Commercial (nonresidential) projects in California demonstrate Energy Code compliance on NRCC certificates of compliance. Depending on scope, these cover the envelope, mechanical systems, indoor and outdoor lighting, and process loads. Each scope is documented separately and submitted with the permit set.
Projects we cover
What’s included
- Scope review and quote
- NRCC envelope, mechanical and lighting forms as required
- Performance modeling where beneficial
- Acceptance-testing requirement list
- Plan-check revisions
Does a tenant improvement need Title 24?
If the work alters lighting, HVAC, or envelope components, it typically needs NRCC documentation for the altered scope.
What changed for commercial under the 2025 code?
The 2025 code expands heat-pump baselines for many building types and updates PV and battery requirements. Your scope determines what applies.
Which compliance forms are used?
Nonresidential projects use NRCC forms (e.g. NRCC-LTI for indoor lighting, NRCC-MCH for mechanical, NRCC-ENV for envelope, NRCC-PRF for performance).
What documents do I need?
- Architectural plans and scope narrative
- Lighting plans and fixture schedule
- Mechanical plans and equipment schedule
- Envelope details
- Space-use / occupancy information
Missing something? Order anyway — we’ll flag gaps and, where appropriate, use code-minimum assumptions with your approval.
How we prepare your report
- 01Plan & data intake
We review your plans for completeness — floor plans, elevations, sections, window schedule and mechanical notes — and flag anything missing before modeling starts.
- 02Climate zone & scope confirmation
We confirm the project’s climate zone from the site address using the CEC lookup, and the compliance scope (new construction, addition, alteration).
- 03Energy modeling
The building is modeled in CEC-approved compliance software, choosing the performance or prescriptive path that best fits your design.
- 04Technical review
Inputs are checked against the plans: areas, orientations, assemblies, fenestration, HVAC and water heating, PV and battery requirements.
- 05Delivery & revisions
You receive the signed compliance documents as PDF, ready to print onto the plan set, with included revisions for plan-check comments.
Frequently asked questions
Why is commercial quote-only?
Scope varies too much for a fixed price. A quote ensures you pay only for the forms and modeling your project needs.
How fast do quotes come back?
We review your scope and send a quote by email; turnaround depends on project size.