Orange County enforces the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) for all new construction and major remodels, requiring water efficiency, construction waste diversion, and indoor air quality measures verified at permit close-out.
CALGreen is part of Title 24 and applies countywide as adopted by OC Public Works and city building departments. Mandatory measures include low-flow plumbing fixtures, fifty percent construction waste diversion, low-VOC paints and adhesives, and bicycle parking for non-residential projects. New homes must meet enhanced energy and water budgets verified by HERS-rated testing. OC follows the state Title 24 update cycle—2022 code currently in effect with 2025 update pending. Optional Tier 1 and Tier 2 measures may be required by certain cities or for projects pursuing utility incentive programs. Demolition debris must go to approved facilities.
Failure to document waste diversion or pass HERS testing blocks final inspection; corrections plus fines of one hundred to five hundred dollars typical.
See how other cities in Orange County handle green building code.
See how Costa Mesa's green building code rules stack up against other locations.
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