California Title 24 & Title 31 Cool Roof Requirements
Understanding California's energy efficiency and fire safety roofing codes
California has some of the strictest building codes in the nation, designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce wildfire risk, and protect homeowners. If you're replacing your roof in California, you must comply with Title 24 (energy efficiency) and Title 31 (fire safety) requirements. At SoCal Wholesale Roofing, we ensure every roof we install meets or exceeds these standards.
What is California Title 24?
Title 24, Part 6 of the California Code of Regulations establishes mandatory energy efficiency standards for residential and commercial buildings. For roofing, Title 24 focuses on "cool roof" requirements—roofing materials that reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than standard roofing products.
Reduce Heat Absorption
Cool roofs reflect more solar energy, keeping your attic and home cooler during hot California summers.
Lower Energy Bills
By reducing heat gain, cool roofs decrease air conditioning costs by up to 15-20% in Southern California homes.
Environmental Benefits
Cool roofs reduce urban heat island effects, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improve air quality.
Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) Requirements
Title 24 uses the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) to measure a roof's ability to reflect solar heat. SRI is calculated using both solar reflectance (how much sunlight is reflected) and thermal emittance (how well the surface releases absorbed heat). Higher SRI values indicate cooler roofing materials.
Steep-Slope Roofs (Pitch ≥ 2:12)
Climate Zones 10-15:
Minimum SRI of 16
(Includes most of Southern California)
Climate Zones 1-9:
Minimum SRI of 20
(Northern CA and coastal areas)
Low-Slope Roofs (Pitch < 2:12)
All Climate Zones:
Minimum SRI of 75
(Low-slope/flat roofs have stricter requirements)
Good News for Homeowners: Most modern architectural asphalt shingles from major manufacturers (GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Malarkey) meet or exceed Title 24 SRI requirements for steep-slope roofs. We only install compliant products.
When Does Title 24 Apply?
✓ Title 24 Compliance Required:
- Complete roof replacement (tear-off and new roof)
- Re-roofing (overlay) covering more than 50% of the roof
- New construction projects
- Room additions requiring new roofing
✗ Exemptions (Title 24 Not Required):
- •Emergency repairs covering less than 10% of roof area
- •Minor repairs replacing individual damaged shingles
- •Historic buildings with designated status (case-by-case)
What is California Title 31?
Title 31 of the California Code of Regulations establishes fire safety standards for buildings located in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) fire hazard zones. These areas are at higher risk of wildfire exposure due to proximity to vegetation, forests, or grasslands.
Fire Hazard Severity Zones
CAL FIRE designates three fire hazard severity zones:
- Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ): Strictest requirements
- High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (HFHSZ): Moderate requirements
- Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone: Basic requirements
Title 31 Roofing Requirements
- Class A Fire Rating: All roofing materials must have Class A fire resistance (highest rating)
- Ignition-Resistant Construction: Eaves, soffits, and vents must resist ember intrusion
- Defensible Space: Homeowners must maintain vegetation clearance zones
Roofing Material Compliance Chart
| Material Type | Title 24 (SRI) | Title 31 (Fire Rating) | Compliant? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural Asphalt Shingles (Cool Colors) | SRI 20-30 | Class A | |
| Clay Tile | SRI 18-40 | Class A | |
| Concrete Tile | SRI 20-40 | Class A | |
| Metal Roofing (Light Colors) | SRI 25-80 | Class A | |
| Slate | SRI 20-40 | Class A |
All roofing materials we install meet or exceed Title 24 and Title 31 requirements for residential applications in California.
How We Ensure Compliance
Product Documentation
We provide manufacturers' technical data sheets showing SRI ratings, fire classifications, and code compliance for every product we install.
Inspector-Approved Materials
We only use roofing products pre-approved by California building departments and tested to meet or exceed Title 24 and Title 31 standards.
Fire Zone Verification
We check CAL FIRE maps to determine if your property is in a fire hazard severity zone and adjust material selections accordingly.
Permit Compliance
All Title 24 and Title 31 documentation is submitted with permit applications and verified during building inspections.
Fully Compliant California Roof Replacement
Get a new roof that meets all Title 24 energy efficiency and Title 31 fire safety requirements—with premium materials, expert installation, and wholesale pricing.