CALGreen · California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)
Service water heating provisions for restaurants
If you're building a new restaurant 8,000 sq ft or larger and your water heater(s) are rated 75,000 Btu/h or more, CALGreen’s Appendix A5 generally requires installing a solar water‑heating system sized to provide at least 15% of the hot‑water energy—unless you use a natural gas heater at 95%+ efficiency or most of the roof fails the solar access test. Check whether your jurisdiction has adopted Appendix A5 before planning.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — 2-4 sentences
The code requires that newly constructed restaurants of 8,000 square feet or greater with service water heaters rated 75,000 Btu/h or greater must install a solar water‑heating system with a minimum solar savings fraction of 0.15, per § A5.203.1.1.2.
There are two explicit exceptions: (1) if the building uses a natural gas service water heater with at least 95‑percent thermal efficiency, or (2) if more than 75 percent of total roof area has annual solar access less than 70 percent.
For newly built restaurants meeting the size and heater‑capacity thresholds, install a solar water heater sized to provide at least 15% of the service‑water heating energy (solar savings fraction = 0.15).
Requirements in detail
Applicability (who/what triggers the rule)
- Applies only to newly constructed restaurants. § A5.203.1.1.2 uses “newly constructed restaurants” as the scope.
- Two numeric thresholds must both be met for the requirement to apply:
- Building area ≥ 8,000 square feet; and
- Service water heater input rating ≥ 75,000 Btu/h.
These are the decision gates in § A5.203.1.1.2.
Required measure
- Install a solar water‑heating system with a minimum solar savings fraction = 0.15 (i.e., solar system must supply at least 15% of the building’s service‑water heating energy), as required by § A5.203.1.1.2.
Exceptions and how to apply them
- Exception 1: If the building has a natural gas service water heater with ≥ 95‑percent thermal efficiency, the solar requirement is waived. § A5.203.1.1.2 lists this exception.
- Exception 2 (solar access exception): If >75% of the total roof area has annual solar access < 70%, the solar requirement is waived. Solar access is defined as the ratio of solar insolation (including shade) to the solar insolation without shade; importantly, shading from obstructions located on the roof or any other part of the building shall not be included when determining annual solar access. These exact limits and the definition are in § A5.203.1.1.2.
Table — decision‑relevant dimensions and values
| Decision dimension | Required/threshold value | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Building type | Newly constructed restaurants | § A5.203.1.1.2 |
| Building area threshold | 8,000 sq ft (applies when ≥) | § A5.203.1.1.2 |
| Service water heater rating threshold | 75,000 Btu/h (applies when ≥) | § A5.203.1.1.2 |
| Required solar savings fraction | 0.15 (15%) minimum | § A5.203.1.1.2 |
| Efficiency exception | Natural gas service water heater with ≥ 95% thermal efficiency | § A5.203.1.1.2 |
| Solar access exception | If >75% of roof area has annual solar access < 70% | § A5.203.1.1.2 |
| Definition note | Solar access = ratio of insolation (including shade) to insolation without shade; shading from rooftop obstructions or other building parts shall not be included in the determination | § A5.203.1.1.2 |
Compliance & applicability note
- These provisions appear in Appendix A5 (nonresidential voluntary measures); Appendix A5 measures are not mandatory statewide unless adopted by the local jurisdiction per the appendix scope, so check local adoption. See § A5.601.1 for Appendix A5 scope.
Exceptions & special cases
- New restaurants that otherwise trigger the rule but specify a 95%‑efficient natural gas water heater may claim the first exception and omit the solar system. § A5.203.1.1.2.
- If roof geometry or site shading means the majority of the roof cannot practically receive sunlight (the solar access test described above), the second exception applies only when more than 75% of total roof area has annual solar access less than 70%. The definition and exclusion of rooftop obstructions from the solar access calculation are in § A5.203.1.1.2.
- Because Appendix A5 is generally voluntary, a project subject to local adoption may or may not be required to follow this; confirm with the enforcing jurisdiction (see § A5.601.1).
Common mistakes
- Misreading scope: treating non‑new or tenant improvements as automatically covered. The text specifically says newly constructed restaurants; do not assume alterations/retrofits are covered by this section unless local adoption or other sections apply. § A5.203.1.1.2 and Appendix A5 scope apply.
- Incorrect area threshold: forgetting the 8,000 sq ft cut‑off (some reviewers apply solar requirement to smaller restaurants in error). § A5.203.1.1.2.
- Confusing heater rating: the trigger is the service water heater input rating (Btu/h), not storage tank volume or number of fixtures. Use the equipment input rating to check the 75,000 Btu/h threshold. § A5.203.1.1.2.
- Solar access calculation errors: the code explicitly states shading from obstructions located on the roof or any other part of the building shall not be included in the determination of annual solar access — do not include rooftop equipment or building self‑shading when applying the exception. § A5.203.1.1.2.
- Assuming statewide mandate: many jurisdictions adopt Appendix A5 measures differently. Always confirm local adoption (Appendix A5 is voluntary unless adopted). § A5.601.1.
Worked example — concrete scenario
Scenario: A developer plans a new restaurant, single building, gross roof area 12,000 sq ft. The restaurant will be 9,500 sq ft and installs two service water heaters each rated 60,000 Btu/h (total input 120,000 Btu/h).
- Applicability check:
- Building area = 9,500 sq ft → meets ≥ 8,000 sq ft threshold. § A5.203.1.1.2.
- Service water heater input rating: Code reads as “service water heaters rated 75,000 Btu/h or greater.” Interpretation: if any installed service water heater unit is rated ≥75,000 Btu/h, or if the combined installed equipment rating meets the threshold depending on authority having jurisdiction. Because each unit is 60,000 Btu/h (below 75,000 Btu/h), confirm with the AHJ whether combined input triggers the threshold; the plain text threshold is 75,000 Btu/h for the equipment rating in § A5.203.1.1.2.
- Exception checks:
- If the developer instead specified a natural gas water heater with ≥ 95% thermal efficiency, the solar requirement would be exempt per Exception 1. § A5.203.1.1.2.
- If >75% of the roof (i.e., >9,000 sq ft of the 12,000 sq ft roof) has annual solar access < 70%, Exception 2 could be claimed. The project must measure annual solar access (ratio of actual insolation to unobstructed insolation) excluding shading from rooftop obstructions or building parts, per § A5.203.1.1.2. Example: if 10,000 sq ft of roof has solar access 60% (which is <70%), then 83% (>75%) of roof area is below 70% and the exception applies.
- Result (typical outcome): If AHJ treats the two 60,000 Btu/h units as not individually meeting the 75,000 Btu/h trigger, the solar requirement may not apply. If AHJ views total installed input as the basis and it equals or exceeds 75,000 Btu/h, install a solar water heater meeting 0.15 solar savings fraction, per § A5.203.1.1.2. Confirm interpretation with the enforcing agency.
Related provisions
- § A5.601.1 — Scope for Appendix A5 (voluntary measures; local adoption required) — important for whether this requirement is mandatory locally.
- § A5.601.2.4 — Voluntary measures for Tier 1 (lists service water heating in restaurants as one option).
- § A5.601.3 — Tier 2 prerequisites and voluntary measures (references A5.203.1.1.2 as an elective in the Tier structure).
- § A5.106.11 — Cool roof / solar reflectance (often coordinated with rooftop solar/thermal installations; see Appendix tables).
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CALGreen § 203.1.1.1.2 High relevance — show source text
A5.203.1.1.1.2 Outdoor pole-mounted and arm-mounted luminaires shall be installed with tilting not greater than 10 degrees, or the outdoor luminaires shall be installed with arm-mount or tenon-mount capable of tilting less than or within 10 degrees.
Exceptions to Section A5.203.1.1.1.2:
- Lighting for building facades, public monuments, public art, statues and vertical surfaces of bridges.
- Lighting not permitted by a health or life safety statute, ordinance or regulation to be a cutoff luminaire.
- Temporary outdoor lighting.
- Lighting required and regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration or the Coast Guard.
- Lighting for public streets, roadways, highways, and traffic signage lighting, including lighting for driveway entrances occurring in the public right-of-way. Luminaires that illuminate the public right of way including publicly-maintained or utility-maintained sidewalks and bikeways.
- Lighting for sports and athletic fields and children’s playgrounds.
2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE APPENDIX A5-13
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
APPENDIX A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES
- Lighting for industrial sites, including but not limited to, rail yards, maritime shipyards and docks, piers and marinas, chemical and petroleum processing plants, and aviation facilities.
- Lighting of tunnels, bridges, stairs, wheelchair elevator lifts for American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, and ramps that are not parking garage ramps.
- In theme parks: outdoor lighting only for themes and special effects.
- Lighting for outdoor theatrical and other outdoor live performances, provided that these lighting systems are additions to area lighting systems and are controlled by a multi-scene or theatrical cross-fade control station accessible only to authorized operators.
- Outdoor lighting systems for qualified historical buildings, as defined in the California Historical Building Code (Title 24, Part 8), if they consist solely of historical lighting components or replicas of historical lighting components. If lighting systems for qualified historical buildings contain some historical lighting components or replicas of historical components combined with other lighting components, only those historical or historical replica components are exempt. All other outdoor lighting systems for qualified historical buildings shall not be exempted.
A5.203.1.1.2 Service water heating in restaurants. Newly constructed restaurants 8,000 square feet or greater and with service water heaters rated 75,000 Btu/h or greater shall install a solar water-heating system with a minimum solar savings fraction of 0.15.
Exceptions:
- Buildings with a natural gas service water heater with a minimum of 95-percent thermal efficiency.
- Buildings where greater than 75 percent of the total roof area has annual solar access that is less than 70 percent. Solar access is the ratio of solar insolation, including shade, to the solar insolation without shade. Shading from obstructions located on the roof or any other part of the building shall not be included in the determination of annual solar access.
A5.203.1.1.3 Warehouse dock seal doors. Exterior loading dock doors that are adjacent to conditioned or indirectly conditioned spaces shall have dock seals or dock shelters installed at the time of permitting. This requirement shall apply to newly constructed buildings and to loading dock doors added to existing buildings.
CALGreen § 203.1.1.2 High relevance — show source text
- In theme parks: outdoor lighting only for themes and special effects.
- Lighting for outdoor theatrical and other outdoor live performances, provided that these lighting systems are additions to area lighting systems and are controlled by a multi-scene or theatrical cross-fade control station accessible only to authorized operators.
- Outdoor lighting systems for qualified historical buildings, as defined in the California Historical Building Code (Title 24, Part 8), if they consist solely of historical lighting components or replicas of historical lighting components. If lighting systems for qualified historical buildings contain some historical lighting components or replicas of historical components combined with other lighting components, only those historical or historical replica components are exempt. All other outdoor lighting systems for qualified historical buildings shall not be exempted.
A5.203.1.1.2 Service water heating in restaurants. Newly constructed restaurants 8,000 square feet or greater and with service water heaters rated 75,000 Btu/h or greater shall install a solar water-heating system with a minimum solar savings fraction of 0.15.
Exceptions:
- Buildings with a natural gas service water heater with a minimum of 95-percent thermal efficiency.
- Buildings where greater than 75 percent of the total roof area has annual solar access that is less than 70 percent. Solar access is the ratio of solar insolation, including shade, to the solar insolation without shade. Shading from obstructions located on the roof or any other part of the building shall not be included in the determination of annual solar access.
A5.203.1.1.3 Warehouse dock seal doors. Exterior loading dock doors that are adjacent to conditioned or indirectly conditioned spaces shall have dock seals or dock shelters installed at the time of permitting. This requirement shall apply to newly constructed buildings and to loading dock doors added to existing buildings.
A5.203.1.1.4 Daylight Design Power Adjustments Factors (PAFs). Daylighting devices shall be installed as specified in Title 24, Part 6, Section 140.3(d).
A5.203.1.1.5 Exhaust air heat recovery. Heat recovery requirements based on ASHRAE 90.1, Section 6.5.6.1 are adapted and modified for California climate zones as described below.
- Systems with minimum design outdoor air fraction of 80 percent or greater and supply air flow of 200 cfm or greater in climate zones 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 shall have a heat recovery system.
- Heat recovery systems required by this section shall result in a net sensible energy recovery ratio of at least 60 percent for both heating and cooling as tested using AHRI 1060-2014 or 1061-2014 and certified by AHRI. A 60 percent sensible energy recovery ratio shall mean a change in the dry-bulb of the outdoor air supply equal to 60 percent of the difference between the outdoor air and exhaust air dry-bulb at design conditions. Provisions shall be made to bypass or control the energy recovery system to permit air economizer operation as required by Title 24, Part 6, Section 140.4(e), Economizers.
Exceptions:
CALGreen § 601.3.4 High relevance — show source text
A5.601.3.4 Voluntary measures for Tier 2. In addition to the provisions of Sections A5.601.3.1 and A5.601.3.3 above, compliance with the following voluntary measures from Appendix A5 is required for Tier 2:
- From Division A5.1, a. Comply with the designated parking requirements for fuel efficient vehicles for a minimum of 50 percent of parking capacity per Section A5.106.5.1. b. Electric vehicle (EV) charging [N] and Table A5.106.5.3.2 with footnotes. c. Comply with thermal emittance, solar reflectance or SRI values for cool roofs in Section A5.106.11.2 and Table A5.106.11.2.3. [1]
d. Comply with three elective measures selected from this division.
APPENDIX A5-42 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
APPENDIX A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES
From Division A5.2 comply with TWO of the following:
Outdoor lighting as described in A5.203.1.1.1.
Service water heating in restaurants as described in A5.203.1.1.2.
Warehouse Dock Seal Doors A5.203.1.1.3.
Daylight Design Power Adjustments 5.203.1.1.4.
Exhaust Air Heat Recovery A5.203.1.1.5.
From Division A5.3,
a. Comply with the 20-percent reduction for indoor potable water use in Section A5.303.2.3.2. b. Comply with three elective measures selected from this division.
- From Division A5.4,
a. Comply with recycled content of 15 percent of materials based on estimated total cost, or use two products from Table A5.405.4 for at least 75 percent by cost in Section A5.405.4.1. b. Comply with the 80-percent reduction in construction and demolition waste in Section A5.408.3.1. c. Comply with three elective measures selected from this division.
- From Division A5.5,
a. Comply with resilient flooring systems for 100 percent of resilient flooring in Section A5.504.4.7.1. Exception: Allowance may be permitted in Tier 2 for up to 5-percent specialty purpose flooring. b. Comply with thermal insulation meeting 2009 CHPS low-emitting materials list and no added formaldehyde in Section A5.504.4.8.1.
c. Comply with three elective measures selected from this division. 6. Comply with three additional elective measures selected from any division.
1 Cool roof is required for compliance with Tiers 1 and 2 and may be used to meet energy standards in Part 6, exceed energy standards and to mitigate heat island effect.
A5.601.4 Compliance verification. Compliance with Section A5.601.2 or A5.601.3 shall be as required in Chapter 7 of this code. Compliance documentation shall be made part of the project record as required in Section 5.410.2 or 5.410.3.
2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE APPENDIX A5-43
CALGreen § 90.1 High relevance — show source text
[ASHRAE 90.1:7.5.2] L 503.4.3 Large Service Water-Heating Systems. New buildings with service water-heating systems with a total installed input capacity of 1 000 000 Btu/h (293 kW) or greater, provided by high-capacity gas-fired service water-heating equipment shall meet either or both of the following requirements:
(1) Where a single unit of high-capacity gas-fired service water-heating equipment is installed, it shall have a minimum thermal efficiency ( Et ) of 92 percent. (2) Multiple units of high-capacity gas-fired service water-heating equipment connected to the same service water-heating system shall have a total input-capacity-weighted average thermal efficiency ( Et ) of at least 90 percent, and a minimum of 30 percent of the input of the high-capacity gas-fired service water-heating equipment in the service water heating-system shall have a thermal efficiency ( Et ) of at least 92 percent.
High-capacity gas-fired service water-heating equipment comprises gas-fired instantaneous water heaters with a rated input both greater than 200 000 Btu/h (58.6 kW) and not less than 4000 British thermal units per hour per gallon [Btu/(h•gal)] (0.3097 kW/L) of stored water, and gas-fired storage water heaters with a rated input both greater than 105 000 Btu/h (30.8 kW) and less than 4000 British thermal units per hour per gallon [Btu/(h•gal)] (0.3097 kW/L) of stored water.
Exceptions:
(1) Water heaters installed in individual dwelling units.
(2) Individual gas water heaters with input capacity not greater than 100 000 Btu/h (29.3 kW). [ASHRAE 90.1:7.5.3] L 503.4.4 Heat Recovery for Service Water Heating. Condenser heat recovery systems shall be installed for heating or preheating of service hot water provided all of the following are true:
(1) The facility operates 24 hours a day.
(2) The total installed heat rejection capacity of the water-cooled systems exceeds 6 000 000 Btu/h (1758 kW) of heat rejection.
(3) The design service water-heating load exceeds 1 000 000 Btu/h (293 kW). [ASHRAE 90.1:6.5.6.2.1]
512 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE
), Copyright © 2025 IAPMO, and may not be used for any other purpose or distributed to any other persons or parties.
APPENDIX L
L 503.4.5 Capacity. The required heat recovery system shall have the capacity to provide the smaller of:
(1) Sixty percent of the peak heat-rejection load at design conditions or
(2) Preheat of the peak service hot-water draw to 85°F (29°C).
Exceptions:
(1) Facilities that employ condenser heat recovery for space heating with a heat recovery design exceeding 30 percent of the peak water-cooled condenser load at design conditions.
CALGreen § 405.4 High relevance — show source text
- From Division A5.4,
a. Comply with recycled content of 10 percent of materials based on estimated total cost, or use two products from Table A5.405.4 for at least 75 percent by cost in Section A5.405.4. b. Comply with the 65-percent reduction in construction and demolition waste in Section A5.408.3.1. c. Comply with one elective measure selected from this division.
- From Division A5.5,
a. Comply with resilient flooring systems for 90 percent of resilient flooring in Section A5.504.4.7. b. Comply with thermal insulation meeting 2009 CHPS low-emitting materials list in Section A5.504.4.8. c. Comply with one elective measure selected from this division. 6. Comply with one additional elective measure selected from any division.
1 Cool roof is required for compliance with Tiers 1 and 2 and may be used to meet energy standards in Part 6, exceed energy standards and to mitigate heat island effect.
A5.601.3 CALGreen Tier 2.
A5.601.3.1 Prerequisites. To achieve CALGreen tier status, a project must meet all of the mandatory measures in Chapter 5 and, in addition, meet the provisions of this section.
A5.601.3.2 Energy performance. For the purposes of mandatory energy efficiency standards in this code, the California Energy Commission will continue to adopt mandatory standards.
A5.601.3.3 Tier 2. Comply with the energy efficiency requirements in Section A5.203.1.1 and Section A5.203.1.2.2.
A5.601.3.4 Voluntary measures for Tier 2. In addition to the provisions of Sections A5.601.3.1 and A5.601.3.3 above, compliance with the following voluntary measures from Appendix A5 is required for Tier 2:
- From Division A5.1, a. Comply with the designated parking requirements for fuel efficient vehicles for a minimum of 50 percent of parking capacity per Section A5.106.5.1. b. Electric vehicle (EV) charging [N] and Table A5.106.5.3.2 with footnotes. c. Comply with thermal emittance, solar reflectance or SRI values for cool roofs in Section A5.106.11.2 and Table A5.106.11.2.3. [1]
d. Comply with three elective measures selected from this division.
APPENDIX A5-42 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
APPENDIX A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES
From Division A5.2 comply with TWO of the following:
Outdoor lighting as described in A5.203.1.1.1.
Service water heating in restaurants as described in A5.203.1.1.2.
Warehouse Dock Seal Doors A5.203.1.1.3.
Daylight Design Power Adjustments 5.203.1.1.4.
Exhaust Air Heat Recovery A5.203.1.1.5.
From Division A5.3,
CALGreen § 203.1.1.1 High relevance — show source text
2**
Energy
Efficiency
(continued)|Tier 2
Prerequisite|Energy Performance—outdoor lighting power 90% of Part 6|A5.203.1.1.1||||| |DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency
(continued)|DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency
(continued)|Tier 2
Prerequisite|If applicable, service for water heating in restaurants of 8,000
sf or greater|A5.203.1.1.2|||||APPENDIX A5-56 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
APPENDIX A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES
CHAPTER 5
DIVISIONSCol2 Col3 SECTION TITLE CODE
SECTIONY N O PLAN SHEET,
SPEC OR
ATTACH(continued)
DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency(continued)
DIVISION 5.2
Energy
EfficiencyTier 2
PrerequisiteEnergy budget 90% or 85% of Part 6 calculated value of
allowanceA5.203.1.2.2 (continued)
DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency(continued)
DIVISION 5.2
Energy
EfficiencyElective On-site renewable energy (with documentation) A5.211.1,
A5.211.1.1(continued)
DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency(continued)
DIVISION 5.2
Energy
EfficiencyElective Green power A5.211.3 (continued)
DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency(continued)
DIVISION 5.2
Energy
EfficiencyElective Elevators with car lights and fan A5.212.1.1,
A5.212.1.1.1(continued)
DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency(continued)
DIVISION 5.2
Energy
EfficiencyElective Escalators A5.212.1.2 (continued)
DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency(continued)
DIVISION 5.2
Energy
EfficiencyElective Controls that reduce energy _A5.212.1. CALGreen § 203.1.1.1 High relevance — show source text
2**
Energy
Efficiency|Tier 1
Prerequisite|Energy performance—outdoor lighting power 90% of Part 6|A5.203.1.1.1||||| |DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency|DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency|Tier 1
Prerequisite|If applicable, service for water heating in restaurants of 8,000
sf or greater|A5.203.1.1.2||||| |DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency|DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency|Tier 1
Prerequisite|Energy budget 95% or 90% of Part 6 calculated value of
allowance|A5.203.1.2.1||||| |DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency|DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency|Elective|On-site renewable energy (with documentation)|A5.211.1, A5.211.1.1||||| |DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency|DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency|Elective|Green power|A5.211.3||||| |DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency|DIVISION 5.2
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 A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES
CHAPTER 5
DIVISIONSCol2 Col3 SECTION TITLE CODE
SECTIONY N O PLAN SHEET,
SPEC OR
ATTACH**DIVISION 5. CALGreen § 203.1.1.2. High relevance — show source text
5|3 additional Electives from Division A5.5| |Additional Measures||1 additional Elective from any division|3 additional Electives from any division| |Approximate Total
Measures||15|25| |1.
Exception: Allowance may be permitted in Tier 2 for up to 5-percent specialty purpose flooring.
2.
Solar water-heating system requirement for newly constructed restaurants as per A5.203.1.1.2.
Exceptions:
a. Buildings with a natural gas service water heater with a minimum of 95-percent thermal efficiency.
b. Buildings where greater than 75 percent of the total roof area has annual solar access that is less than 70 percent. Solar access is the ratio of solar insolation including shade to the
solar insolation without shade. Shading from obstructions located on the roof or any other part of the building shall not be included in the determination of annual solar access.
3.
Life cycle assessment compliant with Section A5.409.4 in this code may be substituted for prescriptive measures from Division A5.4.|1.
Exception: Allowance may be permitted in Tier 2 for up to 5-percent specialty purpose flooring.
2.
Solar water-heating system requirement for newly constructed restaurants as per A5.203.1.1.2.
Exceptions:
a. Buildings with a natural gas service water heater with a minimum of 95-percent thermal efficiency.
b. Buildings where greater than 75 percent of the total roof area has annual solar access that is less than 70 percent. Solar access is the ratio of solar insolation including shade to the
solar insolation without shade. Shading from obstructions located on the roof or any other part of the building shall not be included in the determination of annual solar access.
3.
Life cycle assessment compliant with Section A5.409.4 in this code may be substituted for prescriptive measures from Division A5.4.|1.
Exception: Allowance may be permitted in Tier 2 for up to 5-percent specialty purpose flooring.
2.
Solar water-heating system requirement for newly constructed restaurants as per A5.203.1.1.2.
Exceptions:
a. Buildings with a natural gas service water heater with a minimum of 95-percent thermal efficiency.
b. Buildings where greater than 75 percent of the total roof area has annual solar access that is less than 70 percent. Solar access is the ratio of solar insolation including shade to the
solar insolation without shade. Shading from obstructions located on the roof or any other part of the building shall not be included in the determination of annual solar access.
3.
Life cycle assessment compliant with Section A5.409.4 in this code may be substituted for prescriptive measures from Division A5.4.|1.
Exception: Allowance may be permitted in Tier 2 for up to 5-percent specialty purpose flooring.
2.
Solar water-heating system requirement for newly constructed restaurants as per A5.203.1.1.2.
Exceptions:
a. Buildings with a natural gas service water heater with a minimum of 95-percent thermal efficiency.
b. Buildings where greater than 75 percent of the total roof area has annual solar access that is less than 70 percent. Solar access is the ratio of solar insolation including shade to the
solar insolation without shade.CALGreen § 409.1 High relevance — show source text
4**
Material Conservation
and Resource Efficiency3|Cradle-to-Grave
Whole Building Life Cycle
Assessment|See Section A5.409.1, Section A5.409.2
and Section A5.409.2.3 requirements|See Section A5.409.1, Section A5.409.2
and Section A5.409.2.3 requirements| |DIVISION 5.4
Material Conservation
and Resource Efficiency3|Product GWP compliance –
prescriptive path|See Section A5.409.1, Section A5.409.2
and Section A5.409.2.3 requirements|See Section A5.409.1, Section A5.409.2
and Section A5.409.2.3 requirements| |DIVISION 5.4
Material Conservation
and Resource Efficiency3||1 additional Elective
from Division A5.4|3 additional Electives
from Division A5.4| |DIVISION 5.5
Environmental Quality|Low-VOC Resilient Flooring|90% of flooring meets VOC limits|100% of flooring meets VOC limits1| |DIVISION 5.5
Environmental Quality|Low-VOC Thermal Insulation|Comply with VOC limits|Install no-added formaldehyde
insulation and comply with VOC limits| |DIVISION 5.5
Environmental Quality||1 additional Elective from Division A5.5|3 additional Electives from Division A5.5| |Additional Measures||1 additional Elective from any division|3 additional Electives from any division| |Approximate Total
Measures||15|25| |1.
Exception: Allowance may be permitted in Tier 2 for up to 5-percent specialty purpose flooring.
2.
Solar water-heating system requirement for newly constructed restaurants as per A5.203.1.1.2.
Exceptions:
a. Buildings with a natural gas service water heater with a minimum of 95-percent thermal efficiency.
b. Buildings where greater than 75 percent of the total roof area has annual solar access that is less than 70 percent. Solar access is the ratio of solar insolation including shade to the
solar insolation without shade. Shading from obstructions located on the roof or any other part of the building shall not be included in the determination of annual solar access.
3.
Life cycle assessment compliant with Section A5.409.4 in this code may be substituted for prescriptive measures from Division A5.4.|1.
Exception: Allowance may be permitted in Tier 2 for up to 5-percent specialty purpose flooring.
2.
Solar water-heating system requirement for newly constructed restaurants as per A5.203.1.1.2.
Exceptions:
a. Buildings with a natural gas service water heater with a minimum of 95-percent thermal efficiency.
b. Buildings where greater than 75 percent of the total roof area has annual solar access that is less than 70 percent. Solar access is the ratio of solar insolation including shade to the
solar insolation without shade.CALGreen § 106.11 High relevance — show source text
Cool roof with Exceptions,_
Solar reflectance, Thermal emittance, Solar reflectance
index alternative, Verification of compliance|A5.106.11,
A5.106.11.2,
A5.106.11.2.1,
A5.106.11.2.2,
A5.106.11.2.3,
A5.106.11.2.4||||| |(continued)
DIVISION 5.1
Planning and Design
Select Three Electives|Select Three Electives|Elective|Reduction of heat island effect, Shade trees|A5.106.11,
A5.106.11.3||||| |(continued)
DIVISION 5.1
Planning and Design
Select Three Electives|Select Three Electives|Elective|Bird-friendly building design, Required elevation treatment,
Special conditions, Nighttime conditions with Exception,
Systems or operation and maintenance manual|A5.107, A5.107.1,
A5.107.2, A5.107.3,
A5.107.3.1||||| |DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency
(continued)|DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency
(continued)|Mandatory|Meet the minimum energy efficiency standard|5.201.1||||| |DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency
(continued)|DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency
(continued)|Tier 2
Prerequisite|Energy Performance—outdoor lighting power 90% of Part 6|A5.203.1.1.1||||| |DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency
(continued)|DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency
(continued)|Tier 2
Prerequisite|If applicable, service for water heating in restaurants of 8,000
sf or greater|A5.203.1.1.2|||||APPENDIX A5-56 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
APPENDIX A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES
CHAPTER 5
DIVISIONSCol2 Col3 SECTION TITLE CODE
SECTIONY N O PLAN SHEET,
SPEC OR
ATTACH(continued)
DIVISION 5.2
Energy
Efficiency(continued)
DIVISION 5.2
Energy
EfficiencyTier 2
PrerequisiteEnergy budget 90% or 85% of Part 6 calculated value of
allowance_A5.203.1.2. CALGreen § 601.2.4 High relevance — show source text
A5.601.2.4 Voluntary measures for Tier 1. In addition to the provisions of Sections A5.601.2.1 and A5.601.2.3 above, compliance with the following voluntary measures from Appendix A5 is required for Tier 1:
- From Division A5.1, a. Comply with the designated parking requirements for high-efficiency vehicles for a minimum of 35 percent of parking capacity per Section A5.106.5.1. b. Electric vehicle (EV) charging [N] and Table A5.106.5.3.1 w/ footnotes. c. Comply with thermal emittance, solar reflectance or SRI values for cool roofs in Section A5.106.11.2 and Table A5.106.11.2.2. [1]
d. Comply with one elective measure selected from this division. 2. From Division A5.2 comply with ONE of the following:
Outdoor lighting as described in A5.203.1.1.1.
Service water heating in restaurants as described in A5.203.1.1.2.
Warehouse Dock Seal Doors A5.203.1.1.3.
Daylight Design Power Adjustments 5.203.1.1.4.
Exhaust Air Heat Recovery A5.203.1.1.5.
From Division A5.3,
a. Comply with the 12-percent reduction for indoor potable water use in Section A5.303.2.3.1. b. Comply with one elective measure selected from this division.
- From Division A5.4,
a. Comply with recycled content of 10 percent of materials based on estimated total cost, or use two products from Table A5.405.4 for at least 75 percent by cost in Section A5.405.4. b. Comply with the 65-percent reduction in construction and demolition waste in Section A5.408.3.1. c. Comply with one elective measure selected from this division.
- From Division A5.5,
a. Comply with resilient flooring systems for 90 percent of resilient flooring in Section A5.504.4.7. b. Comply with thermal insulation meeting 2009 CHPS low-emitting materials list in Section A5.504.4.8. c. Comply with one elective measure selected from this division. 6. Comply with one additional elective measure selected from any division.
1 Cool roof is required for compliance with Tiers 1 and 2 and may be used to meet energy standards in Part 6, exceed energy standards and to mitigate heat island effect.
A5.601.3 CALGreen Tier 2.
A5.601.3.1 Prerequisites. To achieve CALGreen tier status, a project must meet all of the mandatory measures in Chapter 5 and, in addition, meet the provisions of this section.
A5.601.3.2 Energy performance. For the purposes of mandatory energy efficiency standards in this code, the California Energy Commission will continue to adopt mandatory standards.
A5.601.3.3 Tier 2. Comply with the energy efficiency requirements in Section A5.203.1.1 and Section A5.203.1.2.2.
CALGreen § 13256-1 Medium relevance — show source text
2 COP|ISO-13256-1| |Water source water-to-water
(heating mode)|< 135,000 Btu/h
(cooling capacity)|68ºF entering water|3.7 COP|ISO-13256-2| |Groundwater source water-to-
water
(heating mode)|< 135,000 Btu/h
(cooling capacity)|50ºF entering water|3.1 COP|ISO-13256-2| |Ground source brine-to-water
(heating mode)|< 135,000 Btu/h
(cooling capacity)|32ºF entering water|2.5 COP|ISO-13256-2| |a. Deduct 0.2 from the required EERs and IEERs for units with a heating section other than electric resistance heat.
b. Applicable test procedure and reference year are provided under the definitions.|a. Deduct 0.2 from the required EERs and IEERs for units with a heating section other than electric resistance heat.
b. Applicable test procedure and reference year are provided under the definitions.|a. Deduct 0.2 from the required EERs and IEERs for units with a heating section other than electric resistance heat.
b. Applicable test procedure and reference year are provided under the definitions.|a. Deduct 0.2 from the required EERs and IEERs for units with a heating section other than electric resistance heat.
b. Applicable test procedure and reference year are provided under the definitions.|a. Deduct 0.2 from the required EERs and IEERs for units with a heating section other than electric resistance heat.
b. Applicable test procedure and reference year are provided under the definitions.|TABLE 110.2-C—AIR-COOLED GAS-ENGINE HEAT PUMPS Col2 Col3 Col4 Col5 EQUIPMENT TYPE SIZE CATEGORY SUBCATEGORY OR
RATING CONDITIONEFFICIENCY TEST PROCEDUREa Air-cooled gas-engine heat pump
(cooling mode)All capacities 95°F db outdoor air 0.60 COP ANSI Z21.40.4A Air-cooled gas-engine heat pump
(heating mode)All capacities 47°F db/43°F wb outdoor air 0.72 COP ANSI Z21.40.4A a. Applicable test procedure and reference year are provided under the definitions. a. Applicable test procedure and reference year are provided under the definitions. a. Applicable test procedure and reference year are provided under the definitions. a. Applicable test procedure and reference year are provided under the definitions. a. Applicable test procedure and reference year are provided under the definitions. 2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE 43
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
TABLE 110.2-D—WATER CHILLING PACKAGES—MINIMUM EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTSa, b Col2 Col3 Col4 Col5 EQUIPMENT TYPE SIZE CATEGORY PATH A
**EFFICIENCYa,
Frequently asked questions
Do these rules apply to restaurants smaller than 8,000 sq ft?
No. § A5.203.1.1.2 applies only to newly constructed restaurants 8,000 square feet or greater. If the restaurant is smaller, this section does not trigger.
If I install multiple smaller heaters, do I still have to install solar?
The code text triggers on service water heaters “rated 75,000 Btu/h or greater.” Interpretations vary by AHJ about whether combined input counts; the plain reading targets individual heater ratings. Confirm with your enforcing agency. § A5.203.1.1.2.
How is “solar access” measured for the exception?
Solar access is the ratio of solar insolation (including shade) to the solar insolation without shade. The code explicitly says do not include shading from obstructions located on the roof or any other part of the building when determining annual solar access. See § A5.203.1.1.2.
Can I avoid solar by specifying a very efficient gas heater?
Yes—if you provide a natural gas service water heater with at least 95% thermal efficiency, the solar requirement is excepted under § A5.203.1.1.2.
Is Appendix A5 mandatory?
Not automatically. Appendix A5 contains voluntary measures; they are mandatory only if adopted by the local jurisdiction (see § A5.601.1). Check local code adoption.
More in California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)
- Administration (Chapter 1)
- Nonresidential Voluntary Measures (Appendix A5 — divisions A5.1–A5.6, electives & verification)
- Residential Mandatory Measures — Planning & Design; Energy; Water; Materials; Environmental Quality (Chapter 4)
- Definitions (Chapter 2)
- Voluntary Standards for Health Facilities (Appendix A6 / OSHPD guidance)
- Green Building – scope, mixed occupancies, phased projects (Chapter 3)
- Residential Voluntary Measures (Appendix A4 — divisions A4.1–A4.6, tiers & model ordinance)
- Nonresidential Mandatory Measures — Planning & Design; Energy; Water; Materials; Environmental Quality (Chapter 5)
- Compliance verification, construction documents & checklists (Section 102, Chapter 7, Appendix checklists)
- Referenced Organizations and Standards (Chapter 6)
- Voluntary Tiers and CALGreen Tier 1 / Tier 2 (performance tiers, thresholds)
- Installer and Special Inspector Qualifications (Chapter 7)
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