Does a kitchen remodel need Title 24?

It depends on scope. Replacing cabinets and finishes usually does not trigger the Energy Code. Adding or relocating HVAC, changing windows, or altering lighting in a way the code regulates usually does.

Do I need a report if I am only replacing windows?

Window replacement is an alteration to the building envelope and is normally regulated. Most jurisdictions ask for compliance documentation showing the new fenestration meets the applicable requirements.

Who decides whether I need one?

The local building department that issues your permit. State code sets the baseline, but the jurisdiction reviewing your plans makes the determination for your project.

Do I Need a Title 24 Report for My Project?

In most California jurisdictions, a Title 24 energy compliance report is part of the plan-check submittal whenever a permit touches a regulated building system.

Title 24, Part 6 is the California Energy Code. It applies statewide, and your local building department enforces it during plan check. The short answer is that if your project needs a building permit and it affects the building envelope, HVAC, water heating, lighting or the electrical systems the code regulates, a compliance report is normally required.

Projects that typically require a report

Newly constructed homes, ADUs and other dwelling units
Additions that add conditioned floor area
Alterations that replace or add regulated equipment — for example a new HVAC system, ducts, a water heater, or windows
Garage or basement conversions that create new conditioned space
Nonresidential tenant improvements affecting lighting, mechanical or envelope

Projects that often do not

Purely cosmetic work — flooring, paint, cabinetry, non-structural finishes — generally does not trigger the Energy Code, because it does not alter a regulated component. Repairs that return a component to its existing condition are treated differently from alterations.

The important caveat

Your building department has the final say. Some jurisdictions apply local ordinances that go beyond the state code, and a few ZIP codes span more than one climate zone, which the jurisdiction resolves. If you are unsure, the fastest route is to ask your plan checker what they require for your specific scope, or send us your plans and we will tell you honestly whether you need a report at all.

Projects permitted on or after 1 January 2026 are reviewed under the 2025 Energy Code. Which edition applies is determined by your permit application date, not by when construction starts.