The California Green Building Standards Code—Part 11, Title 24, California Code of Regulations—known as CALGreen, is the first-in-the-nation mandatory green building standards code. In 2007, CBSC developed green building standards in an effort to meet the goals of California’s landmark initiative AB 32, which established a comprehensive program of cost-effective reductions of greenhouse gases (GHG) to 1990 levels by 2020.

CBSC has the authority to propose CALGreen standards for nonresidential structures that include new buildings or portions of new buildings, additions and alterations, and all occupancies where no other state agency has the authority to adopt green building standards applicable to those occupancies.

To read a brief history of CALGreen's origins and development, visit our History of CALGreen webpage. 

California Green Building Standards Code (CALGREEN)

PART 11 – CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE effective January 1, 2023

PART 11–California Green Building Standards Code

Non-residential Checklists

 Updated checklists are also available in the CALGreen Code Supplement (Section A5.602).

Non-residential Worksheets

Residential Checklists

In partnership with the California Building Officials (CALBO), the International Code Council (ICC) offers a CALGreen Certification Exam that is intended to validate the competency of inspectors and plan reviewers on their understanding and ability to implement the provisions of CALGreen. The CALGreen Inspector/Plans Examiner certification exam covers such topics as general requirements of CALGreen, residential building systems, and non-residential building systems. The certification is offered via computer-based testing.

 

CALGreen Resources Repository

Visit the CALGreen Info website for a wealth of resources regarding the California Green Building Standards Code, Part 11 of Title 24.  This website is hosted by California Energy Codes & Standards and is a central location with information from subject matter experts on electric vehicle charging, embodied carbon reduction and other CALGreen requirements. Here you will find guides, presentations, toolkits and factsheets, among many other resources to help you apply the regulations to your project.

CALGreen Resources Repository

Visit the CALGreen Info website for a wealth of resources regarding the California Green Building Standards Code, Part 11 of Title 24.  This website is hosted by California Energy Codes & Standards and is a central location with information from subject matter experts on electric vehicle charging, embodied carbon reduction and other CALGreen requirements. Here you will find guides, presentations, toolkits and factsheets, among many other resources to help you apply the regulations to your project.

CALGreen Leadership Recognition in 2024

Since 2009, the California Green Building Standards Code, Part 11 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (CALGreen), has been a leading example for green building codes throughout the nation and the world. The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) is proud of its efforts and accomplishments in developing sustainable building regulations that improve the quality of life in the state now and into the future.

In May 2024, CBSC had the honor of accepting two awards recognizing CALGreen’s status as a leader in green building standards.

Green Technology's Pioneer Award recognized CBSC Associate Construction Analyst Enrique M. Rodriquez for his contributions to the development of CALGreen, specifically the alternative compliance methods for electric vehicle charging (effective on July 1, 2024).

 Enrique holding his award trophy

Enrique M. Rodriguez

 

The U.S. Green Building Council's 2024 Policy Leadership Award recognized CBSC, the Division of the State Architect and the American Institute of Architects-California for collaborative leadership efforts in creating the mandatory embodied carbon reduction building standards in CALGreen (effective on July 1, 2024).

Candid picture of awardees 

Ben Stapleton (USGBC), Winston Thorne (AIA-CA), Irina Brauzman (CBSC) and Sarah Vasquez (AIA-CA)

New Mandatory Embodied Carbon Reduction Regulations effective July 1, 2024
Updated EV Charging Regulations effective July 1. 2024
This video shares the history and purpose of CALGreen, including an overview of the code’s scope, structure and application.
DSA's CA EVCS Accessibility Video

CALGreen Rulemaking

For all building standards rulemaking, including CALGreen, visit the Rulemaking web page.