California Title 24 Lighting Controls: 2024 Compliance Checklist

Complete 2024 California Title 24 lighting controls compliance checklist. Expert guidance on occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting & acceptance testing for contractors.
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5 min read

California Title 24 Lighting Controls: 2024 Compliance Checklist

Failed Your Title 24 Inspection? You're Not Alone.

Nearly 40% of California commercial lighting projects face delays due to Title 24 compliance issues—costing contractors an average of $15,000 per project in rework and lost time.

The culprits? Missing occupancy sensors. Wrong time-delay settings. Failed acceptance tests.

California's Title 24 lighting control requirements are more stringent than ever. Even experienced contractors miss critical details buried in the California Energy Code.

This checklist ensures you get it right the first time.

What is Title 24?

Title 24, Part 6 is California's energy efficiency code for buildings. In 2024, enforcement has tightened around:

✅ Automatic shutoff and occupancy controls

✅ Multi-level dimming (no more simple ON/OFF switches)

✅ Daylight harvesting in naturally lit spaces

✅ Mandatory acceptance testing by certified technicians

Buildings with proper Title 24 lighting controls save 30-50% on lighting energy costs while meeting California's carbon reduction goals.

The solution? Modern battery-free wireless controls make compliance easier, no conduit, no batteries, no ongoing maintenance.

Top 4 Title 24 Requirements You Can't Miss

1. Occupancy Controls with 20-Minute Shutoff

Required in: Offices, restrooms, classrooms, conference rooms, break rooms, storage areas, and hotel guest rooms.

Must have:

  • Occupancy or vacancy sensors
  • Automatic shutoff within 20 minutes (not 30!)
  • Partial-on capability (max 50%)
  • Manual override for occupants

⚠️ COMMON VIOLATION: A Sacramento office failed inspection because sensors had 30-minute delays instead of 20 minutes. Cost: 3-week delay + $8,000 rework.

Pro Tip: Most sensors ship with 30-minute defaults. Always verify during commissioning.

2. Multi-Level Dimming (3 Levels Required)

California banned simple ON/OFF switches for most commercial spaces.

Must have:

  • Three distinct levels: 100%, 30–70%, 10–20%
  • Continuous dimming OR discrete multi-level control
  • Manual dimmer accessible to occupants

⚠️ COMMON VIOLATION: Installing only 2 light levels = automatic inspection failure.

3. Daylight Harvesting

Required: Any space within ~15 feet of windows or under skylights must automatically dim based on available daylight.

Must have:

  • Properly placed photosensors (not directly above windows)
  • Automatic dimming or shutoff
  • Proper calibration to prevent flicker

Real failure: A San Jose tech campus failed testing because sensors were too close to windows. Fix cost: $12,000.

4. Acceptance Testing (MANDATORY)

A certified Acceptance Test Technician (ATT) must validate:

✅ Sensor coverage and accuracy

✅ 20-minute shutoff timing

✅ All three dimming levels work

✅ Daylight sensor calibration

Budget $3,500–$5,000 for typical projects.

Pro Tip: Wireless controls eliminate wiring errors that cause test failures—faster commissioning, lower costs.

Why LAUSD Standardized on ILLUMRA

Los Angeles Unified School District—the second-largest school district in the U.S.—has made ILLUMRA's battery-free controls the district-wide standard across all buildings.

The Challenge

LAUSD needed Title 24 compliance across 1,000+ schools and 73 million square feet without:

  • Disrupting classes with major construction
  • Creating massive battery replacement costs
  • Expensive rewiring in aging buildings

The Solution

LAUSD deployed ILLUMRA's E9T-MDCCP Window/Door Sensors and E9T-HSM-2 HVAC Setback Module district-wide.

Why These Products?

✅ Battery-free operation – Energy harvesting eliminates maintenance

✅ Wireless installation – No conduit required

✅ Occupancy-based control – Auto shutoff for lights and HVAC

✅ Proven at scale – Trusted across thousands of classrooms

The Results

✅ Now the standard for all LAUSD buildings

✅ Full Title 24 compliance achieved

✅ 65% reduction in installation labor

✅ $50,000+ annual savings on battery maintenance eliminated

What this means for you: If ILLUMRA is trusted as the standard for one of America's largest school districts, it's proven to handle any Title 24 challenge.

Why Contractors Choose ILLUMRA for Title 24

✅ Eliminate rewiring – No conduit or wall penetrations

✅ 70% faster installation – Sensors install in minutes

✅ Never need batteries – Energy-harvesting technology

✅ Perfect for retrofits – Zero disruption in occupied buildings

✅ Meet all Title 24 requirements – Occupancy, dimming, daylight harvesting

✅ Lower total cost – No maintenance or battery budgets

✅ Proven at scale – District-wide standard at LAUSD

Featured Products for Title 24 Compliance:

  • E9T-MDCCP Solar Powered Window/Door Sensor – Battery-free occupancy detection
  • E9T-HSM-2 HVAC Setback Module– Switches HVAC system between on and a pre-configured setback mode.
  • E9T-OSC & E9T-OSH Occupancy Sensors – Turn off lights when a room is unoccupied
  • Wireless Kinetic Switches – Battery-free wall switches
  • E9T-LLS Daylight sensor– Reduce artificial lighting in a room when daylight is present.

Title 24 FAQ

What are the main Title 24 lighting requirements for 2024? Automatic occupancy controls (20-min shutoff), multi-level dimming (3 levels), daylight harvesting in naturally lit spaces, and mandatory acceptance testing.

Do I need acceptance testing? Yes, all Title 24 projects require testing by a certified Acceptance Test Technician to validate controls before final approval.

What's the difference between occupancy and vacancy sensors? Occupancy sensors auto-ON when motion is detected. Vacancy sensors require manual ON but auto-OFF when unoccupied. Both meet Title 24; vacancy sensors save more energy.

Why did LAUSD choose ILLUMRA? LAUSD standardized on ILLUMRA's E9T-MDCCP and E9T-HSM-2 because they're battery-free (eliminating maintenance), wireless (reducing installation costs), and proven reliable across 1,000+ schools.

Pass Your Title 24 Inspection the First Time

Don't let compliance issues delay your project.

ILLUMRA's battery-free wireless controls make Title 24 simple:

  • 70% faster installation
  • Zero maintenance costs
  • The district-wide standard at LAUSD
  • Trusted across California schools, hotels, and offices

Get Started

Free Resources:

  • E9T-MDCCP Data Sheet
  • E9T-HSM-2 Data Sheet
  • E9T-S1AWH Data Sheet
  • E9T-OSC/E9T-OSH Data Sheet

Next Steps:

Questions? Our team has helped thousands of California contractors achieve Title 24 compliance—from LAUSD's 1,000+ schools to major commercial projects statewide.

ILLUMRA's battery-free wireless controls are the district-wide standard at Los Angeles Unified School District. Our E9t-MDCCP and HSM-2 controllers deliver proven Title 24 compliance without ongoing maintenance costs.