CALGreen · California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)

What is the CALGreen title, purpose and scope?

Q: Is CALGreen the same as LEED or other certifications?

No. CALGreen is a minimum regulatory code; it is not intended to substitute for any third‑party green building certification program (see § 101.3 ) .

Q: Where do I look for state‑agency specific rules?

See § 101.3.1 and the cross‑references to Sections 103–106 for state‑regulated buildings and the agency adoption/enforcement rules (see § 101.3.1 ) .

Q: Does CALGreen apply to additions or renovations?

The base scope in § 101.3 focuses on new construction; other parts of the code address additions, alterations and retroactivity — check those specific sections to confirm applicability beyond new construction (see § 101.3 ) .

CALGreen is the California Green Building Standards Code (Part 11 of Title 24). Its purpose is to protect public health and welfare by promoting sustainable planning and design, energy and water efficiency, material conservation, and environmental quality. The code’s provisions apply to the planning, design, construction, use and occupancy of newly constructed buildings in California and explicitly are not a substitute for third‑party green building certification (see **§ 101.1**, **§ 101.2**, **§ 101.3**) .

Ask a question free See coverage

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

What the code requires — 2-4 sentences

CALGreen is officially titled the California Green Building Standards Code — commonly called CALGreen — and is Part 11 of the California Building Standards Code (§ 101.1) . The code’s purpose is to improve public health, safety and general welfare by encouraging building design and construction that reduce negative environmental impacts and promote sustainable construction across five categories: planning and design, energy efficiency, water efficiency and conservation, material conservation and resource efficiency, and environmental quality (§ 101.2) . The code’s scope makes its provisions applicable to the planning, design, operation, construction, use and occupancy of every newly constructed building or structure in California, unless the code indicates otherwise (§ 101.3) .

The single most important rule: CALGreen applies to newly constructed buildings statewide and requires projects to address sustainable design and construction goals in five clear categories. § 101.3, § 101.2.

Requirements in detail

Title (what the code is called)

The official name is the California Green Building Standards Code; commonly referred to as CALGreen. See § 101.1.

Purpose (why the code exists)

The primary objective is protection of public health, safety and general welfare by improving building design and construction with reduced negative or increased positive environmental impacts.
CALGreen lists five explicit focus categories that the code is intended to encourage: planning and design; energy efficiency; water efficiency and conservation; material conservation and resource efficiency; environmental quality — see § 101.2.

Scope (what buildings and activities are covered)

The code applies to the planning, design, operation, construction, use and occupancy of every newly constructed building or structure throughout California, unless a different section of the code says otherwise (§ 101.3) .
CALGreen is not intended to substitute for any third‑party green building certification program (explicit exclusion) (§ 101.3) .
The code also identifies specific state‑regulated applications that are covered when state agencies adopt provisions (see § 101.3.1 for the list and cross‑references to Sections 103–106) .

Decision‑relevant table

Decision dimension	What it means	Key value/term	Code Reference
Official name	How to cite the code	California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)	§ 101.1
Purpose categories	Topics the code aims to influence	Planning & design; Energy efficiency; Water efficiency; Material/resource efficiency; Environmental quality	§ 101.2
Applicability — building status	Type of building to which the core text applies	Newly constructed building or structure	§ 101.3
Applicability — phases covered	Project lifecycle phases covered	Planning, design, operation, construction, use and occupancy	§ 101.3
Limits on equivalency	Relationship to third‑party programs	Not intended as a substitute for green building certification	§ 101.3
State‑regulated applications	When state agency adoptions apply	See list and cross‑references to Sections 103–106 (state agency adoption and enforcement)	§ 101.3.1

Exceptions & special cases

The code text explicitly states it is not intended to be a substitute for meeting the requirements of any green building certification program — do not assume CALGreen equals LEED, Green Globes, etc. (See § 101.3) .
State agencies may adopt and enforce CALGreen provisions for state‑regulated buildings and applications; those adoptions are subject to the authority of the adopting state agency and the cross‑references in § 101.3.1 (Sections 103–106). When a state agency adopts provisions, enforcement is by the agency but only to the extent allowed by statute (§ 101.3.1) .
The general scope language limits the base applicability to new construction; other project types (additions, alterations, change of occupancy, repair, maintenance) may be covered elsewhere in the code — check the specific sections that address additions/alterations or retroactivity for applicability beyond new construction (§ 101.3) .

Common mistakes

Mistake: “Assuming CALGreen always governs existing buildings.” Correction: the core scope in § 101.3 focuses on newly constructed buildings; other sections must be checked to see whether alterations, additions or renovations are covered.
Mistake: “Treating CALGreen as the same as a third‑party green certification.” Correction: CALGreen is a regulatory code, not a certification program — it is explicitly not intended as a substitute for certification requirements (§ 101.3) .
Mistake: “Overlooking state‑regulated scope.” Correction: certain state‑regulated facilities (listed in § 101.3.1) have specific adoption/enforcement paths; do not assume local adoption rules apply to those facilities without checking § 101.3.1 and Sections 103–106.

Worked example — applying the rule with numbers

Scenario: A developer plans a new 50‑unit apartment building (new construction) in Los Angeles.

Does CALGreen apply? Yes — CALGreen expressly applies to the planning, design, construction, use and occupancy of newly constructed buildings in California, so this new apartment project falls squarely under CALGreen scope (§ 101.3) .
What must the design team consider? The design must address the code’s stated purposes: incorporate measures for planning and design, energy efficiency, water efficiency and conservation, material conservation and resource efficiency, and environmental quality (the five categories in § 101.2) .
What if the owner wants LEED certification instead? CALGreen does not substitute for third‑party certification; the project must meet CALGreen regulatory requirements regardless of voluntary certification pursuits — see § 101.3.

Related provisions

§ 101.3.1 — State‑regulated buildings, structures and applications (lists state facility types and cross‑references to Sections 103–106)
§ 103–106 — Sections referenced in § 101.3.1 covering agency‑specific scope and enforcement (see the code for agency‑specific scoping and enforcement provisions)
§ 101.7 / § 101.7.1 — Local amendments and required findings (local jurisdictions’ authority to modify CALGreen provisions and filing requirements) — see the code for local amendment procedures and required findings

Code references

Grounded in the retrieved California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

CALGreen § 101.1 High relevance — show source text
1 ADMINISTRATION

SECTION 101—GENERAL

101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the California Green Building Standards Code, may be cited as such, and will be referred to herein as “this code.” It is intended that it shall also be known as the CALGreen Code. The California Green Building Stan- dards Code is Part 11 of thirteen parts of the official compilation and publication of the adoption, amendment and repeal of building regulations to the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, also referred to as the California Building Standards Code.

101.2 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to improve public health, safety and general welfare by enhancing the design and construction of buildings through the use of building concepts having a reduced negative impact or positive environmental impact and encouraging sustainable construction practices in the following categories:
1. Planning and design.
2. Energy efficiency.
3. Water efficiency and conservation.
4. Material conservation and resource efficiency.
5. Environmental quality.
101.3 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the planning, design, operation, construction, use and occupancy of every newly constructed building or structure, unless otherwise indicated in this code, throughout the State of California.

It is not the intent that this code substitute or be identified as meeting the certification requirements of any green building

program.

101.3.1 State-regulated buildings, structures and applications. Provisions of this code shall apply to the following buildings, structures and applications regulated by state agencies as specified in Sections 103 through 106, except where modified by local ordinance pursuant to Section 101.7. When adopted by a state agency, the provisions of this code shall be enforced by the appropriate enforcing agency, but only to the extent of authority granted to such agency by statute.
1. State-owned buildings, including buildings constructed by the Trustees of the California State University, and to the extent permitted by California law, buildings designed and constructed by the Regents of the University of California and regulated by the Building Standards Commission. See Section 103 for additional scoping provisions.
2. Energy efficiency standards regulated by the California Energy Commission.
3. All residential buildings constructed throughout the State of California, including but not limited to, hotels, motels, lodging houses, apartments, dwellings, dormitories, condominiums, shelters for homeless persons, congregate residences, employee housing, factory-built housing and other types of dwellings containing sleeping accommodations with or without common toilets or cooking facilities regulated by the Department of Housing and Community Development. See Section 104 for additional scoping provisions.
4. Public elementary and secondary schools, and community college buildings regulated by the Division of the State Architect. See Section 105 for additional scoping provisions.
5. Qualified historical buildings and structures and their associated sites regulated by the State Historical Building Safety Board within the Division of the State Architect.
6. General acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals, skilled nursing and/or intermediate care facilities, clinics licensed by the Department of Public Health and correctional treatment centers regulated by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. See Section 106 for additional scoping provisions.
7. Graywater systems regulated by the Department of Water Resources and the Department of Housing and Community Development.
8. Green building standards for occupancies where no state agency has authority or expertise, adopted by the California Building Standards Commission. See Section 103 for additional scoping provisions.
CALGreen § 1-1 High relevance — show source text
agency|BSC|BSC-
CG|SFM|1|2|1/AC|AC|SS|1|1R|2|3|4|5|5|5|5|5|5|5|5|5| |Adopt entire CA chapter||||||||||||||||||||||| |Adopt entire chapter as
amended (amended
sections listed below)||||||||||||||||||||||| |Adopt only those sections
that are listed below||X||X||||X|X||X||X|||||||||| |Chapter/Section||||||||||||||||||||||| |101||X||X||||X|X||X||X|||||||||| |102||X||X||||X|X||X||X|||||||||| |103||X||||||||||||||||||||| |104||||X||||||||||||||||||| |105||||||||X||||||||||||||| |106|||||||||X||X||X||||||||||

2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE 1-1

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

1-2 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

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

1 ADMINISTRATION

SECTION 101—GENERAL

101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the California Green Building Standards Code, may be cited as such, and will be referred to herein as “this code.” It is intended that it shall also be known as the CALGreen Code. The California Green Building Stan- dards Code is Part 11 of thirteen parts of the official compilation and publication of the adoption, amendment and repeal of building regulations to the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, also referred to as the California Building Standards Code.

101.2 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to improve public health, safety and general welfare by enhancing the design and construction of buildings through the use of building concepts having a reduced negative impact or positive environmental impact and encouraging sustainable construction practices in the following categories:
1. Planning and design.
2. Energy efficiency.
3. Water efficiency and conservation.
4. Material conservation and resource efficiency.
5. Environmental quality.
101.3 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the planning, design, operation, construction, use and occupancy of every newly constructed building or structure, unless otherwise indicated in this code, throughout the State of California.

It is not the intent that this code substitute or be identified as meeting the certification requirements of any green building

program.

101.3.1 State-regulated buildings, structures and applications. Provisions of this code shall apply to the following buildings, structures and applications regulated by state agencies as specified in Sections 103 through 106, except where modified by local ordinance pursuant to Section 101.7. When adopted by a state agency, the provisions of this code shall be enforced by the appropriate enforcing agency, but only to the extent of authority granted to such agency by statute. 1.

CALGreen § 1.5 Medium relevance — show source text

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

APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS

2025 CWUIC—continued	Col2	Adopted Yes/No	IWUIC Section	CBC Section	CFC Section	Title 14, Division 1.5 Section	Title 19, Division 1 Section	Gov Code Section	PRC Section	HSC Section
Section	Title	Title	Title	Title	Title	Title	Title	Title	Title	Title
Chapter 1	*Division I—California Administration*	*Division I—California Administration*	*Division I—California Administration*	*Division I—California Administration*	*Division I—California Administration*	*Division I—California Administration*	*Division I—California Administration*	*Division I—California Administration*	*Division I—California Administration*	*Division I—California Administration*
1.12	Board of Forestry	N
1.12.1	BoF—Board of Forestry	N				1270.00 1270.01 1270.02 1270.03 1270.04 1270.05 1270.06 1270.07 1270.08
1.12.2	Agency Identification	N
Chapter 1	_Division II—_Scope and Administration	_Division II—_Scope and Administration	_Division II—_Scope and Administration	_Division II—_Scope and Administration	_Division II—_Scope and Administration	_Division II—_Scope and Administration	_Division II—_Scope and Administration	_Division II—_Scope and Administration	_Division II—_Scope and Administration	_Division II—_Scope and Administration
101	Scope and general requirements
101.1	Title	Y
101.2	Scope	Y		701A.1	4901.1
101.2.1	Appendices	N
101.3	Purpose	N		701A.2	4901.2
101.3.1	Application	Y		701A.3
101.3.1.1	Application date and where required	Y		701A.3.1
101.4	Retroactivity	N
101.5	Additions or alterations	N
101.6	Maintenance	Y
102	Applicability	Y
102.1	General	Y
102.2	Other laws	Y
102.3	Application of references	N
102.4	Referenced codes and standards	N
102.4.1	Conflicts	N
102.4.2	Provisions in referenced codes and standards	N
102.

CALGreen § 8-10 Medium relevance — show source text
8-10 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

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

COMPLIANCE FORMS, WORKSHEETS AND REFERENCE MATERIAL

Title 23, Waters, California Code of Regulations

MWELO and supporting documents, including a water budget calculator, are available at: https://www.water.ca.gov/.

2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE 8-11

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

8-12 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

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

COMPLIANCE FORMS, WORKSHEETS AND REFERENCE MATERIAL

Commissioning Referenced Standards for Non-Energy Systems

The following CALGreen Referenced Standards are included herein as a convenience for the users of the California Green Building Standards Code, but they are not considered to be part of the code unless they are officially adopted by a local jurisdiction.

Contents Page Part 1: Standards for Compliance with Building Commissioning 8-14 Part 2: Commissioning Sample Forms and Templates 8-23

2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE 8-13

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

COMPLIANCE FORMS, WORKSHEETS AND REFERENCE MATERIAL

PART 1 STANDARDS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH BUILDING COMMISSIONING

Reference: Section 5.410.2, Commissioning.

Introduction:

The purpose of this code is to improve public health, safety and general welfare by enhancing the design and construction of buildings through the use of concepts that reduce negative and increase positive environmental impacts. Commissioning is a vital element in this effort.

Definitions used in the CALGreen Cx Reference standard:

Acronyms

BOD Basis of Design

Cx Commissioning

FPT Functional Performance Test

HVAC Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning

O&M Operations and Maintenance

OPR Owner’s Project Requirements

Glossary:

Acceptance Criteria— The conditions that must be met for systems or equipment to meet defined and expected outcomes.

Commissioning (Cx)— Building commissioning as required in this code involves a quality assurance process that begins during design and continues to occupancy. Commissioning verifies that the new building operates as the owner intended and that building staff are prepared to operate and maintain its systems and equipment. Exceptions are allowed for dry storage warehouses of any size and conditioned spaces under 10,000 square feet accessory to them; and for tenant improvements under 10,000 square feet within a larger space.

Owner— The individual or entity holding title to the property on which the building is constructed.

Commissioning Coordinator— The person who coordinates the commissioning process. This can be either a third-party commissioning provider or an experienced member of the design team or owner in-house staff member.

Commissioning Team— The key members of each party involved with the project designated to provide insight and carry out tasks necessary for a successful commissioning project. Team members may include the commissioning coordinator, owner or owner’s representative, building staff, design professionals, contractors or manufacturer’s representatives and testing specialists.

CALGreen § 301.3 Medium relevance — show source text

A5.602

CALGreen VERIFICATION GUIDELINES MANDATORY MEASURES CHECKLIST

Application: This checklist shall be used for nonresidential projects that meet one of the following: new construction, building additions of 1,000 square feet or greater, or building alterations with a permit valuation of $200,000 or more pursuant to Section 301.3 AND do not trigger a Tier 1 or Tier 2 requirement:

Y = Yes (section has been selected and/or included)

— N/A = Not Applicable (code section does not apply to the project mainly used for additions and alterations) O = Other (provide explanation)

[N] = New construction pursuant to Section 301.3

[A ] = Additions and/or Alterations pursuant to Section 301.3

CHAPTER 5 DIVISIONS	Col2	SECTION TITLE	CODE SECTION
DIVISION 5.1 Planning and Design	Mandatory	Deconstruction and reuse of existing structures, Scope with Exception	5.105.1
DIVISION 5.1 Planning and Design	Mandatory	Reuse of existing building & Verification of compliance with note	5.105.2 and 5.105.2.1
DIVISION 5.1 Planning and Design	Mandatory	Storm water pollution prevention for projects that disturb less than 1 acre of land	5.106.1 through 5.106.2
DIVISION 5.1 Planning and Design	Mandatory	Short-term bicycle parking (with exception)	5.106.4.1.1
DIVISION 5.1 Planning and Design	Mandatory	Long-term bicycle parking	5.106.4.1.2 through 5.106.4.1.2.3
DIVISION 5.1 Planning and Design	Mandatory	Electric vehicle (EV) charging [N] with Section 5.106.3.1, 5.106.5.3.2 and associated Table 5.106.5.3.1 OR Independently Power Allocation Method: Section 5.106.5.3.6 and associated Table 5.106.5.3.6	5.106.5.3.1, 5.106.5.3.2, Table 5.106.5.3.1, 5.106.5.3.2.1, 5.106.5.3.2.2, 5.106.5.3.2.3, 5.106.5.3.2.4, 5.106.5.3.3, 5.106.5.3.4 and 5.106.5.3.5 OR 5.106.5.3.3, 5.106.5.3.4, 5.106.5.3.5, 5.106.5.3.6,

CALGreen § 1-1 Medium relevance — show source text

INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INDEX-1

HISTORY NOTE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HIST-1

2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE vii

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

viii 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

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

CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

CHAPTER 1 – ADMINISTRATION

(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)

Adopting agency	BSC	BSC- CG	SFM	HCD	Col6	Col7	DSA	Col9	OSHPD	Col11	Col12	Col13	Col14	Col15	BSCC	DPH	AGR	DWR	CEC	CA	SL	SLC
Adopting agency	BSC	BSC- CG	SFM	1	2	1/AC	AC	SS	1	1R	2	3	4	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5
Adopt entire CA chapter
Adopt entire chapter as amended (amended sections listed below)
Adopt only those sections that are listed below		X		X				X	X		X		X
Chapter/Section
101		X		X				X	X		X		X
102		X		X				X	X		X		X
103		X
104				X
105								X
106									X		X		X

2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE 1-1

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

1-2 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

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

1 ADMINISTRATION

SECTION 101—GENERAL

CALGreen § 5.102 Medium relevance — show source text
101||||||||X||||||||||||||| |5.102 Definitions||||||||X||||||||||||||| |5.105||||||||X||||||||||||||| |5.105.1 Scope||||||||X||||||||||||||| |5.106.4.2 and subsections||†||||||X||||||||||||||| |5.106.5.6 and subsections||†||||||X||||||||||||||| |5.106.8||||||||X||||||||||||||| |5.106.10||||||||X||||||||||||||| |5.106.12 and subsections||†||||||X|||||||||||||||

The state agency does not adopt sections identified with the following symbol: †

2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE 5-1

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

5-2 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

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

5 NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES

DIVISION 5.1 – PLANNING AND DESIGN

SECTION 5.101—GENERAL

5.101.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter outline planning, design and development methods that include environmentally responsible site selection, building design, building siting and development to protect, restore and enhance the environmental quality of the site and respect the integrity of adjacent properties.

SECTION 5.102—DEFINITIONS

5.102.1 Definitions. The following terms are defined in Chapter 2.

CUTOFF LUMINAIRES.

TENANT-OCCUPANTS.

ZEV.

SECTION 5.103—SITE SELECTION (RESERVED)

SECTION 5.104—SITE PRESERVATION (RESERVED)

SECTION 5.105—DECONSTRUCTION AND REUSE OF EXISTING STRUCTURES

5.105.1 Scope.

[BSC-CG] Effective July 1, 2024, alteration(s) to existing building(s) where the combined altered floor area is 100,000 square feet or greater shall comply with either Section 5.105.2, 5.409.2, or 5.409.3. Addition(s) to existing building(s) where the total floor area combined with the existing building(s) is 100,000 square feet or greater shall comply with either Section 5.105.2, Section 5.409.2, or Section 5.409.3. Effective January 1, 2026, the combined floor area shall be 50,000 square feet or greater.

[DSA-SS] Alteration(s) to existing building(s) where the combined altered floor area is 50,000 square feet or greater shall comply with either Section 5.105.2, 5.409.2, or 5.409.3. Addition(s) to existing building(s) where the total floor area combined with the existing building(s) is 50,000 square feet or greater shall comply with either Section 5.105.2, Section 5.409.2, or Section 5.409.3.

Exception [BSC-CG, DSA-SS]: Combined addition(s) to existing building(s) of two times the area or more of the existing building(s) is not eligible to meet compliance with Section 5.105.2.
CALGreen § 952-8356 Medium relevance — show source text
[HCD 1, 2, 1-AC] hcd.ca.gov Title24@hcd.ca.gov (800) 952-8356

Option 5 > Option 2 State Housing Law: including Housing Accessibility, Hotels/Motels, Apartments/Condominiums, Dormitories, Single-Family Dwellings, ADUs, Permanent Structures in Mobile Home Parks

Option 5 > Option 4 Factory-Built Housing Option 5 > Option 5 Employee Housing

Department of Water Resources [DWR]

water.ca.gov DWRwebcomment@water.ca.gov

(916) 653-5791 Plumbing for Recycled Water, Floodplain Construction

Division of the State Architect

dgs.ca.gov/DSA (916) 445-8100

Access Compliance DSAAC 445-5827 DSAaccess@dgs.ca.gov Access for Persons with Disabilities

Structural Safety [DSA-SS, DSA-SS/CC]

Public Schools & Community Colleges, State Essential Services Buildings

State Historical Building Safety Board [SHBSB] (916) 445-7627 shbsb@dgs.ca.gov

Historical Building Rehabilitation, Preservation, Restoration or Relocation

Energy Commission [CEC]

energy.ca.gov Title24@energy.ca.gov (800) 772-3300 Building Energy Efficiency, Compliance Manual & Compliance Forms

Office of the State Fire Marshal [SFM]

osfm.fire.ca.gov codedevelopment@fire.ca.gov

(916) 568-3800 Fire & Life Safety

State Lands Commission [SLC]

slc.ca.gov MOTEMS.Public@slc.ca.gov (510) 741-4950 Marine Oil Terminals

State Librarian [SL]

library.ca.gov csllaw@library.ca.gov (916) 323-9843 Public Library Construction & Renovation

2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE v

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

HOW TO DETERMINE WHERE CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE

Symbols in the margins indicate where changes have been made or language has been deleted.

This symbol indicates that a change has been made.
- This symbol indicates deletion of language.
vi 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

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

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3

102 Construction Documents

and Installation Verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-5
CALGreen § 568-3800 Medium relevance — show source text
Office of the State Fire Marshal [SFM]

osfm.fire.ca.gov codedevelopment@fire.ca.gov

(916) 568-3800 Fire & Life Safety

State Lands Commission [SLC]

slc.ca.gov MOTEMS.Public@slc.ca.gov (510) 741-4950 Marine Oil Terminals

State Librarian [SL]

library.ca.gov csllaw@library.ca.gov (916) 323-9843 Public Library Construction & Renovation

2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE v

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

HOW TO DETERMINE WHERE CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE

Symbols in the margins indicate where changes have been made or language has been deleted.

This symbol indicates that a change has been made.
- This symbol indicates deletion of language.
vi 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

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

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3

102 Construction Documents

and Installation Verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-5

103 Building Standards Commission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-5 104 Department of Housing and Community Development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6 105 Division of the State Architect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6

106 Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6

CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

201 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

202 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

CHAPTER 3 GREEN BUILDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

301 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
CALGreen § 105.1.2 Medium relevance — show source text
Authority cited— Education Code Sections 17310 and 81142.

Reference— Education Code Sections 17280 through 17317, and 81130 through 81147.

105.1.2 Applicable administrative standards.
1. Title 24, Part 1, California Code of Regulations : Sections 4-301 through 4-355, Group 1, Chapter 4, for public elementary and secondary schools, and community colleges.
2. Title 24, Part 2, California Code of Regulations : 2.1. Sections 1.1 and 1.9.2 of Chapter 1, Division I. 2.2. Sections 102.1, 102.2, 102.3, 102.4, 102.5, 104.9, 104.10 and 104.11 of Chapter 1, Division II.
105.1.3 Applicable building standards. California Building Standards Code, Title 24, Parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11 and 12, California Code of Regulations, for school buildings and community colleges.

SECTION 106—OFFICE OF STATEWIDE HEALTH PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

106.1 OSHPD 1. Specific scope of application of the agency responsible for enforcement, enforcement agency and the specific authority to adopt and enforce such provisions of this code, unless otherwise stated.

Application— General acute care hospitals and acute psychiatric hospitals, excluding distinct part units or distinct part freestanding buildings providing skilled nursing or intermediate care services. For structural regulations: Skilled nursing facilities and/or intermediate care facilities except those skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities of single-story, Type V, wood or light steel-frame construction.

Enforcing agency— Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD). The office shall enforce the Division of the State Architect—Access Compliance regulations and the regulations of the Office of the State Fire Marshal for the above-stated facility types.

106.1.1 Applicable administrative standards.
1. Title 24, Part 1, California Code of Regulations: Chapters 6 and 7.
2. Title 24, Part 2, California Code of Regulations: Sections 1.1 and 1.10 of Chapter 1, Division I and Chapter 1, Division II.
106.1.2 Applicable building standards. California Building Standards Code, Title 24, Parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 11 and 12.

106.1.3 Identification of amendments. For applications listed in Section 106.1, amendments appear in this code preceded with the acronym [OSHPD 1].

Authority— Health and Safety Code Sections 127010, 127015, 1275 and 129850.

Reference— Health and Safety Code Sections 19958, 127010, 127015, 129680, 1275 and 129675 through 130070.

1-6 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

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

ADMINISTRATION

106.2 OSHPD 2. Specific scope of application of the agency responsible for enforcement, enforcement agency and the specific authority to adopt and enforce such provisions of this code, unless otherwise stated.
CALGreen § 6.10 Medium relevance — show source text
84|6.10|6.30|6.61|6.84|7.00| |45|75|30|5.75|6.00|6.19|6.47|6.68|6.83| |44|75|31|5.67|5.91|6.08|6.34|6.53|6.67| |43|75|32|5.59|5.82|5.99|6.23|6.39|6.52| |42|75|33|5.51|5.74|5.90|6.12|6.27|6.39| |41|75|34|5.43|5.66|5.81|6.02|6.16|6.26| |46|80|34|5.43|5.66|5.81|6.02|6.16|6.26| |40|75|35|5.35|5.58|5.73|5.93|6.06|6.15| |45|80|35|5.35|5.58|5.73|5.93|6.06|6.15| |44|80|36|5.26|5.50|5.65|5.84|5.96|6.05| |43|80|37|5.16|5.42|5.57|5.76|5.87|5.96| |42|80|38|5.06|5.33|5.49|5.67|5.79|5.87| |41|80|39|4.95|5.24|5.41|5.60|5.71|5.78| |46|85|39|4.95|5.24|5.41|5.60|5.71|5.78| |40|80|40|4.83|5.14|5.32|5.52|5.63|5.70| |45|85|40|4.83|5.14|5.32|5.52|5.63|5.70| |44|85|41|4.69|5.04|5.253|5.43|5.55|5.62| |43|85|42|4.55|4.93|5.13|5.35|5.47|5.54| |42|85|43|4.38|4.80|5.03|5.26|5.38|5.46| |41|85|44|4.21|4.67|4.91|5.17|5.30|5.38| |40|85|45|4.01|4.52|4.79|5.06|5.20|5.29| |Condenser DT2|Condenser DT2|Condenser DT2|14.04|11.23|9.36|7.02|5.62|4.68| |1. LIFT = Entering Condenser Water Temperature (°F) – Leaving Chilled Water Temperature (°F)
2.
CALGreen § 7.11 Medium relevance — show source text
80|7.11|7.35|7.71|7.97|8.16| |45|75|30|6.71|6.99|7.21|7.55|7.78|7.96| |44|75|31|6.61|6.89|7.09|7.40|7.61|7.77| |43|75|32|6.52|6.79|6.98|7.26|7.45|7.60| |42|75|33|6.43|6.69|6.87|7.13|7.31|7.44| |41|75|34|6.33|6.60|6.77|7.02|7.18|7.30| |46|80|34|6.33|6.60|6.77|7.02|7.18|7.30| |40|75|35|6.23|6.50|6.68|6.91|7.06|7.17| |45|80|35|6.23|6.50|6.68|6.91|7.06|7.17| |44|80|36|6.13|6.41|6.58|6.81|6.95|7.05| |43|80|37|6.02|6.31|6.49|6.71|6.85|6.94| |42|80|38|5.90|6.21|6.40|6.61|6.75|6.84| |41|80|39|5.77|6.11|6.30|6.52|6.65|6.74| |46|85|39|5.77|6.11|6.30|6.52|6.65|6.74| |40|80|40|5.63|6.00|6.20|6.43|6.56|6.65| |45|85|40|5.63|6.00|6.20|6.43|6.56|6.65| |44|85|41|5.47|5.87|6.10|6.33|6.47|6.55| |43|85|42|5.30|5.74|5.98|6.24|6.37|6.46| |42|85|43|5.11|5.60|5.86|6.13|6.28|6.37| |41|85|44|4.90|5.44|5.72|6.02|6.17|6.27| |40|85|45|4.68|5.26|5.58|5.90|6.07|6.17| |Condenser DT2|Condenser DT2|Condenser DT2|14.04|11.23|9.36|7.02|5.62|4.68| |1. LIFT = Entering Condenser Water Temperature (°F) – Leaving Chilled Water Temperature (°F)
2.

Frequently asked questions

What buildings are covered by CALGreen?

CALGreen applies to the planning, design, operation, construction, use and occupancy of newly constructed buildings or structures in California (see § 101.3) .

Is CALGreen the same as LEED or other certifications?

No. CALGreen is a minimum regulatory code; it is not intended to substitute for any third‑party green building certification program (see § 101.3) .

Where do I look for state‑agency specific rules?

See § 101.3.1 and the cross‑references to Sections 103–106 for state‑regulated buildings and the agency adoption/enforcement rules (see § 101.3.1) .

Does CALGreen apply to additions or renovations?

The base scope in § 101.3 focuses on new construction; other parts of the code address additions, alterations and retroactivity — check those specific sections to confirm applicability beyond new construction (see § 101.3) .

Can a city adopt a stricter CALGreen rule?

Yes. Local jurisdictions can adopt amendments, additions, or deletions, but those local changes must follow the procedures and findings required by the code and state law (see § 101.7 / § 101.7.1 for amendment and filing requirements) .

Ask about the CALGreen

Get cited, plain-English answers on the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) for your project — any code section, any scenario.

Start Free Trial

Related in the CALGreen

Effective dates; which measures are mandatory vs voluntary

Which occupancies and state agencies does Chapter 1 assign (who enforces what)

Scope & General Requirements

California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)

What is the CALGreen title, purpose and scope?

What the code requires — 2-4 sentences

Requirements in detail

Title (what the code is called)

Purpose (why the code exists)

Scope (what buildings and activities are covered)

Exceptions & special cases

Common mistakes

Worked example — applying the rule with numbers

Related provisions

Code references

1 ADMINISTRATION

1 ADMINISTRATION

Title 23, Waters, California Code of Regulations

Commissioning Referenced Standards for Non-Energy Systems

PART 1 STANDARDS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH BUILDING COMMISSIONING

1 ADMINISTRATION

5 NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES

HOW TO DETERMINE WHERE CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE

CONTENTS

HOW TO DETERMINE WHERE CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE

CONTENTS

Frequently asked questions

More in California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)

Ask about the CALGreen

Related in the CALGreen