. The rating shall be included in the Certificate of Compliance documentation.

    TABLE A4.203.1.1—RECOMMENDED LSC MARGINS BY CLIMATE ZONES Col2
    CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE CLIMATE ZONE TOTAL LSC COMPLIANCE MARGIN
    1 2.70
    2 1.62
    3 1.10
    4 1.11
    5 1.01
    6 0.24
    7 0.24
    8 0.21
    9 0.20
    10 0.18
    11 1.11
    12 1.05
    13 0.96
    14 1.21
    15 0.59
    16 1.68
    Note: Community shared options complying with Title 24, Part 1, Section 10-115 may be used to achieve LSC targets. Note: Community shared options complying with Title 24, Part 1, Section 10-115 may be used to achieve LSC targets.

    2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE APPENDIX A4-9

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    APPENDIX A4 — RESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

    A4.203.1.2 Prerequisite options. In addition, a minimum of TWO of the efficiency measures specified in Sections A4.203.1.2.1 through A4.203.1.2.7 must be met.

    A4.203.1.2.1 Roof deck insulation, or ducts in conditioned space. Meet one of the three options for the location of ducts and air handlers as well as insulation R -values and installation of a radiant barrier as specified in Title 24, Part 6, Section 150.1(c)9A or B:

    1. Below roof deck insulation with a minimum R -value of 19; or,

    2. Continuous above deck insulation with a minimum R-8 and with an air space present between the roofing and the roof deck; or,

    3. All ducts and air handlers in conditioned space as specified in the Title 24, Part 6, Reference Appendix RA3.1.

    A4.203.1.2.2 High performance walls. Meet the climate zone dependent U -factor or insulation R -value for either 2x6 or 2x4 framing as specified in Title 24, Part 6, Section 150.1(c)1B: maximum U -factor of 0.048.

    A4.203.1.2.3 Compact hot water distribution system. Meet the requirements for installation of Compact Hot Water Distribution Systems specified in the Title 24, Part 6, Reference Appendix RA3.6.5.

  • § 110.2 High relevance — show source text

    3(c)| |Nonresidential
    and
    Hotels/Motels|HVAC (conditioned)|110.2, 110.5, 120.1, 120.2, 120.3,
    120.4, 120.5, 120.8, 120.10|140.4|140.4|140.4| |Nonresidential
    and
    Hotels/Motels|Water Heating|110.3, 120.3, 120.8, 120.9|140.5|140.5|140.5| |Nonresidential
    and
    Hotels/Motels|Indoor Lighting
    (conditioned, process spaces)|110.9, 120.8, 130.0,
    130.1, 130.4|140.3(c), 140.6|140.3(c), 140.6|140.3(c), 140.6| |Nonresidential
    and
    Hotels/Motels|Indoor Lighting
    (unconditioned and parking garages)|110.9, 120.8, 130.0,
    130.1, 130.4|140.3(c), 140.6|N.A.|N.A.| |Nonresidential
    and
    Hotels/Motels|Outdoor Lighting|110.9, 130.0, 130.2, 130.4|140.7|140.7|140.7| |Nonresidential
    and
    Hotels/Motels|Electrical Power Distribution|110.11, 130.5|N.A.|N.A.|N.A.| |Nonresidential
    and
    Hotels/Motels|Pool and Spa Systems|110.4, 110.5, 150.0(p)|110.4, 110.5, 150.0(p)|110.4, 110.5, 150.0(p)|110.4, 110.5, 150.0(p)| |Nonresidential
    and
    Hotels/Motels|Solar Ready Buildings|110.10|110.10|110.10|141.0(a)| |Nonresidential
    and
    Hotels/Motels|Solar PV and Battery Energy
    Storage Systems|N.A.|141.10|140.0, 140.1|N.A.|

    2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE 1

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    ALL OCCUPANCIES—GENERAL PROVISIONS

    TABLE 100.0-A—APPLICATION OF STANDARDS—continued Col2 Col3 Col4 Col5 Col6
    OCCUPANCIES APPLICATION MANDATORY PRESCRIPTIVE PERFORMANCE ADDITIONS/
    ALTERATIONS
    Covered
    Processes1    		 Envelope, Ventilation, Process Loads 110.2, 120.3, 120.6 140.9 140.1 110.2, 120.3,
    120.6, 140.9,
    141.1
    Demand
    Responsive (DR)
    Controls    		 DR Control Thermostats JA5; Exception 5 to
    Section 110.10(b)1A;
    Exception 4 to
    Section 110.10(b)1B    		 N.
  • § 170.1 High relevance — show source text
    1. Central systems. For systems serving multiple dwelling units, the water-heating system shall meet the applicable requirement of A through F, or shall meet the performance compliance requirements of Section 170.1: A. For heat pump water-heating systems serving multiple dwelling units, the water-heating system shall be installed according to the manufacturer’s design and installation guidelines and meet the following requirements, or meet the requirements of NEEA Advanced Water Heater Specification for commercial heat pump water heater Tier 2 or higher: i. The primary heat pump water heater shall be a single-pass heat pump water heater. ii. The hot water return from the recirculation loop shall connect to a recirculation loop tank and shall not directly connect to the primary heat pump water heater inlet or the primary thermal storage tanks. iii. The fuel source for the recirculation loop tank shall be electricity. iv. The primary storage tank temperature setpoint shall be at least 135°F. v. The recirculation loop tank temperature setpoint shall be at least 10°F lower than the primary thermal storage tank temperature setpoint. vi. The minimum heat pump water heater compressor cut-off temperature shall be equal to or lower than 40°F ambient air temperature. vii. Design documentation shall be provided in accordance with JA14.4. B. For gas or propane systems serving multiple dwelling units, the water-heating system that includes the following components shall be installed: i. For Climate Zones 1 through 9, gas service water-heating systems with a total installed gas water-heating input capacity of 1 MMBtu/h or greater shall have gas service water-heating equipment with a minimum thermal efficiency of 90 percent. Multiple units are allowed to meet this requirement with an input capacity-weighted average of at least 90 percent. Exception 1 to Section 170.2(d)Bi: Individual gas water heaters with input capacity at or below 100,000 Btu/h shall not be included in the calculations of the total system input or total system efficiency. Exception 2 to Section 170.2(d)Bi: If 25 percent of the annual water-heating requirement is provided by sitesolar energy or site-recovered energy. ii. A solar water-heating system meeting the installation criteria specified in Reference Residential Appendix RA4 and with a minimum solar savings fraction of either a. or b. below: a. A minimum solar savings fraction of 0.20 in Climate Zones 1 through 9 or a minimum solar savings fraction of 0.35 in Climate Zones 10 through 16; or b. A minimum solar savings fraction of 0.15 in Climate Zones 1 through 9 or a minimum solar savings fraction of 0.30 in Climate Zones 10 through 16. In addition, a drain water heat recovery system that is field verified as specified in the Reference Appendix RA3.6.9. C. All hot water piping shall be sized in accordance with the California Plumbing Code Appendix M. D. The central system shall have a recirculation system with a mechanical or digital thermostatic master mixing valve on each distribution supply and return loop, and meet the requirements specified in the Residential Reference Appendix RA4.4.19.

    Exception to Section 170.2(d)2D : Buildings with eight or fewer dwelling units. E. Insulation for hot water pipes and plumbing appurtenances shall be field verified as specified in Residential Reference Appendix RA3.6.3. F. A water-heating system serving multiple dwelling units determined by the Executive Director to use no more energy than the one specified in Subsection A or B above.

    2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE 257

  • § 10-103 High relevance — show source text
    1. Compliance demonstration requirements for performance standards. A. Certificate of compliance and application for a building permit. The application for a building permit shall include documentation pursuant to Sections 10-103(a)1 and 10-103(a)2 which demonstrates, using an approved calculation method, that the building has been designed so that its energy consumption does not exceed the standard design energy budgets for the applicable climate zone. Exception to Section 150.1(b)2A Multiple orientation: A permit applicant may demonstrate compliance with the energy budget requirements of Section 150.1(a) and (b) for any orientation of the same building model if the documentation demonstrates that the building model with its proposed designs and features would comply in each of the four cardinal orientations.

    B. Field verification. When performance of installed features, materials, components, manufactured devices or systems above the minimum specified in Section 150.1(c) is necessary for the building to comply with Section 150.1(b), or is necessary to achieve a more stringent local ordinance, field verification shall be performed in accordance with the applicable requirements in the following subsections, and the results of the verification(s) shall be documented on applicable certificates of installation pursuant to Section 10-103(a)3 and applicable certificates of verification pursuant to Section 10-103(a)5. i. EER2/SEER2/CEER/HSPF2 Rating. When performance compliance requires installation of a space-conditioning system with a rating that is greater than the minimum rating required by Table 150.1-A or specified for the standard design, the installed system shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures specified in the applicable sections of Reference Residential Appendix RA3.4. ii. Variable capacity heat pump (VCHP) compliance option. When performance compliance requires installation of a heat pump system that meets all the requirements of the VCHP compliance option specified in the ACM

    2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE 177

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    SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS—PERFORMANCE AND PRESCRIPTIVE COMPLIANCE APPROACHES

    Reference Manual, the system shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.4.4.3. iii. Low leakage air handler. When performance compliance requires installation of a low leakage air-handling unit, the installed air-handling unit shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures specified in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.1.4.3.9.

    iv. Reserved.

    v. Heat pump — rated heating capacity. When performance compliance requires installation of a heat pump system, the heating capacity values at 47°F and 17°F shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures specified in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.4. vi. Whole-house fan. When performance compliance requires installation of a whole-house fan, the whole-house fan ventilation airflow rate and fan efficacy shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.9. vii. Central fan ventilation cooling system. When performance compliance requires installation of a central fan ventilation cooling system, the installed system shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.3.4. viii. Building enclosure air leakage. When performance compliance requires a building enclosure leakage rate that is lower than the standard design, the building enclosure shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures specified in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.8. ix. **Quality Insulation Installation (QII).

  • § 19-1.1 Medium relevance — show source text

    Floor and beam
    construction consisting of
    3"-deep cellular steel floor
    unit mounted on steel
    members with 1:4 (propor-
    tion of Portland cement to
    perlite aggregate) perlite-
    concrete floor slab on top.|19-1.1|Suspended envelope ceiling of perlite
    gypsum plaster on metal lath attached
    to3/4" cold-rolled channels, secured to
    11/2" cold-rolled channels spaced 42"
    on center supported by 0.203 inch (No.
    6 B.W. gage) wire 36" on center. Beams
    in envelope with 3" minimum airspace
    between beam soffit and lath have a 4-
    hour rating.|2p|—|—|—|1 l|—|—|—| |20. Perlite concrete propor-
    tioned 1:6 (Portland cement
    to perlite aggregate) poured
    to1/8" thickness above top of
    corrugations of 15/16"-deep
    galvanized steel deck maxi-
    mum span 8′-0" for 0.024"
    (No. 24 galvanized sheet
    gage) or 6′-0" for 0.019" (No.
    26 galvanized sheet gage)
    with deck supported by indi-
    vidually protected steel
    framing. Approved polysty-
    rene foam plastic insulation
    board having a flame spread
    not exceeding 75 (1" to 4"
    thickness) with vent holes
    that approximate 3 percent of
    the board surface area placed
    on top of perlite slurry. A 2′ by
    4′ insulation board contains
    six 23/4" diameter holes.
    Board covered with 21/4"
    minimum perlite concrete
    slab. Slab reinforced with
    mesh consisting of 0.042"
    (No.19 B.W. gage) galvanized
    steel wire twisted together to
    form 2" hexagons with
    straight 0.065" (No. 16 B.W.
    gage) galvanized steel wire
    woven into mesh and spaced
    3". Alternate slab reinforce-
    ment shall be permitted to
    consist of 4" × 8",
    0.109/0.238" (No. 12/4 B.W.
    gage), or 2" × 2", 0.083/0.083"
    (No. 14/14 B.W. gage) welded
    wire fabric. Class A or B roof
    covering on top.|20-1.1|None|—|—|Varies|—|—|—|—|—| |21. Wood joists, wood I-
    joists, floor trusses and flat
    or pitched roof trusses
    spaced a maximum 24" o.c.
    with1/2" wood structural
    panels with exterior glue
    applied at right angles to
    top of joist or top chord of
    trusses with 8 d nails.

  • § 204.4.1 Medium relevance — show source text

    The owner shall document the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR). The design team shall develop the Basis of Design (BOD). The CxA shall review these documents for clarity and completeness. The owner and design team shall be responsible for updates to their respective documents, develop and incorporate commissioning requirements into the construction documents and develop and implement a commissioning plan. The CxA shall verify the installation and performance of the systems to be commissioned, verify that training and operation and maintenance documentation have been provided to the owner’s operations staff and complete a commissioning report.

    Commissioning process activities shall be completed for the following energy-related systems, at a minimum:

    1. Heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems (mechanical and passive) and associated controls.
    2. Lighting and daylighting controls.
    3. Domestic hot water systems.
    4. Renewable energy systems (wind, solar, etc.).
    5. Building envelope systems.

    A6.204.4.1 Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR). The expectations and requirements of the building shall be documented by the owner and the designer before the design phase of the project begins. This shall be reviewed by the CxA. At a minimum, this documentation shall include the following:

    1. Environmental and sustainability goals.
    2. Energy efficiency goals.
    3. Indoor environmental quality requirements.

    2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE APPENDIX A6.1-3

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

    APPENDIX A6.1 — VOLUNTARY STANDARDS FOR HEALTH FACILITIES [OSHPD 1, 2 & 4]

    1. Equipment and systems expectations.
    2. Building occupant and O&M personnel expectations.

    A6.204.4.2 Basis of Design (BOD). A written explanation of how the design of the building systems meets the Owner’s Project Requirements shall be completed at the design phase of the building project and updated as necessary during the design and construction phases. This shall be reviewed by the CxA. At a minimum, the Basis of Design document shall cover the following systems:

    1. Heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems and controls.
    2. Indoor lighting system and controls.
    3. Water heating system.
    4. Renewable energy systems.

    A6.204.4.3 Commissioning plan. A commissioning plan shall be completed to document the approach to how the project will be commissioned and shall be started during the design phase of the building project. This shall be reviewed by the CxA. The Commissioning Plan shall include the following at a minimum:

    1. General project information.
    2. Commissioning goals.
    3. Systems to be commissioned. Plans to test systems and components shall include at a minimum: a. A detailed explanation of the original design intent; b. Equipment and systems to be tested, including the extent of tests; c. Functions to be tested;

    d. Conditions under which the test shall be performed; and e. Measurable criteria for acceptable performance. 4. Commissioning team information. 5. Commissioning process activities, schedules and responsibilities – plans for the completion of commissioning requirements listed in Sections A6.204.4.4 through A6.204.4.6 shall be included.

  • § 110.9 Medium relevance — show source text
    1. 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.

    1. Reserved.

    2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE 59

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

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

    1. 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.

    1. 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.

  • § 6.4 Medium relevance — show source text
    13(2)—BRACING REQUIREMENTS FOR STRAWBALE BRACED WALL PANELS BASED ON WIND SPEED Col2 Col3 Col4 Col5 Col6
    • EXPOSURE CATEGORY Bd
    • 25-FOOT MEAN ROOF HEIGHT
    • 10-FOOT EAVE-TO-RIDGE HEIGHTd
    • 10-FOOT WALL HEIGHTd
    • 2 BRACED WALL LINESd    		 • EXPOSURE CATEGORY Bd
    • 25-FOOT MEAN ROOF HEIGHT
    • 10-FOOT EAVE-TO-RIDGE HEIGHTd
    • 10-FOOT WALL HEIGHTd
    • 2 BRACED WALL LINESd    		 • EXPOSURE CATEGORY Bd
    • 25-FOOT MEAN ROOF HEIGHT
    • 10-FOOT EAVE-TO-RIDGE HEIGHTd
    • 10-FOOT WALL HEIGHTd
    • 2 BRACED WALL LINESd    		 MINIMUM TOTAL LENGTH (FEET) OF STRAWBALE
    BRACED WALL PANELS REQUIRED ALONG EACH BRACED WALL LINEa, b, c, d    		 MINIMUM TOTAL LENGTH (FEET) OF STRAWBALE
    BRACED WALL PANELS REQUIRED ALONG EACH BRACED WALL LINEa, b, c, d    		 MINIMUM TOTAL LENGTH (FEET) OF STRAWBALE
    BRACED WALL PANELS REQUIRED ALONG EACH BRACED WALL LINEa, b, c, d
    Ultimate
    design windspeed
    (mph)    		 Story
    location    		 Braced
    wall line spacing
    (feet)    		 Strawbale braced
    wall panele A2, A3    		 Strawbale braced wall
    panele C1, C2, D1    		 Strawbale braced wall
    panele B, D2, E1, E2
    ≤ 110 One-story
    building    		 10 6.4 3.8 3.0
    ≤ 110 One-story
    building    		 20 8.5 5.1 4.0
    ≤ 110 One-story
    building    		 30 10.2 6.1 4.8
    ≤ 110 One-story
    building    		 40 13.3 6.9 5.5
    ≤ 110 One-story
    building    		 50 16.3 7.7 6.1
    ≤ 110 One-story
    building    		 60 19.4 8.3 6.6
    ≤ 115 One-story
    building    		 10 6.4 3.8 3.0
    ≤ 115 One-story
    building    		 20 8.5 5.1 4.0
    ≤ 115 One-story
    building    		 30 11.2 6.4 5.1
    ≤ 115 One-story
    building    		 40 14.3 7.2 5.
  • § 4.5 Medium relevance — show source text

    B**|Exp. C|Exp. C|8|9|10|8|9|10|8|** 9**|10|8|9|10|8|9|10| |110|—|20|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5| |110|—|30|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5| |110|—|50|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5| |110|—|70|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|6.5|4.5|4.5|6.5| |115|—|20|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5| |115|—|30|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5| |115|—|50|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|6.5| |115|—|70|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|4.5|6.5|4.5|4.5|DR|4.5|4.5|DR| |130|110|20|4.5|4.5|6.5|4.5|4.5|6.5|4.5|4.5|6.5|4.5|4.5|DR|4.5|4.5|DR| |130|110|30|4.5|4.5|6.5|4.5|4.5|6.5|4.5|4.5|DR|4.5|4.5|DR|4.5|4.5|DR| |130|110|50|4.5|4.5|DR|4.5|4.5|DR|4.5|4.5|DR|4.5|6.5|DR|4.5|DR|DR| |130|110|70|4.

  • § 25.4 Medium relevance — show source text

    @48|4@48| |140|119|110|8|4@43|4@34|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48| |140|119|110|9|4@34|4@34|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48| |140|119|110|10|4@34|4@31|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48| |150|127|117|8|4@37|4@34|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48| |150|127|117|9|4@34|4@33|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48| |150|127|117|10|4@31|4@27|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48| |160|136|125|8|4@34|4@34|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48| |160|136|125|9|4@34|4@29|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48| |160|136|125|10|4@27|4@24|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48|4@48| |For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 mile per hour = 0.447 m/s, 1 pound per square inch = 1.895 kPa, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2.
    a. Table is based on ASCE 7 components and cladding wind pressures for an enclosed building using a mean roof height of 35 feet, interior wall area 4, an effective wind area of
    10 square feet, topographic factor,Kzt, equal to 1.0, and Risk Category II.
    b. Table is based on concrete with a minimum specified compressive strength of 2,500 psi.
    c. See Section R608.6.5 for location of reinforcement in wall.
    d. Deflection criterion is_L_/240, where_L_ is the unsupported height of the wall in inches.
    e. Interpolation is not permitted.
    f. Where No. 4 reinforcing bars at a spacing of 48 inches are specified in the table as indicated by shaded cells, use of bars with a minimum yield strength of 40,000 psi or 60,000
    psi is permitted.
    g. Other than for No.

Frequently asked questions

Who must receive the OPR and BOD?

The OPR is prepared by the owner (or owner’s rep) and the BOD by the design team; both are retained by the project team and included in the permit/compliance/commissioning package and delivered to the owner or owner’s representative as required by the code excerpts.

Must every building occupant get the systems manual or commissioning report?

The retrieved code excerpts require delivery of system manuals and the commissioning report to the owner or owner’s representative, not to each individual occupant. If occupant-facing summaries are desired, those are typically produced by the owner or property manager.

When must the commissioning plan be completed?

The commissioning plan must be completed prior to permit issuance and commissioning measures must be shown in the construction documents, per the code’s requirements for commissioning documentation.

Are OPR and BOD static or updated during construction?

The BOD must be completed in design and updated as necessary during the design and construction phases; the OPR is established before the design phase and used throughout the project.

Where do I include OPR/BOD in the permit package?

Include OPR/BOD as part of the project’s compliance/permit documentation and follow the certificate of compliance forms and construction document design review certificates referenced by the Energy Code.

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