Title 24 is California’s energy code, and its lighting section decides which fixtures and controls your remodel is allowed to use. It sounds bureaucratic — in practice it’s a short list of requirements you can plan around.
The parts that touch lighting
The code caps how much power your lighting can draw per square foot, and it requires controls: dimmers or occupancy sensors in most rooms, and daylight-responsive dimming near windows and skylights. Newer fixtures make this easy — LED and modern drivers are already efficient enough to clear the power limits comfortably.
How to stay out of trouble
- Spec high-efficacy (LED) sources from the start.
- Plan controls per room early — retrofitting them later costs more.
- Keep documentation for inspection; certificates of compliance matter.
- Work with a licensed contractor who signs off on the energy forms.
On our projects the compliance paperwork is handled as part of the job — you get a design that passes inspection without last-minute changes.
Devon Lane
Licensed C-10 lead at Los Angeles Lighting & Electrical. Keeps projects compliant with California energy code from plan to inspection.
