An Open Permit That Was Never Finaled: What the Energy Paperwork Still Needs
The department cannot finish a house final until the installed features and documents are verified, so closing an old permit means a CF1R matching what was built, each installer's CF2R and, where testing applies, a registered CF3R. Whether the permit is extended, renewed or reapplied is a local decision.
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Why this case is not the expired-permit rule
Part 1 has a clause for a permit that was issued, never used and expired: a new permit needs a written determination under the code in effect on the new application date. That sentence covers only a permit with no construction under it. Yours has work in place, and Part 1 sets no expiry period or reinstatement process, so the department decides how it handles the file. The expired permit page covers the no-work case.
Which code a renewal can bring
Section 100.0(a)2 applies Part 6 to buildings for which a permit application or a renewal of an existing permit is filed on or after the effective date. A renewal filed on or after 1 January 2026 can therefore pull the 2025 Energy Code into a job started under 2022. Ask which filing the department treats yours as; see the 2022-code permit page.
The closeout documents, in order
- The approved CF1R. For an alteration that needs verification and has no plan set, it must be approved before final rather than before the permit.
- A CF2R from each trade for the regulated work, signed by the person responsible for the installation.
- A CF3R signed and dated by an ECC-Rater, after the rater confirms the CF1R and CF2R are registered.
- Copies of all of them, which the builder must leave for the owner at final.
Where registration applies, the registry's project status report lists each required document with its registration date or marks it not complete, which makes a ready-made checklist.
When the signer is gone and the work is buried
An alteration that needs verification is tested individually, so the rater must see the installed equipment as it is today. If an installer will not sign, the department decides who may. The pages on missing CF2R forms and missing CF3R forms cover those gaps, and the residential service prepares the CF1R.
Common Title 24 Questions
- What is Title 24?
- Do I need a Title 24 report?
- How much does a Title 24 report cost?
- How long does a Title 24 report take?
- What is included in a Title 24 report?
- What plans do I need to upload?
Frequently Asked Questions
Only if the work included features that require ECC field verification. The CF1R lists them, and the department will not approve the final without the registered CF3R.
That is for the department to allow. Ask it whether the permit can be transferred, renewed or must be reapplied.
Explore Existing Buildings
- Can You Reuse a Title 24 Report?
- Do You Need a Title 24 Report to Sell a House?
- Title 24 for a Permit That Was Started Under the 2022 Code
- Title 24 for As-Built Permits in California
- Title 24 for Legalizing Unpermitted Construction
View all Existing Buildings guides → · Permits and Compliance · Title 24 guide