California Title 24 Lighting Controls: 2025 Compliance Guide

California Title 24 Lighting Controls: What the 2025 Code Requires

If you're pulling permits in California in 2026, you're building to the 2025 Title 24, Part 6 energy code. The 2025 update is more refinement than overhaul — but the lighting-control requirements are detailed, strictly enforced at permit, and easy to trip over. Here's what's required and how to spec for it.

When the 2025 code applies

The 2025 Energy Code applies to building permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026. Earlier permits fall under the prior cycle. The permit date governs.

What actually changed in 2025

The 2025 lighting changes are mostly adjustments and clarifications — not a rewrite of the power limits:

  • The Tailored Method was removed as a compliance path; its wattage allowances are now Additional Power Allowances under the Area Category Method. Indoor and outdoor lighting power allowances are otherwise largely unchanged.
  • Manual controls can now be located in the space or remotely with annunciators, for all space types.
  • Multilevel control was simplified: where required, controls must provide continuous dimming from 100% to 10% of lighting power (HID or induction sources instead need one step between 30–70%).
  • The daylight-response threshold was lowered, pulling more daylit zones into the requirement.
  • Demand-response controls must comply with a qualifying OpenADR standard.
  • A new outdoor power allowance was added for spaces using security cameras.

Heads-up: 2025 did not broadly cut indoor lighting power allowances. If you see blog posts claiming new per-square-foot LPD reductions for offices or retail in the 2025 code, treat them skeptically — the authoritative guidance says indoor allowances are largely unchanged.

The lighting controls Title 24 requires

Across new nonresidential construction (and many alterations), Title 24 Part 6 mandates:

  • Manual controls so occupants can control lighting in essentially every space.
  • Multilevel / continuous dimming: general lighting over 0.5 W/sq ft in spaces over 100 sq ft must dim continuously from 100% to 10% (HID/induction excepted).
  • Automatic shutoff: lighting must turn off or reduce when a space is vacated — via occupant sensors (typically off within 20 minutes of vacancy), time-switch controls, or equivalent.
  • Occupant sensors specifically required in space types including offices under 250 sq ft, multipurpose rooms under 1,000 sq ft, classrooms, conference rooms, restrooms, warehouse aisles and open areas, library book-stack aisles, corridors, and stairwells. Open offices over 250 sq ft need occupant sensing with control zones no larger than 600 sq ft.
  • Daylight-responsive controls where a daylit zone has 75 W or more of general lighting.
  • Outdoor lighting: daytime shutoff plus motion sensors that cut at least 50% for qualifying luminaires (≥40 W, mounted ≤24 ft).
  • Demand response: projects with 4,000 W or more of general lighting need OpenADR-compliant demand-responsive controls.
  • Acceptance testing: installed controls must be tested and certified by a qualified Acceptance Test Technician.

How to actually hit compliance

The fastest path for most commercial jobs is a networked lighting-control platform plus the right sensors and dimmers:

  • Digital Lighting Management (DLM) systems — like Legrand Wattstopper DLM — give you plug-and-play room controllers, occupancy/vacancy sensors, and continuous dimming that map directly to the shutoff, multilevel, and daylight requirements.
  • Occupant / vacancy sensors for the space types that require them.
  • Continuous-dimming drivers and controls to meet the 100%–10% rule.
  • For residential and mixed projects, Lutron controls cover dimming and occupancy needs with installer-grade reliability.

Rock Lighting & Electric is an authorized Wattstopper and Lutron dealer and distributor, and we stock the sensors, room controllers, and dimmers contractors use to meet Title 24 — with contractor pricing on request. Send us your plans or a control schedule and we'll help you spec a compliant package.

FAQ

When does the 2025 Title 24 code take effect?
It applies to building permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026.
Does Title 24 require occupancy sensors?
Yes — occupant-sensing controls are required in many space types, including small offices, conference rooms, classrooms, restrooms, warehouse aisles, corridors, and stairwells.
What dimming does Title 24 require?
Where multilevel control is required, continuous dimming from 100% to 10% of lighting power (HID or induction sources instead use a step between 30–70%).
Did the 2025 code lower lighting power allowances?
Indoor lighting power allowances are largely unchanged; the main structural change was removing the Tailored Method and folding its allowances into the Area Category Method.
What products help meet the lighting-control rules?
Networked controls such as Wattstopper DLM, plus occupancy sensors and continuous-dimming drivers. Rock Lighting & Electric stocks these as an authorized Wattstopper and Lutron dealer.

Contractor pricing and project help: create your Rock contractor account for trade pricing and online ordering, or request a quote on your job. Related guides: wired vs wireless controls, Title 24 daylighting requirements, and commercial occupancy sensors. New here? See why contractors buy lighting from Rock.

This article is general guidance, not a substitute for a Title 24 compliance professional or the official code text. Confirm requirements for your specific occupancy and jurisdiction. Major code requirements summarized here; consult Title 24, Part 6 for exceptions and detail.

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