El Monte is in California climate zone 9, and its Building Division wants the Title 24 report printed on the first two sheets of your plans. We prepare that report (the CF1R) for El Monte ADUs, garage conversions, additions and new homes.
What climate zone is El Monte in?
Climate zone 9. On the California Energy Commission's ZIP code list, all three main El Monte ZIP codes are zone 9:
- 91731
- 91732
- 91733
El Monte sits entirely in one zone, so there is no zone-line question to settle here.
Which code cycle does El Monte use?
The 2025 cycle. El Monte's Building & Safety page says: "All projects submitted for permit application on or after January 1, 2026, must be designed in conformance with the new 2025 California Building Codes." The city lists those codes together with the 2026 County of Los Angeles amendments.
For the energy report, that means the 2025 California Energy Code. The page also says permit applications submitted before January 1, 2026 that remain active may stay on the earlier code, as long as the plan check does not expire.
Who reviews building plans in El Monte?
The Building Division, part of the Economic Development Department. It works out of City Hall West, 11333 Valley Boulevard. Its phone number on the handout is (626) 580-2050.
How do I submit plans in El Monte?
Online, only for simple permits. El Monte's "Apply for Permits" page says the online portal is "available for the following work only." It lists panel service upgrades, same-location water heater change-outs, and (marked "coming soon") wall heater change-outs and reroofs. ADUs, additions and new homes are not on that list.
Plan check, on paper. The city's Plan Check Submittal Requirements handout says:
- Get Planning Department approval before submitting to the Building Division.
- Submit three complete sets of plans for plan check.
- Include extra sets when other departments are involved, to speed things up.
Check with the Building Division before you go, in case the process has changed since the handout was published.
How does El Monte want the Title 24 report shown?
The same handout is specific about energy documents:
- Energy compliance documentation must be submitted "whenever there is a change to the 'conditioned' space."
- Energy compliance documents "shall be incorporated in the first two sheets of the plans."
- "No tape or stable attachment will be accepted."
In practice, that means printing the CF1R as full-size plan sheets at the front of the set. Our reports come as sheets that drop into your plan set.
What will my El Monte ADU's report need?
The answer depends on the type of ADU, not the city. Under the 2025 Energy Code:
- A new detached ADU is treated as a new home and usually needs new solar PV.
- An attached ADU or garage conversion is an addition and does not need solar.
- An ADU or JADU inside space that is already conditioned is an alteration.
Climate zone 9 is outside the zones (10-15) where cool roof rules apply to steep-sloped roofs on additions. See Title 24 for ADUs for the full breakdown.
Will I need an ECC (HERS) rater in El Monte?
Probably, if you are installing a new mini-split or building a new ADU. Refrigerant charge verification is required for heat pumps in every climate zone, including zone 9. Your CF1R lists the tests. See ECC rater testing for ADUs.
Need a report for an El Monte project? See our flat prices.
Frequently asked questions
What climate zone is El Monte in?
Climate zone 9. Every El Monte ZIP code (91731, 91732 and 91733) is in zone 9 on the California Energy Commission's ZIP code list.
Which code applies to El Monte permits now?
El Monte's Building & Safety page says projects submitted for permit on or after January 1, 2026 must follow the 2025 California Building Codes, including the 2026 County of Los Angeles amendments. For energy, that means the 2025 California Energy Code.
Can I submit ADU plans online in El Monte?
El Monte's online permit portal lists only a few simple permits, such as panel upgrades and same-location water heater change-outs. The city's plan check handout asks for three complete sets of plans.
Where does the Title 24 report go on El Monte plans?
The city's plan check submittal handout says energy compliance documents must be incorporated in the first two sheets of the plans, and no tape or staple attachment is accepted.
Related
Sources
- energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/building-energy-efficiency-standards/climate-zone-tool-maps-and
- energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/BuildingClimateZonesByZIPCode_ada.xlsx
- elmonteca.gov/224/Building-Safety
- elmonteca.gov/711/Apply-for-Permits
- elmonteca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2804/Plan-Check-Submittal-Requirements--10-24
- energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/building-energy-efficiency-standards/energy-code-support-center-6/2025