Navigating California’s Title 24 Energy Standards: Your Guide to Compliant Roof Replacements in LA County
California’s Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards are transforming how homeowners and businesses approach roof replacement projects, and the 2025 Building Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings (Title 24, Part 6 or Energy Code), effective January 1, 2026, contain requirements for the thermal emittance, three-year aged reflectance, and Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of roofing materials used in new construction and re-roofing projects. For LA County property owners planning roof replacements, understanding these evolving requirements is crucial for compliance, energy savings, and long-term property value.
Understanding Title 24’s Impact on LA County Roofing
Title 24 is California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards, updated every three years to ensure new buildings and renovations meet minimum energy efficiency requirements. These standards reduce energy consumption, improve indoor comfort, and help California achieve its climate goals. The standards have particular significance for LA County residents, as for the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, asphalt shingles must meet or exceed a 3-year aged SR value of 0.25 and an initial thermal emittance value of 0.85. As an alternative, an SRI value of 20 for all new construction and reroof applications in residential and commercial buildings is required. This is a mandatory requirement per the Green Building Standards Code of Los Angeles County.
The requirements vary significantly based on location within California’s climate zones. For zones 1-9 and 16, there are no cool roof requirements. In climate zones 10-15, there are several options for compliance with the energy efficiency requirements. Most of LA County falls within these regulated zones, making compliance essential for most roof replacement projects.
What Triggers Title 24 Compliance Requirements
Property owners need to understand when Title 24 requirements become mandatory. Cool roofing requirements are triggered when 50% or more of the roof is being replaced. This threshold means that even partial roof replacements can trigger compliance requirements, making it essential to plan accordingly.
The requirements apply to new construction, additions, and alterations (including roof recoverings) on nonresidential (including motel and hotels and relocatable public school buildings), multifamily buildings, and single-family residential buildings. Additionally, the requirements vary based on climate zone, building type, roof square footage, and roof slope (low or steep).
Key Changes in the 2025 Energy Code
The upcoming 2025 standards bring important updates that LA County property owners should understand. The 2025 Energy Code builds on California’s technology innovations, encouraging energy efficient approaches to encourage building decarbonization, emphasizing in particular on heat pumps for space heating and water heating. This set of Energy Codes also extends the benefits of photovoltaic and battery storage systems and other demand flexible technology to work in combinations with heat pumps to enable California buildings to be responsive to climate change.
These changes reflect California’s commitment to environmental sustainability while providing property owners with more options for compliance. The standards continue to emphasize cool roofing materials that reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat, directly addressing the urban heat island effect common in dense metropolitan areas like LA County.
Cool Roof Requirements and Compliance Options
Understanding what makes a roof “cool” is essential for compliance. Solar Reflectance (SR): This measures how much of the sun’s energy is reflected away from the roof surface. Thermal Emittance (TE): This measures how efficiently the roof releases any heat it has absorbed. These two values are often combined into a single Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) score, which provides an overall measure of a roof’s “coolness” on a scale of 0 to 100.
For compliance in most LA County areas, in zones 10-15, installing a cool roof with an SRI that meets or exceeds 16 is one of three options to demonstrate code compliance. In most cases, contractors are complying with the code by installing a cool asphalt shingle roof that meets or exceeds 16 SRI.
Property owners also have alternative compliance paths. Additional attic/roof insulation, installation of a radiant barrier, or “cool” roofing are the three options. This flexibility allows homeowners to choose the most cost-effective approach for their specific situation.
Working with Experienced Local Contractors
Successfully navigating Title 24 requirements requires working with knowledgeable roofing professionals who understand both the technical requirements and local compliance procedures. Royal Roofing, a trusted name in Southern California roofing for nearly five decades, exemplifies the kind of experienced contractor LA County property owners should seek for their Roof Replacement LA County, CA projects.
For nearly 50 years, Royal Roofing has been committed to providing homeowners with affordable and long-lasting roofing solutions. We offer low monthly payment plans and no-interest options to make your roofing project, whether a small repair or transformative replacement, a manageable and valuable investment in your home. The company’s extensive experience includes serving all of Southern California including Beverly Hills, Orange County, San Fernando Valley, Long Beach and San Pedro, and the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys.
What sets established contractors apart is their commitment to quality and compliance. After decades in business, our values haven’t changed. We still—and always will—believe in doing the job right and standing behind our work. This approach is particularly valuable when dealing with Title 24 compliance, where proper documentation and certified materials are essential.
Documentation and Certification Requirements
Compliance with Title 24 requires proper documentation and certified materials. Any roofing product used for compliance must be rated by the CRRC (see section 10-113 of the Energy Code). The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) provides the third-party ratings that verify a product’s performance characteristics.
To comply with Title 24, roofing materials must be certified by the CRRC, and documentation must be submitted during construction or re-roofing permits. Proper certification ensures products meet the necessary energy efficiency standards, simplifying the approval process.
Long-Term Benefits and Cost Considerations
While Title 24 compliance may require specific materials or installation methods, the long-term benefits often outweigh initial costs. While high-performance windows or a heat pump may have a higher initial cost, they are selected based on a lifecycle cost analysis. The energy savings they provide over time are designed to outweigh the upfront investment, resulting in a lower total cost of homeownership.
Cool roofs specifically provide measurable benefits in LA County’s warm climate. A cool roof benefits both you and the environment by reducing energy consumption. You’ll pay less on your electricity bill, which will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Planning Your Compliant Roof Replacement
Success with Title 24 compliance starts with proper planning and professional guidance. You should always check with your local jurisdiction to see which requirements apply to your building, as codes are constantly evolving and limits for individual locales may be stricter than those discussed here.
Working with experienced contractors who understand both the technical requirements and local permitting processes ensures your project meets all applicable standards while maximizing energy efficiency and long-term value. The investment in proper compliance pays dividends through reduced energy costs, improved comfort, and enhanced property value.
As California continues to lead in environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, Title 24 compliance represents not just a regulatory requirement but an opportunity to create more comfortable, efficient, and valuable properties. For LA County property owners planning roof replacements, understanding these requirements and working with qualified professionals ensures successful projects that meet today’s standards while preparing for tomorrow’s energy challenges.