Title 24 refers to the California Building Standards Code, a comprehensive set of regulations in the California Code of Regulations that governs building design, construction, and maintenance to ensure safety, energy efficiency, and sustainability.
Enacted in 1978 in response to the 1970s energy crisis, it unifies standards for structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and energy systems across residential and nonresidential buildings. The most referenced section is Part 6 (California Energy Code), which focuses on energy efficiency to reduce consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and costs—saving Californians billions in electricity bills since its inception. California is divided into 16 climate zones, with standards tailored to local conditions.
Updates occur every three years; the 2022 standards (effective January 1, 2023) emphasize electrification, heat pumps, solar PV, battery storage, and improved ventilation.