Palmdale is in California climate zone 14, which brings a few energy rules that most of Los Angeles County does not have. Palmdale takes permit applications through the Accela Citizen Portal and reviews plans electronically. We prepare the Title 24 report (the CF1R) for Palmdale ADUs, garage conversions, additions and new homes.
What climate zone is Palmdale in?
Climate zone 14. On the California Energy Commission's ZIP code list, every Palmdale ZIP code we checked is zone 14:
- 93550
- 93551
- 93552
Most Los Angeles County cities on our site are in zones 6, 8 or 9, so check that any report or plan template you reuse was built for zone 14.
Which code cycle does Palmdale use?
The 2025 cycle. Palmdale's Bulletin 25-001 says: "Projects submitted after December 31, 2025, at 5 pm will be subject to review under the new 2025 California Building Standards Code and local amendments." The bulletin gives January 1, 2026 as the effective date.
For the energy report, that means the 2025 California Energy Code.
Who reviews building plans in Palmdale?
Building & Safety, part of the Economic & Community Development department. It is at 38250 Sierra Highway, Palmdale, CA 93550. The phone number on its page is 661-267-5353.
How do I submit plans in Palmdale?
Online. Palmdale's Building & Safety page says:
- "All permit applications are submitted via the Accela Citizen Portal."
- "All plan reviews are completed electronically using DigEplan."
- Plan check questions go to PlanReview@cityofpalmdaleca.gov.
Upload the Title 24 report with the rest of your construction documents.
How do ADUs work in Palmdale?
Planning comes first. Palmdale's Standard ADU Plans page says applicants create an Accela account and apply for a Zoning Clearance Review. Applications "will be reviewed and approved by the Planning Division first, then will be able to proceed with the Building and Safety Division."
Palmdale also offers standard ADU plans. They are conceptual drawings, not construction-ready plans. The city says applicants using one must work with designers to provide "architectural plans, structural plans and calculations, Title 24 compliance, and all required construction documents." So a standard plan still needs its own Title 24 report for your lot.
What changes in climate zone 14?
A few Energy Code rules apply in zone 14 that do not apply in zones 6, 8 or 9:
- Cool roofs on steep-sloped roofs. New homes in zones 10 through 15 need roofing with an aged solar reflectance of at least 0.20 and a thermal emittance of at least 0.75, or an SRI of at least 16 (Section 150.1(c)11). Additions must meet the same rule unless they are 300 square feet or less, per the CEC's ADU FAQ.
- Refrigerant charge on ducted air conditioners. The 2025 Single-Family Compliance Manual says an ECC rater must verify charge on ducted air conditioners in zones 2 and 8 through 15. Heat pumps, including mini-splits, need it in every zone.
- Different solar factors. Table 150.1-C gives zone 14 a floor-area factor of 0.741 and a per-unit factor of 1.26. Those feed the equation that sizes the PV system on a new detached ADU or home.
See Does my ADU need solar? for how the size is figured and when no PV is required.
What will my Palmdale ADU's report need?
The type of ADU sets most of the rules:
- 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.
See Title 24 for ADUs for the full breakdown.
Need a report for a Palmdale project? See our flat prices.
Frequently asked questions
What climate zone is Palmdale in?
Climate zone 14. Palmdale's ZIP codes, including 93550, 93551 and 93552, are all zone 14 on the California Energy Commission's ZIP code list.
Which code applies to Palmdale permits now?
Palmdale's Bulletin 25-001 says projects submitted after December 31, 2025 at 5 pm are reviewed under the 2025 California Building Standards Code and local amendments. For energy, that is the 2025 California Energy Code.
How do I submit plans in Palmdale?
Online. Palmdale's Building & Safety page says all permit applications are submitted through the Accela Citizen Portal, and all plan reviews are done electronically in DigEplan.
Do Palmdale's standard ADU plans include a Title 24 report?
No. The city says applicants using a preapproved design must work with designers to provide architectural and structural plans, Title 24 compliance and all other construction documents.
Does a new home or addition in Palmdale need a cool roof?
Usually, for steep-sloped roofs. Climate zone 14 is one of the zones (10 through 15) where the prescriptive rules require a cool roof on steep-sloped roofs of new homes and of additions over 300 square feet.
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
- cityofpalmdaleca.gov/152/Building-Safety
- cityofpalmdaleca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18747/Bulletin-25001-Notice-of-Intent-to-Adopt-2025-CA-Building-Code
- cityofpalmdaleca.gov/1351/Standard-ADU-Plans
- energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2026-07/CEC-400-2025-010-F.pdf
- energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/building-energy-efficiency-standards/energy-code-support-center-6/2025