CALGreen · California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)

Water Efficiency & Conservation

CALGreen sets mandatory fixture, flow and metering requirements and offers voluntary Appendix measures and tiers to achieve deeper water conservation.

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

CALGreen's Water Efficiency & Conservation provisions govern indoor and outdoor potable water use, plumbing fixtures and fittings, metering, and voluntary water‑reduction measures. Mandatory requirements appear in Division 5.3 for nonresidential projects (Chapter 5) and Division 4.3 for residential projects (Chapter 4), with voluntary and tiered options in Appendix A5 (nonresidential) and Appendix A4 (residential) for additional water‑savings strategies and credits .

Key mandatory items include required fixture performance and flow limits (for example, water closets at no more than 1.28 gpf, showerheads limited to 1.8 gpm at 80 psi, and low‑flow urinal limits), plus requirements for separate submeters in larger new buildings or for tenant meters in certain cases (§5.303, §5.303.3.1, §5.303.3.3.1, §5.303.1.1–.1.2) . Outdoor potable water use and landscape irrigation limits and related metering appear in §5.304 (with complementary voluntary landscape measures in the appendices) .

CALGreen combines prescriptive fixture standards, plumbing‑system controls, metering and optional nonpotable/dual‑plumbing or rainwater/graywater strategies so jurisdictions and designers can meet baseline mandatory savings and pursue deeper voluntary reductions using the Appendix A tiers and electives (see A4/A5 water efficiency divisions) .

In this section

Code references

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

  • 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 § 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 § 303.1 High relevance — show source text

    2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE APPENDIX A4-11

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

    APPENDIX A4-12 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

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

    A4 RESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

    DIVISION A4.3 – WATER EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION

    SECTION A4.301—GENERAL (RESERVED)

    SECTION A4.302—DEFINITIONS (RESERVED)

    SECTION A4.303—INDOOR WATER USE

    A4.303.1 Kitchen faucets. The maximum flow rate of kitchen faucets shall not exceed 1.5 gallons per minute at 60 psi. Kitchen faucets may temporarily increase the flow above the maximum rate, but not to exceed 2.2 gallons per minute at 60 psi, and must default to a maximum flow rate of 1.5 gallons per minute at 60 psi.

    Note: Where complying faucets are unavailable, aerators or other means may be used to achieve reduction.

    A4.303.2 Alternate water sources for nonpotable applications. Alternate nonpotable water sources are used for indoor potable water reduction. Alternate nonpotable water sources shall be installed in accordance with the California Plumbing Code.

    A4.303.3 Appliances. Install at least one qualified ENERGY STAR dishwasher or clothes washer.

    Note: See Section A5.303.3 for nonresidential dishwashers and clothes washers.

    A4.303.4 Nonwater urinals and waterless toilets. Nonwater urinals or composting toilets are installed.

    Where approved, nonwater urinals with drain cleansing action (formerly hybrid urinals), as defined in Chapter 2, shall be considered nonwater urinals.

    A4.303.5 Hot water recirculation systems. One- and two-family dwellings shall be equipped with a demand hot water recirculation system, as defined in Chapter 2. The demand hot water recirculation system shall be installed in accordance with the California Plumbing Code, California Energy Code and the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

    SECTION A4.304—OUTDOOR WATER USE

    A4.304.1 Rainwater catchment systems. An approved rainwater catchment system is designed and installed to use rainwater generated by at least 65 percent of the available roof area. Rainwater catchment systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with the California Plumbing Code.

    A4.304.2 Potable water elimination. When landscaping is provided and as allowed by local ordinance, a water efficient landscape irrigation design that eliminates the use of potable water beyond the initial requirements for plant installation and establishment shall be provided. Methods used to accomplish the requirements of this section shall comply with the requirements of the California Building Standards Code and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

    1. Use of captured rainwater.
    2. Use of recycled water.
    3. Water treated for irrigation purposes and conveyed by a water district or public entity.
    4. Use of graywater.
    5. Use of drought tolerant plants.

    A4.304.3 Landscape water meters. For new water service connections, landscaped irrigated areas less than 5,000 square feet shall be provided with separate submeters or metering devices for outdoor potable water use.

  • 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 § 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 A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL 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 § 1.8 High relevance — show source text

    3**
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|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
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|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
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Mandatory|Nonresidential lavatory faucets|5.303.3.4.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Mandatory|Kitchen faucets|5.303.3.4.2||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    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.

  • 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 A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL 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 § 212.1.4 High relevance — show source text

    2**
    Energy
    Efficiency|Elective|Controls that reduce energy|A5.212.1.4||||| |(continued)
    DIVISION 5.2
    Energy
    Efficiency|(continued)
    DIVISION 5.2
    Energy
    Efficiency|Elective|Steel framing|A5.213.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|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
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|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
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Tier 2
    Prerequisite|Water reduction Tier 2—20% or 25% savings over the
    “water use baseline” in Table A5.303.2.2|A5.303.2.3.2
    or A5.303.2.3.3||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Mandatory|Water closets shall not exceed 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf)|5.303.3.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Mandatory|Wall-mounted urinals shall not exceed 0.125 gpf|5.303.3.2.1||||| |DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|DIVISION 5.3
    Water
    Efficiency and
    Conservation
    Select Three Electives|Mandatory|Floor-mounted urinals shall not exceed 0.

  • CALGreen § 303.3.4.6 High relevance — show source text

    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|A5.303.3||||| ||Select One Elective|Elective|Nonwater urinals|A5.303.4.1||||| ||Select One Elective|Elective|Dual plumbing|A5.303.5||||| ||Select One Elective|Elective|Outdoor potable water use|A5.304.2||||| ||Select One Elective|Elective|Restoration of areas disturbed by construction|A5.304.6||||| ||Select One Elective|Elective|Previously developed sites (with exception)|A5.304.7||||| ||Select One Elective|Elective|Graywater irrigation system|A5.304.8||||| ||Select One Elective|Elective|Nonpotable water systems|A5.305.1||||| ||Select One Elective|Elective|Irrigation systems|A5.305.2||||| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency
    (continued)|Tier 1
    Prerequisite|Recycled content for 10% of total material cost|A5.405.4,
    A5.405.4.1
    through
    A5.405.4.5||||| |**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.

Frequently asked questions

Which CALGreen sections contain the mandatory water rules?

Mandatory water efficiency measures are located in Division 4.3 for residential mandatory measures and Division 5.3 for nonresidential mandatory measures; Appendix A4 and A5 contain voluntary/tiered measures and electives .

What fixture and flow limits should I expect to see in the code?

Prescriptive mandatory limits include water closets at 1.28 gallons per flush, wall urinals at 0.125 gpf, showerheads (single or combined) limited to a total of 1.8 gpm at 80 psi, and specified limits for lavatory and kitchen faucets and pre‑rinse valves; see Division 5.3 (e.g., §5.303.3.1, §5.303.3.2.1, §5.303.3.3.1) for the specific requirements .

Are separate landscape or tenant water meters required?

Yes — CALGreen includes separate‑metering requirements in Division 5.3 (thresholds for new buildings and tenant meters) and the appendices include guidance for landscape submeters (for example, submetering for certain irrigated areas in Appendix A4) .

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