Cool Roof Requirements: Long Beach vs Los Angeles
How do cool roof requirements rules compare between Long Beach, CA and Los Angeles, CA?
Long Beach and Los Angeles have similar restriction levels.
Long Beach, CA
Los Angeles County
Long Beach enforces California Title 24 energy code provisions requiring high-reflectance, low-emittance roofing on most new and reroofed low-slope buildings. The rules cut summer cooling loads and reduce contributions to the urban heat island in inland neighborhoods.
View full Long Beach rules →Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County
LAMC §94.0303 (Green Building Code) and LA Energy Code §150.1(c)11 require single-family homes with low-slope roofs (greater than 2:12 pitch) to install cool-roof products meeting an aged Solar Reflectance Index of at least 20, on top of CALGreen Title 24 Part 11 baselines.
View full Los Angeles rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Long Beach | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Code | California Title 24 Part 6 | - |
| Trigger | Most new and reroof projects | - |
| Rating | CRRC-rated products required | - |
| Local benefit | Heat island reduction | - |
| City code | - | LAMC §94.0303 Green Building |
| State baseline | - | Title 24 Part 6 §150.1(c)11 |
| Steep-slope SRI | - | Aged SRI 20 minimum |
| Low-slope reflectance | - | Aged reflectance 0.63 minimum |
| Effective | - | 2014 ordinance, ongoing |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Long Beach FAQ
Do small homeowner reroofs need cool roofs?
Steep-slope residential reroofs have flexible compliance paths. Most low-slope and large reroofs must use rated cool roof products under Title 24.
Is recoating an option?
Yes. CRRC-rated coatings can be applied to existing low-slope roofs to achieve required reflectance and meet reroof compliance.
Los Angeles FAQ
Do I need a cool roof for a small reroof?
Reroofs replacing more than 50% of roof area trigger Title 24 compliance, including cool-roof requirements. Minor patch repairs under that threshold are exempt under LADBS reroof guidance.
Can I install a regular dark shingle?
Only if the product carries a Cool Roof Rating Council label showing aged SRI of 20 or more. Many modern asphalt shingles are CRRC-rated; check before purchase to confirm compliance.
Does the rule apply to ADUs?
Yes. Accessory dwelling units must meet the same Title 24 and LAMC §94.0303 cool-roof rules as primary residences, with documentation submitted at LADBS plan-check before permit issuance.
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