Title 24 reports for Santee and La Mesa permits.
Santee’s extra energy requirements are not in its building code and not on any Energy Commission list — they are in the zoning code. La Mesa, the other East County city on this page, has none, and sits a whole climate zone away.
The extra requirements are in the zoning code
Santee writes its own climate zone into law: SMC 13.10.040(J)(1) sets energy efficiency by the California Energy Code for Climate Zone 10 in which the City is located. Two subsections later the same chapter adds real work: all new residential units, including accessory dwelling units, shall meet or exceed CALGreen Tier 2 Voluntary Measures, and a new house or detached ADU carries at least 2 kW of PV. This is a CALGreen and zoning overlay, not a Part 6 amendment — which is why it is on no CEC list, either cycle. The plan set has to show it: a CALGreen Tier 2 sheet, a signed Title 24 report inside the set, and plot-plan blocks for special features and HERS verification.
La Mesa adds nothing: LMMC 14.15.010 adopts the 2025 Energy Code by reference in one section, no amendments, Ord. 2025-2923 of December 9, 2025. It is Climate Zone 7 where Santee is Climate Zone 10, and unlike Santee it publishes no zone at all. Its pre-approved ADU page is blunt about what the free plans leave out: energy calculations are needed for all projects, a soils report only over 500 square feet. The published 224 sf studio set shows why — the special features, HERS summary and both verification blocks print as empty rectangles, PV is a deferred submittal that must be finalled before the ADU is, and the owner releases the City and the architect who drew it. Even a heating or air conditioning change-out here needs a completed California State Energy Efficiency Standards form.
One thing that doesn’t change by city: my price and turnaround are flat statewide — $99 first report, $150 flat after, 24–48 hours on your first job. What differs city to city is what happens on the plan-check side before and after the CF1R lands in your permit set, which is what this page covers.
Prices
Flat fees, in writing before I start. No hourly, no bid package, no change-order games — the number on the quote is the number on the invoice.
One honest note
I’m not a licensed engineer or architect, and I don’t stamp drawings. On the CF1R I’m the documentation author — you stay the responsible designer. Nothing about your role on the job changes.
That’s on purpose. I’m not after your scope or your clients. I do one piece of the permit set — the piece that usually holds it up — and I do it fast.
Santee & La Mesa plan-check questions
If yours isn’t here, see the full FAQ or call and ask.
What submittal clock does Santee run, and what does La Mesa run?
Why doesn’t any state list show Santee’s extra energy requirements?
Does the project need HERS field verification?
Sometimes — typically for duct leakage, refrigerant charge, or certain heat-pump and quality-insulation measures. The CF1R lists exactly which measures need it, and I’ll flag it in the email so it isn’t a surprise at inspection. The field testing itself is done by a third-party HERS rater the owner or contractor hires; that’s outside what I do.
Does my ADU or addition actually need one?
Almost certainly. New conditioned floor area — ADUs, JADUs, garage conversions, additions — triggers Title 24. So do alterations that touch the envelope, the ductwork, or the HVAC equipment, including a straight change-out. A remodel that only moves non-structural interior partitions usually doesn’t.
Send it either way. If it doesn’t need a report I’ll say so and there’s no charge for the look.
Send your Santee or La Mesa plans.
Name the city and I set the zone with it — Zone 10 with Santee’s Tier 2 and PV minimum accounted for, or Zone 7 with the CF1R blocks a La Mesa pre-approved set leaves blank filled in.