California Code Compliance · Statewide
Title 24 Cool Roof Compliance for California Commercial Buildings
California's Title 24 Part 6 energy code sets solar reflectance and thermal emittance requirements for most low-slope commercial roofs. We build compliance into every applicable project from the first inspection — not as a change order discovered halfway through the job.
Licensed commercial roofing contractor serving businesses statewide across California.
Title 24 is California's statewide building energy code, and Part 6 is the section that governs roofing for most commercial buildings. Its cool-roof provisions set minimum solar reflectance and thermal emittance values for low-slope nonresidential roofs, with the goal of reducing rooftop heat gain and, by extension, the cooling loads that drive a huge share of a commercial building's energy use in a state with California's sun exposure. For property owners and facility managers, the practical question is simpler: does my roofing project actually trigger this requirement, and if so, what does compliance look like on my specific building?
The honest answer is that it depends on your scope of work. New low-slope commercial roof installations are the clearest trigger, but re-roofing and recover projects can also trigger compliance depending on the percentage of roof area being replaced and the specifics of the existing assembly. Certain roof areas, insulation configurations, and building or occupancy types can qualify for exceptions — which is exactly why a generic national roofing playbook falls short here. Every project needs a specific determination, made early, not assumed one way or the other.
California's CALGreen code adds another layer that can apply depending on your project type and local jurisdiction, and compliance documentation for either code typically runs through CF1R paperwork that references the specific reflectance and emittance ratings of the materials installed. We treat Title 24 and CALGreen fluency as a core part of our process statewide — from Los Angeles and San Diego to the Bay Area, Sacramento, and the Central Valley — not a specialty add-on service.
What Compliance Actually Involves
Title 24, CALGreen, and CF1R documentation
Solar Reflectance & Thermal Emittance
Title 24 Part 6 sets minimum solar reflectance and thermal emittance values for most low-slope nonresidential roofs, sometimes measured together as a Solar Reflectance Index. We select membranes, coatings, and metal finishes that meet the specific values your project requires.
When Re-Roofing Triggers Compliance
Both a full re-roof and a recover project can trigger Title 24 cool-roof requirements depending on the percentage of roof area being replaced and the scope of work involved. We confirm applicability during the inspection stage, before it becomes a surprise mid-project.
CALGreen Interaction
California's statewide green building code works alongside Title 24 and can add requirements depending on your project type, occupancy, and local jurisdiction. We identify which CALGreen provisions apply to your specific roofing scope.
CF1R Documentation Support
Compliance projects typically require CF1R energy compliance documentation. We coordinate the roofing-specific inputs — material reflectance and emittance ratings, roof area, insulation values — that feed into your project's compliance paperwork.
Built for California, Specifically
What most out-of-state contractors get wrong here
Exceptions & Exemptions Exist
Not every project triggers full Title 24 cool-roof requirements — roof area thresholds, insulation levels, and certain building/occupancy types can qualify for exceptions. We evaluate your specific project rather than assuming a blanket requirement applies.
Compliant Systems Across Materials
TPO and PVC single-ply membranes, cool-roof-rated coatings, and Kynar/PVDF-finished metal panels can all meet Title 24 reflectivity targets when specified correctly — compliance doesn't lock you into one roofing system.
Reflectivity Fades Over Time
A membrane or coating's reflectance value drops as it accumulates dirt and UV wear, which is why scheduled cleaning and maintenance matters for buildings that need to maintain code compliance over the life of the roof, not just at installation.
A Real California-Only Moat
Title 24 compliance is a California-specific discipline that most national roofing companies simply don't build into their process by default. We treat it as a core part of every applicable project scope, not an afterthought bolted on at the end.
When Compliance Is Triggered
Four scenarios that bring Title 24 into a project
New Low-Slope Construction
New commercial construction with a low-slope roof is the clearest and most consistent Title 24 Part 6 trigger — compliance is built into the project from permitting forward, not added later.
Full Tear-Off Re-Roof
A complete tear-off and replacement of an existing low-slope roof typically triggers cool-roof compliance regardless of what the original roof was rated for, since the project is treated as new construction for code purposes.
Recover Projects
Installing a new roof system over an existing one without removing it can also trigger compliance depending on the percentage of roof area involved and the specifics of the recover assembly.
Additions & Major Alterations
Building additions and major roof-related alterations can trigger Title 24 review even when the rest of the roof isn't being touched — we confirm scope-specific applicability before work begins.
Our Process
From applicability check to documented compliance
Confirm Applicability
We determine whether your specific re-roof, recover, or new-install scope actually triggers Title 24 Part 6 requirements.
Select Compliant Materials
Membranes, coatings, or metal finishes chosen to meet the reflectance and emittance values your project needs.
Coordinate CALGreen
We flag any additional CALGreen requirements tied to your project type or jurisdiction.
Support Documentation
Roofing-specific data provided for your project's CF1R compliance paperwork.
Install to Spec
Licensed installation to the specified system, statewide dispatch.
Document Compliance
Final photo documentation and material specification sheets provided for your records.
Related Services
Compliant systems across every material we install
Roof Coatings & Restoration
The fastest path to reflectivity compliance on an existing roof.
TPO, PVC & EPDM Single-Ply Roofing
Reflective membrane options that meet Title 24 targets.
Commercial Metal Roofing
Reflective finish options for a compliant metal system.
Commercial Roof Replacement
Full re-roof projects where compliance is often triggered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Title 24 & cool roof questions we hear often
What is Title 24 and does it apply to my commercial roof?
Title 24 Part 6 is California's energy code, which sets solar reflectance and thermal emittance requirements for low-slope nonresidential roofs. It applies to most new commercial roof installations and many re-roofing or recover projects — our team confirms applicability and compliance requirements as part of every project scope.
Do I need a "cool roof" for my commercial building in California?
In most cases, yes, if you're installing a new low-slope roof or re-roofing an existing one — Title 24 requires minimum reflectivity and emittance values for most commercial buildings, with some exceptions based on roof area and insulation.
Does re-roofing or recovering my roof trigger new energy code requirements?
Often, yes. Both re-roofing and recover projects can trigger Title 24 cool-roof compliance depending on the scope of work and the percentage of roof area being replaced. We confirm this during the inspection and proposal stage so there are no surprises.
What is CALGreen and how does it relate to my roofing project?
CALGreen is California's statewide green building code, which works alongside Title 24 and can include additional requirements depending on your project type and jurisdiction. We help identify which requirements apply to your specific roofing project.
Find out if your project triggers Title 24 compliance
Call 844-967-5247 or request a free quote online — we'll respond within 1 business day.