Title 24 Cool Roof Requirements | California Energy Standards

What is Title 24?

Title 24 is California's Building Energy Efficiency Standards, part of the California Code of Regulations. Updated every three years, these standards ensure that new buildings and major renovations meet minimum energy efficiency requirements. The cool roof provisions help reduce energy consumption, improve comfort, and mitigate the urban heat island effect.

The 2022 Title 24 standards (effective January 1, 2023) include specific requirements for cool roofs based on building type, climate zone, and roof slope. These requirements apply to new construction, additions, and alterations where more than 50% of the roof is being replaced or recovered.

Cool Roof Requirements

Cool roofs reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than standard roofs. Title 24 specifies minimum performance values for aged solar reflectance and thermal emittance, which together determine the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI).

Residential Buildings

For residential buildings (single-family, multi-family up to three stories), cool roof requirements apply to low-sloped roofs (≤ 2:12 pitch) in specific climate zones:

• Aged Solar Reflectance: ≥ 0.63 (or 0.20 with qualifying insulation)

• Thermal Emittance: ≥ 0.75

• Alternative: SRI ≥ 75 for low-slope applications

• Steep-Slope Option: CRRC-rated products with reflectance ≥ 0.20

Nonresidential Buildings

Commercial and high-rise residential buildings have stricter requirements:

• Low-Slope (≤ 2:12): Aged reflectance ≥ 0.63, emittance ≥ 0.75

• Steep-Slope (> 2:12): Aged reflectance ≥ 0.20, emittance ≥ 0.75

• Alternative Compliance: SRI ≥ 75 for low-slope, SRI ≥ 16 for steep-slope

• Exception: Roofs with integrated PV or solar thermal systems

Important Note: "Aged" values represent the solar reflectance after three years of weathering. The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) provides rated values that account for this aging process.

Climate Zone Requirements

California's 16 climate zones have varying cool roof requirements. Cool roofs are mandatory or prescriptive in zones with significant cooling loads:

• Zones 1-16: Cool roofs required for nonresidential low-slope roofs

• Zones 10-15: Cool roofs required for residential low-slope roofs

• Zones 2-15: Cool roofs provide compliance credit for steep-slope applications

• Zone 16: Cool roofs not required for residential buildings

Find your climate zone using the California Energy Commission's lookup tool or consult your local building department. Major cities and their zones:

• Los Angeles: Zone 9

• San Diego: Zone 10

• San Francisco: Zone 3

• Sacramento: Zone 12

• Fresno: Zone 13

Compliance Options

Title 24 offers several paths to compliance for cool roof requirements:

1. Prescriptive Compliance

• Use CRRC-rated roofing products that meet minimum values

• Follow specific requirements for your building type and climate zone

• Document product ratings on CF1R forms

2. Performance Compliance

• Use approved energy modeling software

• Demonstrate overall building meets energy budget

• May allow trade-offs with other building components

3. Exceptions

• Roofs with ≥ 2 pounds per square foot of thermal mass

• Areas covered by photovoltaic panels or solar collectors

• Roof repairs covering less than 50% of roof area

• Qualified insulation assemblies in certain climate zones

Inspection & Documentation

Building inspectors will verify Title 24 cool roof compliance through:

1. Product Documentation

• CRRC Product Rating Certificate

• Manufacturer's product data sheets

• Product labels showing CRRC ID number

2. Compliance Forms

• CF1R-ENV-01-E (Certificate of Compliance)

• CF2R-ENV-01-E (Installation Certificate)

• CF3R-ENV-20-H (Verification for alterations)

3. Field Verification

• Visual inspection of installed products

• Verification of product labeling

• Confirmation of proper installation

Pro Tip: Order CRRC certificates before installation and keep copies on-site. Many roofing manufacturers provide these certificates on their websites or through the CRRC directory at coolroofs.org.

Title 24 Compliant Products

Browse our selection of Title 24 compliant cool roof products. Popular options include elastomeric coatings, single-ply membranes, modified bitumen, metal roofing, and CRRC-rated tiles and shingles.