CALGreen · California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)

Water Efficiency & Conservation (Division 5.3)

Division 5.3 establishes statewide mandatory and elective measures for indoor fixtures, submetering, and outdoor irrigation to reduce potable water use in buildings and landscapes.

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

Division 5.3 of the CALGreen (Chapter 5 — Nonresidential Mandatory Measures) sets statewide requirements and performance targets to cut potable water use in buildings and landscapes. It covers mandatory plumbing fixture and fitting limits, submetering, hot-water and appliance measures, and outdoor landscape irrigation controls — for example, separate meters are required in certain new buildings or large additions (§5.303.1.1) and fixture flow limits such as water closets not exceeding 1.28 gallons per flush are specified (§5.303.3.1) .

The division also addresses outdoor potable water use and landscape strategies through §5.304 and provides elective/voluntary pathways (Appendix A5) and tiered water-reduction options for projects seeking additional performance credit (see the Tier 1 water reduction prerequisite in A5.303.2.3.1). For quick orientation, start with the indoor plumbing sections in 5.303 and the outdoor landscape provisions in 5.304, then consult Appendix A5 for voluntary measures and elective nonpotable/dual‑plumbing options .

In this section

Code references

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

  • CALGreen § 106.5.5.1 High relevance — show source text

    106.5.5.1|5.106.5.5 and
    5.106.5.5.1||||| |DIVISION 5.1
    Planning and
    Design|Mandatory|Light pollution reduction [N] (with exceptions, notes and table)|5.106.8 through
    5.106.8.2||||| |DIVISION 5.1
    Planning and
    Design|Mandatory|Grading and paving (exception for additions and alterations
    not altering the drainage path)|5.106.10||||| |DIVISION 5.2
    Energy
    Efficiency|Mandatory|Meet the minimum energy efficiency standard|5.201.1|||||

    APPENDIX A5-44 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

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

    APPENDIX A5NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

    CHAPTER 5
    DIVISIONS
    Col2 SECTION TITLE CODE
    SECTION
    Y N/A O PLAN SHEET,
    SPEC OR
    ATTACH
    DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Mandatory Separate meters (new buildings or additions > 50,000 sf
    that consume more than 100 gal/day)
    5.303.1.1
    DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Mandatory Separate meters (for tenants in new buildings or additions
    that consume more than 1,000 gal/day)
    5.303.1.2
    DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Mandatory Water closets shall not exceed 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf) 5.303.3.1
    DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Mandatory Wall-mounted urinals shall not exceed 0.125 gpf 5.303.3.2.1
    DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Mandatory Floor-mounted urinals shall not exceed 0.5 gpf 5.303.3.2.2
    DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Mandatory Single showerhead shall have maximum flow rate of 1.8
    gpm (gallons per minute) at 80 psi
    5.303.3.3.1
    DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Mandatory Multiple showerheads serving one shower shall have
    a combined flow rate of 1.8 gpm at 80 psi
    5.303.3.3.2
    **DIVISION 5.
  • CALGreen § 5.303.6 High relevance — show source text

    3**
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Standards for plumbing fixtures and fittings|5.303.6||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Outdoor potable water use in landscape areas (with notes)|5.304.1||||| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    (continued)|Mandatory|Weather protection|5.407.1||||| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    (continued)|Mandatory|Moisture control: sprinklers|5.407.2.1||||| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    (continued)|Mandatory|Moisture control: exterior door protection|5.407.2.2.1||||| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    (continued)|Mandatory|Moisture control: flashing|5.407.2.2.2||||| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    (continued)|Mandatory|Construction waste management—comply with either:
    Sections 5.408.1.1, 5.408.1.2, 5.408.1.3 or more stringent
    local ordinance|5.408.1.1,
    5.408.1.2,
    5.408.1.3||||| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    (continued)|Mandatory|Construction waste management: documentation|5.408.1.4||||| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    (continued)|Mandatory|Universal waste [A]|5.408.2||||| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    (continued)|Mandatory|Excavated soil and land clearing debris (100% reuse or
    recycle) with Exception and Notes|5.408.3||||| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    (continued)|Mandatory|Life Cycle Assessment, Scope, Whole building life cycle
    assessment with Notes, Building components, Reference
    study period, and Verification of compliance|5.409.1,
    5.409.2,
    5.409.2.1,
    5.409.2.2 and
    5.409.2.3||||| |**DIVISION 5.

  • CALGreen § 5.303.3.4.1 High relevance — show source text

    3**
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Nonresidential lavatory faucets|5.303.3.4.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Kitchen faucets|5.303.3.4.2||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Wash fountains|5.303.3.4.3||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Metering faucets|5.303.3.4.4||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Metering faucets for wash fountains|5.303.3.4.5||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Pre-rinse spray valve|5.303.3.4.6||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Food waste disposers|5.303.4.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Areas of additions or alterations|5.303.5||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Standards for plumbing fixtures and fittings|5.303.6||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Outdoor potable water use in landscape areas (with notes)|5.304.1||||| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    (continued)|Mandatory|Weather protection|5.407.1||||| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    (continued)|Mandatory|Moisture control: sprinklers|5.407.2.1||||| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    (continued)|Mandatory|Moisture control: exterior door protection|5.407.2.2.1||||| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    (continued)|Mandatory|Moisture control: flashing|5.407.2.2.2||||| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    (continued)|Mandatory|Construction waste management—comply with either:
    Sections 5.408.

  • CALGreen § 0.125 High relevance — show source text

    3**
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Wall-mounted urinals shall not exceed 0.125 gpf|5.303.3.2.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Floor-mounted urinals shall not exceed 0.5 gpf|5.303.3.2.2||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Single showerhead shall have maximum flow rate of 1.8 gpm
    (gallons per minute) at 80 psi|5.303.3.3.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Multiple showerheads serving one shower shall have a
    combined flow rate of 1.8 gpm at 80 psi|5.303.3.3.2||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Nonresidential lavatory faucets|5.303.3.4.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Kitchen faucets|5.303.3.4.2||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Wash fountains|5.303.3.4.3||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Metering faucets|5.303.3.4.4||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Metering faucets for wash fountains|5.303.3.4.5||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|**DIVISION 5.

  • CALGreen § 5.303.1.1 High relevance — show source text

    3**
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Separate meters (new buildings or additions > 50,000 sf that
    consume more than 100 gal/day)|5.303.1.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Separate meters (for tenants in new buildings or additions that
    consume more than 1,000 gal/day)|5.303.1.2||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Tier 1
    Prerequisite|Water reduction Tier 1—12% savings over the “water use base-
    line” in Table A5.303.2.2 or meet Table A5.303.2.3.1|A5.303.2.3.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Water closets shall not exceed 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf)|5.303.3.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Wall-mounted urinals shall not exceed 0.125 gpf|5.303.3.2.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Floor-mounted urinals shall not exceed 0.5 gpf|5.303.3.2.2||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Single showerhead shall have maximum flow rate of 1.8 gpm
    (gallons per minute) at 80 psi|5.303.3.3.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Multiple showerheads serving one shower shall have a
    combined flow rate of 1.8 gpm at 80 psi|5.303.3.3.2||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|**DIVISION 5.

  • CALGreen § 212.1.1 High relevance — show source text

    2**
    Energy
    Efficiency|Elective|Elevators with car lights and fan|A5.212.1.1,
    A5.212.1.1.1||||| |DIVISION 5.2
    Energy
    Efficiency|DIVISION 5.2
    Energy
    Efficiency|Elective|Escalators|A5.212.1.2||||| |DIVISION 5.2
    Energy
    Efficiency|DIVISION 5.2
    Energy
    Efficiency|Elective|Controls that reduce energy|A5.212.1.4||||| |DIVISION 5.2
    Energy
    Efficiency|DIVISION 5.2
    Energy
    Efficiency|Elective|Steel framing|A5.213.1|||||

    2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE APPENDIX A5-49

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

    APPENDIX A5NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

    CHAPTER 5
    DIVISIONS
    Col2 Col3 SECTION TITLE CODE
    SECTION
    Y N O PLAN SHEET,
    SPEC OR
    ATTACH
    DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Mandatory Separate meters (new buildings or additions > 50,000 sf that
    consume more than 100 gal/day)
    5.303.1.1
    DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Mandatory Separate meters (for tenants in new buildings or additions that
    consume more than 1,000 gal/day)
    5.303.1.2
    DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Tier 1
    Prerequisite
    Water reduction Tier 1—12% savings over the “water use base-
    line” in Table A5.303.2.2 or meet Table A5.303.2.3.1
    A5.303.2.3.1
    DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Mandatory Water closets shall not exceed 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf) 5.303.3.
  • CALGreen § 303.3.4.1 High relevance — show source text

    303.3.4.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Kitchen faucets|5.303.3.4.2||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Wash fountains|5.303.3.4.3||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Metering faucets|5.303.3.4.4||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Metering faucets for wash fountains|5.303.3.4.5||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Pre-rinse spray valve|5.303.3.4.6||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Food waste disposers|5.303.4.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Areas of additions or alterations|5.303.5||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Standards for plumbing fixtures and fittings|5.303.6||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation|Mandatory|Outdoor potable water use in landscape areas (with notes)|5.304.1||||| ||Select One Elective|Elective|Nonpotable water systems for indoor use|A5.303.2.3.4||||| ||Select One Elective|Elective|Appliances and fixtures for commercial application|_A5.303.

  • CALGreen § 5.3 High relevance — show source text

    3**
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Mandatory|Wash fountains|5.303.3.4.3||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Mandatory|Metering faucets|5.303.3.4.4||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Mandatory|Metering faucets for wash fountains|5.303.3.4.5||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Mandatory|Pre-rinse spray valve|5.303.3.4.6||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Mandatory|Food waste disposers|5.303.4.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Mandatory|Areas of additions or alterations|5.303.5||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Mandatory|Standards for plumbing fixtures and fittings|5.303.6||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Mandatory|Outdoor potable water use in landscape areas (with notes)|5.304.1||||| |**DIVISION 5.

  • CALGreen § 5.3 High relevance — show source text

    6||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Mandatory|Food waste disposers|5.303.4.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Mandatory|Areas of additions or alterations|5.303.5||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Mandatory|Standards for plumbing fixtures and fittings|5.303.6||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Mandatory|Outdoor potable water use in landscape areas (with notes)|5.304.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Select Three Electives|Elective|Nonpotable water systems for indoor use|A5.303.2.3.4||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Select Three Electives|Elective|Appliances and fixtures for commercial application|A5.303.3||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Select Three Electives|Elective|Nonwater urinals|A5.303.4.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Select Three Electives|Elective|Dual plumbing|A5.303.5||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Select Three Electives|Elective|Outdoor potable water use|A5.304.2||||| |**DIVISION 5.

  • CALGreen § 304.1 High relevance — show source text

    304.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Select Three Electives|Elective|Nonpotable water systems for indoor use|A5.303.2.3.4||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Select Three Electives|Elective|Appliances and fixtures for commercial application|A5.303.3||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Select Three Electives|Elective|Nonwater urinals|A5.303.4.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Select Three Electives|Elective|Dual plumbing|A5.303.5||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Select Three Electives|Elective|Outdoor potable water use|A5.304.2||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Select Three Electives|Elective|Restoration of areas disturbed by construction|A5.304.6||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Select Three Electives|Elective|Previously developed sites (with exception)|A5.304.7||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Select Three Electives|Elective|Graywater irrigation system|A5.304.8||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Select Three Electives|Elective|Nonpotable water systems|A5.305.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Select Three Electives|Elective|Irrigation systems|A5.305.2||||| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    (continued)|**DIVISION 5.

  • CALGreen § 5.409.3.1 Medium relevance — show source text

    4**
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    Select One Elective|Mandatory|Life Cycle Assessment, Scope, Product GWP compliance –
    prescriptive path, 5.409.3.1 with Exception and Exception
    EQUATION, Verification of compliance and Product GWP
    Limits Table with Footnotes|5.409.1, 5.409.3,
    5.409.3.1, 5.409.3.2
    and Table 5.409.3||||| |(continued)
    DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    Select One Elective|(continued)
    DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    Select One Elective|Tier 1
    Prerequisite|Enhanced construction waste reduction (65%—Tier 1
    with verification)|A5.408.3.1,
    A5.408.3.1.2||||| |(continued)
    DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    Select One Elective|(continued)
    DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    Select One Elective|Mandatory|Recycling by occupants (with exception)|5.410.1||||| |(continued)
    DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    Select One Elective|(continued)
    DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    Select One Elective|Mandatory|Recycling by occupants: additions (with exception)|5.410.1.1||||| |(continued)
    DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    Select One Elective|(continued)
    DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    Select One Elective|Mandatory|Recycling by occupants: sample ordinance
    |5.410.1.2||||| |(continued)
    DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    Select One Elective|(continued)
    DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    Select One Elective|Mandatory|Commissioning new buildings (³ 10,000 sf) [N]|5.410.2||||| |(continued)
    **DIVISION 5.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most important mandatory fixture limits I should know?

Key mandatory limits include water closets at a maximum of 1.28 gpf (§5.303.3.1), wall‑mounted urinals at 0.125 gpf (§5.303.3.2.1) and single showerheads limited to 1.8 gpm at 80 psi (§5.303.3.3.1) — see the plumbing fixture tables and section text in 5.303 for full details .

Do the rules in Division 5.3 apply to landscape irrigation?

Yes — outdoor potable water use and landscape irrigation requirements are addressed in §5.304. Project compliance may require irrigation design controls, separate outdoor metering, or use of alternate water sources per the section language .

Are there voluntary or elective water‑saving options?

Yes. Appendix A5 lists voluntary/elective measures and tiered options (including Tier 1 water‑reduction pathways such as A5.303.2.3.1) and elective nonpotable or dual‑plumbing strategies for additional water savings and credits .

More in California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)

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