Los Angeles Municipal Code § 99.04.201 GENERAL.
SEC. 99.04.201. GENERAL.
99.04.201.1. Scope. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) The provisions of this division shall establish means of conserving energy.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Los Angeles Municipal Code ch. IX, art. 9, div. 4, pt. ENERGY EFFICIENCY
in effectLos Angeles Municipal Code § 99.04.211 RENEWABLE ENERGY.
SEC. 99.04.211. RENEWABLE ENERGY.
(Amended by Ord. No. 184,692, Eff. 12/30/16.)
99.04.211.4. Solar Ready Buildings. Buildings shall comply with the following:
1. All one- and two-family dwellings shall comply with Sections 110.10(b)1A, 110.10(b)2, 110.10(b)3, 110.10(b)4, 110.10(c), 110.10(d) and 110.10(e) of the California Energy Code (CCR, Title 24, Part 6).
2. All buildings, other than one- and two-family dwellings, shall comply with Sections 110.10(b) through 110.10(d) of the California Energy Code (CCR, Title 24, Part 6).
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Additions having less than 2,000 sq. ft. of new roof area.
2. Alterations.
Los Angeles Municipal Code § 99.04.303 INDOOR WATER USE.
SEC. 99.04.303. INDOOR WATER USE.
(Amended by Ord. No. 187,719, Eff. 1/23/23.)
99.04.303.4. Water Use Reduction. (Added by Ord. No. 184,246, Eff. 6/6/16.) A 20 percent reduction in the overall use of potable water within the building shall be provided. The reduction shall be based on the maximum allowable water use per plumbing fixture and fittings as required by the Los Angeles Building Standards. The 20 percent reduction in potable water use shall be demonstrated by the following method:
99.04.303.4.1. Performance Method. A calculation demonstrating a 20% reduction in the building "water use baseline", as established in LAMC Table 99.04.303.4.1, shall be provided.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Projects with plumbing fixtures and fittings that comply with the maximum flow rate values in LAMC Table 99.04.303.4.2.
2. Additions and alterations to buildings where the new fixtures and fittings comply with the maximum flow rate values in LAMC Table 99.04.303.4.2.
3. Buildings utilizing recycled water in accordance with LAMC Subsection 99.04.305.2.
4. Replacement of plumbing fixtures and fittings.
TABLE 99.04.303.4.1
WATER USE BASELINE 4
(Amended by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.)
FIXTURE TYPE | BASELINE FLOW RATE | DURATION | DAILY USES | OCCUPANTS 2
Showerheads | 1.8 gpm @ 80 psi | 8 min. | 1 | X 2a
Lavatory Faucets, Residential | 1.2 gpm @ 60 psi | .25 min. | 3 | X
Lavatory Faucets, Common/Public Uses | 0.5 gpm @ 60 psi | .25 min. | 3 | X
Kitchen Faucets | 1.8 gpm @ 60 psi | 4 min. | 1 | X 2b
Replacement Aerators | 2.2 gpm | | |
Metering Faucets | 0.20 gallons/cycle | | 3 | X
Water Closets | 1.28 gallons/flush | 1 flush | 1 male 1 3 female | X
Urinals | 0.125 gallons/flush | 1 flush | 2 male | X
Fixture "Water Use" = Flow rate × Duration × Occupants × Daily uses
1. The daily use number shall be increased to three if urinals are not installed in the room.
2. Refer to Table 4-1, Chapter 4 of the California Plumbing Code, for occupant load factors.
a. Shower use by occupants depends on the type of use of a building or portion of a building. For example, the total occupant load for a health club, but only a fraction of the occupants in an office building as determined by the anticipated number of users.
b. Kitchen faucet use is determined by the occupant load of the area served by the fixture.
3. Floor-mounted urinals @ 0.5 GPF or wall-mounted urinals @ 0.125 GPF.
4. Use Worksheet WS-1 of the CALGreen Code to calculate baseline water.
TABLE 99.04.303.4.2
WATER REDUCTION FIXTURE FLOW RATES
FIXTURE TYPE | MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE FLOW RATE
Kitchen Faucets* | 1.5 gpm @ 60 psi
Clothes Washers | ENERGY-STAR certified
Dishwashers | ENERGY-STAR certified
*Kitchen faucets may temporarily increase the flow to 2.2 gpm at 60 psi, and must default to 1.5 gpm at 60 psi. This requirement does not apply to a faucet in commercial kitchens or in buildings that have water closets with a maximum flush rate of 1.06 gpf installed throughout.
Los Angeles Municipal Code § 99.04.304 OUTDOOR WATER USE.
SEC. 99.04.304. OUTDOOR WATER USE.
(Amended by Ord. No. 186,488, Eff. 12/27/19.)
99.04.304.3. Metering Outdoor Water Use. A landscape water meter provided by the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power shall be installed for landscape irrigation for the following:
1. New construction projects, as defined by the California Department of Water Resources Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, with aggregate landscape area over 500 square feet.
2. When required by the California Department of Water Resources Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
3. Additions and alterations, with a valuation of $200,000 or more, where the entire potable water system is replaced, including all underground piping to the existing meter.
99.04.304.4. Exterior Faucets. Locks shall be installed on all publicly accessible exterior faucets and hose bibs.
EXCEPTION: Single family dwellings.
99.04.304.5. Swimming Pool Covers. For one- and two-family dwellings, any permanently installed outdoor in-ground swimming pool or spa shall be equipped with a cover having a manual or power-operated reel system. For irregular-shaped pools where it is infeasible to cover 100 percent of the pool due to its irregular shape, a minimum of 80 percent of the pool shall be covered.
EXCEPTION: Additions or alterations to existing swimming pools and spas with a building valuation not exceeding $25,000.
Note: Safety pool covers installed pursuant to the exception to LAMC Subsection 91.3109.4 shall meet the requirements of ASTM F 1346. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.)
Los Angeles Municipal Code § 99.04.305 WATER REUSE SYSTEMS.
SEC. 99.04.305. WATER REUSE SYSTEMS.
(Added by Ord. No. 184,246, Eff. 6/6/16.)
99.04.305.1. Recycled Water Supply to Fixtures. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,488, Eff. 12/27/19.) When City-recycled water is available for use within 200 feet of the property line, 100 percent of water for water closets, urinals, floor drains, and process cooling and heating in that building shall come from City-recycled water. Recycled water systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with the Los Angeles Plumbing Code.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Additions that use any part of the existing plumbing system.
2. Alterations that do not include replacing all of the potable water piping.
3. Where City-recycled water quality has been deemed non-suitable for a particular fixture or equipment, connection to the City is not required. The fixture and/or equipment shall be dual-plumbed to allow for future connection.
99.04.305.2. Graywater Ready. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,488, Eff. 12/27/19.) Waste piping shall be arranged to permit the discharge from the clothes washer, bathtub, showers and bathroom/restroom washbasins to be used for a future graywater irrigation system(s). The flow from the fixtures shall be piped separately, and, at a minimum, be adequate to supply the irrigation demand as determined by the California Department of Water Resources' Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). The point(s) of connection between graywater piping and other waste piping shall be accessible (as defined in LAMC Section 99.02.202) and provided with signage that is satisfactory to the Department.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Buildings with a graywater, rainwater harvesting, or other water reuse system.
2. Sites with landscape areas not exceeding 500 square feet.
3. Projects where graywater systems are not permitted due to geological conditions.
4. Additions and alterations that use the existing building drain.
99.04.305.3. Cooling Towers [N]. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) Cooling towers shall comply with LAMC Subdivision 99.04.305.3.1 or 99.04.305.3.2.
99.04.305.3.1. Buildings 25 Stories or Less. Buildings of 25 stories or less shall comply with one of the following:
1. Cooling towers shall have a minimum of 6 cycles of concentration (blowdown); or
2. A minimum of 50 percent of makeup water supply to cooling towers shall come from non-potable water sources, including treated backwash.
99.04.305.3.2. Buildings Over 25 Stories. Buildings over 25 stories shall comply with all of the following:
1. Cooling towers shall have a minimum of 6 cycles of concentration (blowdown); and
2. 100 percent of makeup water supply to cooling towers shall come from non-potable water sources, including treated backwash.
EXCEPTION: Where the amount of graywater produced by the plumbing system is insufficient to meet the total makeup water demand, as determined by the Department, potable water can be used to compensate for the deficiency.
99.04.305.4. Groundwater Discharge [N]. Where groundwater is being extracted and discharged, a system for onsite reuse of the groundwater shall be developed and constructed. Alternatively, the groundwater may be discharged to the sewer.
Los Angeles Municipal Code § 99.04.407 WATER RESISTANCE AND MOISTURE MANAGEMENT.
SEC. 99.04.407. WATER RESISTANCE AND MOISTURE MANAGEMENT.
99.04.407.3. Flashing Details. Provide flashing details on the building plans which comply with accepted industry standards or manufacturer’s instructions at the following locations:
1. Around windows and doors;
2. Roof valleys;
3. Chimneys to roof intersections.
99.04.407.4. Material Protection. Protect building materials delivered to the construction site from rain and other sources of moisture.
Los Angeles Municipal Code § 99.04.408 CONSTRUCTION WASTE REDUCTION, DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING.
SEC. 99.04.408. CONSTRUCTION WASTE REDUCTION, DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING.
(Amended by Ord. No. 184,692, Eff. 12/30/16.)
99.04.408.1. Construction Waste Management. Comply with LAMC Section 66.32, et seq., of the Los Angeles Municipal Code.
Los Angeles Municipal Code § 99.04.504 POLLUTANT CONTROL
SEC. 99.04.504. POLLUTANT CONTROL
(Amended by Ord. No. 186,486, Eff. 1/28/20.)
99.04.504.6. Filters. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,719, Eff. 1/23/23.) Mechanically ventilated buildings shall meet the air filtration requirements of the California Energy Code.
Tables 4.504.1, 4.504.2, and 4.504.3 of the California Green Building Standards Code, Title 24, Part 11 are not adopted. The following tables shall apply instead:
TABLE 99.04.504.1
ADHESIVE VOC LIMIT 1, 2
Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds in Grams per Liter
(Amended by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.)
ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATIONS | VOC LIMIT
Indoor carpet adhesives | 50
Carpet pad adhesives | 50
Outdoor carpet adhesives | 150
Wood flooring adhesives | 100
Rubber floor adhesives | 60
Subfloor adhesives | 50
Ceramic tile adhesives | 65
VCT and asphalt tile adhesives | 50
Drywall and panel adhesives | 50
Cove base adhesives | 50
Multipurpose construction adhesives | 70
Structural glazing adhesives | 100
Single-ply roof membrane adhesives | 250
Other adhesives not specifically listed | 250
SPECIALTY APPLICATIONS | VOC LIMIT
PVC welding | 510
CPVC welding | 490
ABS welding | 325
Plastic cement welding | 100
Adhesive primer for plastic | 550
Contact adhesive | 80
Special purpose contact adhesive | 250
Structural wood member adhesive | 140
Top and trim adhesive | 540
SUBSTRATE SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS | VOC LIMIT
Metal to metal | 30
Plastic foams | 50
Porous material (except wood) | 50
Wood | 30
Fiberglass | 80
1. If an adhesive is used to bond dissimilar substrates together, the adhesive with the highest VOC content shall be allowed.
2. For additional information regarding methods to measure the VOC content specified in this table, see South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1168.
TABLE 99.04.504.2
SEALANT VOC LIMIT
Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds in Grams per Liter
(Amended by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.)
SEALANTS | VOC LIMIT
Architectural | 50
Marine deck | 760
Non-membrane roof | 300
Roadway | 250
Single-ply roof membrane | 450
Other | 420
SEALANT PRIMERS | VOC LIMIT
Architectural |
Nonporous | 250
Porous | 775
Modified bituminous | 500
Marine deck | 760
Other | 750
TABLE 99.04.504.3
VOC CONTENT LIMITS FOR ARCHITECTURAL COATINGS 2, 3
Grams of VOC per Liter of Coating Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds
(Amended by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.)
COATING CATEGORY | VOC LIMIT
Flat coatings | 50
Nonflat coatings | 50
Nonflat-high gloss coatings | 50
SPECIALTY COATINGS | VOC LIMIT
Aluminum roof coatings | 100
Basement specialty coatings | 400
Bituminous roof coatings | 50
Bituminous roof primers | 350
Bond breakers | 350
Concrete curing compounds | 100
Concrete curing compounds, Roadways & Bridges | 350
Concrete/masonry sealers | 100
Driveway sealers | 50
Dry fog coatings | 50
Faux finishing coatings |
Clear Top Coat | 100
Decorative Coatings | 350
Glazes | 350
Japan | 350
Trowel Applied Coatings | 50
Fire resistive coatings | 150
Floor coatings | 50
Form-release compounds | 100
Graphic arts coatings (sign paints) | 200
High temperature coatings | 420
Industrial maintenance coatings | 100
Low solids coatings 1 | 120
Magnesite cement coatings | 450
Mastic texture coatings | 100
Metallic pigmented coatings | 150
Multicolor coatings | 250
Pretreatment wash primers | 420
Primers, sealers, and undercoaters | 100
Reactive penetrating sealers | 350
Recycled coatings | 250
Roof coatings | 50
Roof coatings, aluminum | 100
Rust preventative coatings | 100
Shellacs |
Clear | 730
Opaque | 550
Specialty primers, sealers and undercoaters | 100
Stains | 100
Stains, Interior | 250
Stone consolidants | 450
Swimming pool coatings | 340
Traffic marking coatings | 100
Tub and tile refinish coatings | 420
Waterproofing membranes | 100
Wood coatings | 275
Wood preservatives | 350
Zinc-rich primers | 100
1. Grams of VOC per liter of coating, including water and including exempt compounds.
2. The specified limits remain in effect unless revised limits are listed in subsequent columns in the table.
3. Values in this table are derived from those specified by the South Coast Air Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1113. More information is available from the SCAQMD.
Source: City of Los Angeles, Charter and Codes (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/los_angeles/latest/lamc/0-0-0-214880Fetched: 10/24/2026