Suggested Code-Compliant Solutions
The compliant solutions listed below are suggested based on total installed cost, simplicity of design, and basic functional needs for the space. These solutions do not represent the only compliant options to meet lighting and receptacle control requirements. Applications in this guide will illustrate these solutions and/or alternate solutions for advanced functionality.
Diagram key: [New Construction], [Lighting Retrofit]1, [New Construction & Retrofit]1
| Local Control | Automatic Control2 | Daylight responsive control | Receptacle control7 | Demand response6 | Other Exteriors5 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switching | Multi-level or dimming | Timeclock1 | Occupancy sensor | Full ON | Partial ON | Full OFF | Partial OFF | |||||
| Atrium | * | * | * | |||||||||
| Break Room | * | * | * | |||||||||
| Classroom, Conference, Lecture Hall, Multi-Purpose Training Room | * | * | * | |||||||||
| Room Egress | * | * | * | |||||||||
| Corridor3 | * | * | * | |||||||||
| Lobby | * | * | * | |||||||||
| Open Office (>250 sq ft) | * | * | * | * | * | |||||||
| Private Office (<250 sq ft) | * | * | * | * | ||||||||
| Restroom4 | * | * | * | |||||||||
| Egress Stairwell3,4 | * | * | * | |||||||||
| Storage Room | * | * | * | |||||||||
| Facade/ Landscape | * | * | * | |||||||||
| Parking Garage4 (Not Roof) | * | * | * | |||||||||
| Other Exteriors5 | * | * | * | |||||||||
1 Retrofit requirements indicated are for lighting alterations that replace more than 10% of the luminaries in the space, and use less than 80% of the maximum allowed lighting power. Or, one-for-one luminaire replacements for buildings or tenant spaces less than 5,000 sq ft when new lighting power is 40% lower than previous lighting power.
2 Manual ON is always permitted for interior applications. Provide manual ON control when no automatic ON is indicated.
3 Up to 0.1 W may be continuously illuminated for means of egress illumination.
4 Local control may be inaccessible to unauthorized personnel.
5 Astronomical timeclock shall ensure the lights are off during daylight hours. Occupancy sensor shall provide Full ON and Partial OFF control. Occupancy sensing not required for lighting mounted higher than 24 feet.
6 Automatic reduction of lighting power by at least 80% (Full OFF complies) when zones are vacant for more than 20 minutes. Lighting in the entire space goes OFF 20 minutes after all occupants have vacated the space.
7 Controlled receptacles in buildings shall be capable of automatically turning OFF all loads connected to the receptacle in response to a demand-response signal.
Title 24 2025 will be effective for all permitted projects in California starting on January 1, 2026.
For complete details, visit: lutron.com/energycodes
Energy Codes Email: energycodes@lutron.com
Code Requirement Summary
| Category | Minimum control type | Description | Section |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Control | Switching | Lighting shall be capable of turning ON and OFF. There shall be at least one manual device for control of the lighting within a space. See code for spaces that allow remote location of control. | 130.1 (a) |
| Multi-level or dimming | Spaces larger than 100 square feet and that use more than 0.5 watts per square foot of lighting power shall provide manual dimming controls that can adjust lighting power from 100% to 10% or lower, and can turn lighting off. | 130.1 (b) | |
| Automatic Control2 | Timeclock1 | Interior: Scheduled control, based on time-of-day, turns lighting ON or OFF based on typical occupancy. Occupancy sensors also comply as an alternate to using a timeclock. Exterior: Scheduled control, based on time of day and sunrise/sunset (requires astronomical timeclock), turns lighting ON or OFF based on typical occupancy and daylight. |
130.1 (c) 1 130.2 (c) 1,2 |
| Occupancy sensor | Automatic control turns lighting ON upon occupancy or OFF after a vacancy of 20 minutes or less. When manual ON is used, provide a vacancy sensor which provides manual-ON, automatic-OFF functionality. | 130.1 (c) | |
| Full ON | When initiated by a timeclock or occupancy sensor, lighting is automatically turned ON to maximum lighting power. | 130.1 (c) 1 130.1 (c) 5 |
|
| Partial ON | When initiated by a timeclock or occupancy sensor, lighting is automatically turned ON to 50%-70% of maximum lighting power. | 130.1 (c) 5 | |
| Full OFF | When initiated by a timeclock or occupancy sensor, lighting is automatically turned OFF. | 130.1 (c) 5 130.2 (a) |
|
| Partial OFF | When initiated by a timeclock or occupancy sensor, lighting is automatically reduced by at least 50% of maximum lighting power for interior spaces, 20% - 50% for parking garages. Exterior: Parking lot pole- and wall-mounted luminaires 24 ft. or less in height must be controlled with motion sensors that reduce the lighting power by 50% - 90% or OFF, when the zone is vacant by more than 15 minutes. Automatic full OFF also complies. | 130.1 (c) 6 & 7 130.2 (c) 3 |
|
| Daylight responsive control | Interior & Parking Garages: A sensor that adjusts lighting in response to available daylight is required for sidelight and skylight zones (see the "Daylight zone requirements" diagrams). Exterior: A photosensor can be used as an alternate to the dawn/dusk operation of an astronomical timeclock. |
130.1 (d) 130.2 (c) 1 |
|
| Receptacle control7 | At least 50% of the receptacles shall automatically turn OFF based on typical occupancy or after a vacancy of 20 minutes or less. Each uncontrolled receptacle must have at least one controlled receptacle within 6 ft. Open offices with receptacles in modular furniture must include one controlled receptacle per workstation. Plug-in devices do not comply. | 130.5 (d) | |
| Demand response6 | Buildings using more than 4,000 watts of lighting power in spaces that are required to have multi-level lighting controls shall have demand responsive lighting controls that can reduce lighting power in response to an OpenAPR signal. Controlled receptacles in buildings shall be capable of automatically turning off all loads connected to the receptacle in response to a demand response signal. | 130.1 (e) 110.12 (c) 110.12 (e) |
Daylight Zone Requirements
Daylight zone requirements ensure that lighting systems respond to available natural light to reduce energy consumption.
Sidelighting (Window)
This diagram illustrates daylight zone requirements for windows. It shows a person next to a window. The Primary Daylight Zone extends 1.0 times the window head height (Hw) into the space from the window. The Secondary Daylight Zone extends 2.0 times the window head height (Hw) into the space. The diagram also indicates that the Primary Daylight Zone is adjacent to the window, and the Secondary Daylight Zone is further into the room.
Key Dimensions:
Window Head Height (Hw)
Primary Daylight Zone: 1.0 x Hw
Secondary Daylight Zone: 2.0 x Hw
Toplighting (Skylight)
This diagram illustrates daylight zone requirements for skylights. It shows a skylight above a space. The Skylight Zone extends 0.7 times the average ceiling height (Hc) from the skylight into the space.
Key Dimensions:
Average Ceiling Height (Hc)
Skylight Zone: 0.7 x Hc
Daylight Exceptions
Daylight control is not required when the total lighting power of a daylight zone is 75 W or less (60 W for parking garages), or when the total glazing/opening area is 24 sq ft or less (36 sq ft for parking garages). Other exceptions exist, based on space type, window area, neighboring obstructions, and glass transmittance.
Important Notes and Compliance
For areas being used as a path of egress or fixtures being used for emergency, verify compliance with your local authority having jurisdiction.
Acceptance (functional) testing is required for all new construction applications to ensure that control hardware and software are calibrated, programmed, and functioning properly (Section 130.4).
1 To maximize energy savings and optimize the user experience, Lutron recommends the use of occupancy sensors instead of timeclocks to achieve automatic on/off requirements.
2 Manual ON is always permitted for interior applications. Provide manual ON control when no automatic ON is indicated.
This document summarizes the lighting and receptacle control requirements for commercial buildings. It is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to replace your state's or local jurisdiction's official energy code. Please refer to your local building energy code or authority having jurisdiction for your precise requirements. Only the authority having jurisdiction can guarantee code compliance.
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