Title 24 reports for Sunnyvale permits.
Sunnyvale’s air-conditioner rule is in the municipal code today and its CEC sign-off for the 2025 cycle is still in the queue — the city passed an ordinance in August 2026 for the sole purpose of shoring up the findings.
In force locally, still in the CEC queue
Ordinance 3244-25, adopted 8/26/2025 on a 7-0 vote, was approved by the CEC on 11/12/2025 against the 2022 Energy Code. The rule did not stop there: Ordinance 3248-25 repealed and re-enacted it under the 2025 code, and on 8/11/2026 Ordinance 3260-26 made supplemental findings, in the city’s own words, prior to the California Energy Commission’s review of the City’s local amendments to the Energy Code. The status: codified in SMC § 16.43.070 but not on the CEC’s approved list for the 2025 code. Sunnyvale adopted it in a sprint to beat AB 130’s October 1, 2025 restriction on local residential amendments.
What it does: replacing an air conditioner on an existing single-family dwelling in Climate Zone 4, which is all of Sunnyvale, means a heat pump as the primary heating source, or the full package — duct leakage at or under 10 percent, at least 300 CFM per ton, fan efficacy at or under 0.45 W/CFM, refrigerant charge verification, vented attic to R-49 and ceiling-plane air sealing. Two documented off-ramps exist, both filed before permit. So an AC change-out here is a paperwork job with HERS verification attached. The checklists want the compliance measures transcribed onto the title sheet, and window work has its own cliff at 75 square feet. First plan review is 21 days, resubmittal 14, and ADUs to 800 sf are a building permit only.
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.
Your first report with me
One per client, homes under 3,000 square feet. Full energy model, CF1R and CHEERS registration. It’s a test run — send one job and see how it goes.
Every model after the first
The standard rate once you’re a client — the second building, ADU plus main house, the next project that walks in. Back in 3 business days.
Over 3,000 square feet
Quoted from the plans before any work starts, same day.
24×36 plan-sheet set
Your CF1R laid out full size, matched to your drawing set. Comes back as a PDF you drop straight in.
Revisions
Two revisions included, plus questions any time. Past two I quote first, before I touch it.
Commercial / tenant improvement
Send the plans and you’ll have a flat quote back the same day. No deposit, no minimum.
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.
Sunnyvale plan-check questions
If yours isn’t here, see the full FAQ or call and ask.
Can I still put an air conditioner back into a Sunnyvale house?
What does Sunnyvale want transcribed onto the title sheet?
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.
How fast do I get it back?
24 to 48 hours on your first job, three business days for everything after that — a date you can put on the schedule, not an estimate. If your permit deadline is tighter than that, say so in the notes; I’ll tell you honestly whether I can hit it before you commit.
Send your Sunnyvale plans.
Change-out or new ADU, the CF1R comes back with the compliance measures ready to transcribe onto the title sheet and the HERS items listed where the city wants them.