Title 24 Forms & Permit Resources
Which compliance forms your job needs, where to get the official versions, how CHEERS registration works, and where to pull permits across LA County. We link straight to the official sources, so you always get the current version.
Links last verified: October 2026Which Form Does My Job Need?
California’s Energy Code uses three kinds of residential forms: the CF1R (Certificate of Compliance) shows the design meets code, the CF2R (Certificate of Installation) is signed by the installer, and the CF3R (Certificate of Verification) is completed by the ECC / HERS rater after testing. Here’s how they line up for common jobs.
| Job type | Typical forms | Who fills it out | Registry or PDF? |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC, furnace or heat pump change-out (existing home) | CF1R-ALT-02-E (alterations to space conditioning systems), CF2R-MCH-01b-E plus the “-H” installation forms the CF1R calls for, then CF3R-MCH-20 (duct leakage), -23 (airflow), -25 (refrigerant charge) as required | CF1R: contractor or designer · CF2R: installing contractor · CF3R: ECC / HERS rater | Registered (ECC-Provider) |
| Duct replacement, alteration or extension | CF1R-ALT-02-E, CF2R-MCH-20-H, CF3R-MCH-20-H (duct leakage diagnostic test) | Contractor · installing contractor · ECC / HERS rater | Registered (ECC-Provider) |
| New home or new detached ADU | CF1R from performance software (or CF1R-NCB-01-E prescriptive), CF2R-ENV-21/22-H and CF3R-ENV-21/22-H (QII), CF2R/CF3R-MCH forms for ducts, airflow, fan efficacy, refrigerant charge and ventilation (MCH-27) | Energy consultant or designer · installers · ECC / HERS rater | Registered (ECC-Provider) |
| Addition of 1,000 sq ft or less that needs field verification | CF1R-ADD-01-E, plus the CF2R/CF3R forms for the measures it lists | Designer or contractor · installers · ECC / HERS rater | Registered (ECC-Provider) |
| Addition or alteration with no field verification | CF1R-ADD-02-E / CF2R-ADD-02-E (additions) or CF1R-ALT-05-E / CF2R-ALT-05-E (alterations) | Contractor, designer or owner-builder | Public fillable PDF |
| Pool or spa heater, single-family lighting | CF2R-PLB-03-E (pool and spa heating), CF2R-LTG-01-E (lighting) | Installing contractor | Public fillable PDF |
| Commercial / nonresidential HVAC | NRCC (compliance), NRCI (installation), NRCA mechanical acceptance tests, NRCV (field verification) | Designer · installer · certified Acceptance Test Technician · ECC rater | NRCC/NRCI/NRCV registered NRCA via ATTCP |
Typical examples under the 2025 Energy Code. The exact forms and tests depend on your climate zone and scope, and your CF1R and building department have the final word. “Registered” means the form is completed in an ECC-Provider registry such as CHEERS, not downloaded as a PDF.
Official Form Libraries
These are the California Energy Commission’s own form pages. We link to them rather than host copies so you always get the current version.
Registered Forms and What A-Class Delivers
When a job needs field verification, its compliance documents have to be registered with an approved ECC-Provider before the building department will accept them. The Energy Commission’s fillable PDFs only work for jobs with no field verification. Every form ending in “-H”, and every CF3R, is created inside the registry.
The CF1R comes from the designer or contractor and the CF2R from the installing contractor. Our part is the verification step:
- We test the measures your CF1R calls for, such as duct leakage, airflow, fan efficacy, refrigerant charge, QII and ventilation
- We register the results with CHEERS on the matching CF3R forms
- We send you the registered CF3R forms and the CHEERS Project Status Report for your final inspection
- If something doesn’t pass, we tell you what failed and retest once it’s fixed
- Need the full rundown? See CF-2R & CF-3R Forms and HERS Testing.
CHEERS Registry & Project Status Reports
The registry
CHEERS is the registry where residential compliance documents are registered in California. The Energy Commission approved CHEERS as an ECC-Provider for the 2025 code on November 12, 2025. Contractors register CF1R and CF2R forms there, and raters register CF3R forms after testing.
The Project Status Report (PSR)
The PSR is a one-page summary of your project, with a QR code and a green check for each verified measure. Once the rater updates the registry, you can download it from your CHEERS account. It gives the inspector a quick way to confirm testing is done, and we send it with your registered CF3Rs.
Look Up Your Climate Zone
Your climate zone helps decide which tests the Energy Code requires, and it should match the zone printed on your CF1R. The Energy Commission’s search tool looks it up by address. Zone boundaries don’t follow city lines, so check the address, not just the city.
Permit Desks by City
Building departments, permit portals and HVAC permit notes for 22 jurisdictions across LA County. Search by city to filter the list. Not sure who has jurisdiction? Unincorporated areas like Altadena go through LA County Public Works, while Hollywood and Pacific Palisades are part of the City of Los Angeles.
Rebuilding after the Eaton or Palisades fire? Rebuild permit centers, programs and testing are on our Fire Rebuild page.
AltadenaUnincorporated LA County · LA County Public Works
- DepartmentLA County Public Works, Building & Safety
- Building & Safety
- EPIC-LA online permits
- Express permits (incl. mechanical)
- Mechanical plan check
- Simple MEP permit guide (PDF)
- Altadena is not part of Pasadena. Permits and inspections go through LA County Public Works Building & Safety, which covers the unincorporated areas of the county.
- Express permits, including express mechanical, are applied for online only through EPIC-LA.
- Mechanical plan check is triggered for systems over 500,000 Btu/h and for A2L-refrigerant systems covered by the County’s residential A2L determination.
ArcadiaCity of Arcadia
- DepartmentDevelopment Services, Building Services
- AddressCity Hall, 240 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia, CA 91007
Beverly HillsCity of Beverly Hills
- DepartmentCommunity Development, Building & Safety
- Address455 N. Rexford Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210
BurbankCity of Burbank
- DepartmentCommunity Development, Building & Safety Division
- AddressCommunity Services Building, 150 N. Third St., Burbank, CA 91502
- Phone(818) 238-5220
- “HVAC changeout” and “Mechanical ducting” are Tier 1 simple permits you can pull online.
- Projects that need plan check go through electronic plan review (ProjectDox).
Culver CityCity of Culver City
- DepartmentPlanning & Development, Building Safety Division
- Address9770 Culver Blvd., 2nd Floor, Culver City, CA 90232
GlendaleCity of Glendale
- DepartmentCommunity Development, Building & Safety / Permit Services Center
- AddressMunicipal Services Building, 633 E. Broadway, Room 101, Glendale, CA 91206 (in-person appointments)
- Phone(818) 548-3200
- Development Services
- Applications & forms
- Permit guidance
- Online services
- Online permit portal (EnerGov)
- Building submittals are online only. “HVAC change outs” are listed as an online permit.
- C-20, B and A licensees and owner-builders can apply for a single-family mechanical permit.
HollywoodPart of the City of Los Angeles · LADBS
- DepartmentLos Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)
- AddressMetro office: 201 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
- Hollywood isn’t a separate city. Permits come from LADBS, the same as the rest of the City of Los Angeles. See the Los Angeles card for HVAC express permit details.
La Cañada FlintridgeCity of La Cañada Flintridge
- DepartmentBuilding & Safety
- Phone(818) 790-8651
- Apply through the City’s ConnectLCF online system. There is no combination permit; each trade permit is applied for separately.
- Mechanical permits need the City’s Energy, Mechanical and Plumbing Code Checklist.
- Counter hours: Mon–Thu 7:30–11 am, Fri 8–11 am.
- The whole city is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
LancasterCity of Lancaster
- DepartmentDevelopment Services, Building & Safety
- Address44933 Fern Ave., Lancaster, CA 93534
- Since September 1, 2025, residential mechanical (HVAC) and reroof permits go through Symbium.
Long BeachCity of Long Beach
- DepartmentCommunity Development, Building & Safety Permit Center
- Address411 W. Ocean Blvd., 2nd Floor, Long Beach, CA 90802
- Express mechanical permits cover like-for-like HVAC replacement (M1) and small additions or relocations (M2).
- IB-058 notes that HERS verification is required for heating, A/C and HVAC change-outs and for more than 40 linear feet of new or replaced ductwork, that a computer-generated CF1R is needed before verification, and that documents must be registered for final.
Los Angeles (City)LADBS · includes Hollywood, the Valley, Westside and Pacific Palisades
- DepartmentLos Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)
- AddressMetro: 201 & 221 N. Figueroa St. · Van Nuys: 6262 Van Nuys Blvd. · West LA: 1828 Sawtelle Blvd. · South LA: 8475 S. Vermont Ave. · San Pedro: 638 S. Beacon St.
- LADBS home
- Express Permits
- Mechanical / HVAC permits
- Express permit bulletin (PDF)
- PermitLA (express permits online)
- ePlanLA (plan check)
- Office locations
- Express Permits cover common HVAC work with no plan check: replacing A/C units with the same size and type, adding A/C up to 5 tons, gas furnaces and comfort heating/cooling under 500,000 Btu/h, and duct alterations in buildings without smoke control.
- Plan check is required for mechanical systems of 500,000 Btu/h and over, among other cases.
MalibuCity of Malibu
- DepartmentCommunity Development, Building Safety Division
- AddressCity Hall, 23825 Stuart Ranch Rd., Malibu, CA 90265
Pacific PalisadesPart of the City of Los Angeles · LADBS
- DepartmentLos Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)
- AddressWest LA office: 1828 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
- Pacific Palisades is in the City of Los Angeles, so permits come from LADBS, not LA County or Malibu. See the Los Angeles card for HVAC express permit details.
PalmdaleCity of Palmdale
- DepartmentBuilding & Safety
- Address38300 Sierra Hwy., Palmdale, CA 93550
PasadenaCity of Pasadena
- DepartmentPlanning & Community Development, Building & Safety Division (Permit Center)
- Address175 N. Garfield Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101
- Phone(626) 744-4200
- Building & Safety
- Permit Center
- Applications & forms
- Permit Center Online
- Online permit portal (EnerGov)
- Permit Center Online includes an Express Permit Portal for mechanical, electrical and plumbing permits.
- Contractors pulling permits need a City of Pasadena business license. The Permit Center is open Mon–Thu and alternate Fridays, 8:30 am–3 pm.
PomonaCity of Pomona
- DepartmentDevelopment Services, Building & Safety Division
- AddressCity Hall, 505 S. Garey Ave., Pomona, CA 91766
- The forms page includes a Mechanical Permit application and an Energy Code requirements handout.
Santa ClaritaCity of Santa Clarita
- DepartmentBuilding & Safety
- Address23920 Valencia Blvd., Suite 140, Santa Clarita, CA 91355
- As of May 1, 2026, instant mechanical, electrical and plumbing permits are issued through Symbium.
Santa MonicaCity of Santa Monica
- DepartmentBuilding & Safety, Permit Services Center
- Address1685 Main St. (south entrance, from Olympic Dr.), Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Permit Services Center
- Plan review
- Permit application types
- Same-day review at the counter
- Online permits (Accela)
- Electronic plan check (ProjectDox)
- Mechanical work is applied for on a Single-Trade application, and mechanical installations can qualify for Same-Day Review.
Sierra MadreCity of Sierra Madre
- DepartmentBuilding & Safety
- Address232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024
- All permit applications go through the Accela Citizen Portal.
South PasadenaCity of South Pasadena
- DepartmentCommunity Development, Building Division
- Address1414 Mission St., South Pasadena, CA 91030
TorranceCity of Torrance
- DepartmentCommunity Development, Building & Safety
- Address3031 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503
- Trade work, including mechanical, needs its own permit application.
West HollywoodCity of West Hollywood
- DepartmentCommunity Development, Building & Safety Division
- AddressCity Hall, 8300 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
- A mechanical permit is required to install, alter or repair HVAC equipment.
No match. Try another spelling, or call us and we’ll point you to the right desk.
Forms & Permit Questions
Can I download a CF3R form from the Energy Commission website?
Not one you can use for a job that needs field verification. Forms ending in “-H”, including every CF3R, have to be completed and registered in an ECC-Provider’s registry such as CHEERS. The fillable PDFs on the Energy Commission’s site are only for work that doesn’t need field verification.
Why don’t you post copies of the forms on this page?
The Energy Commission updates its forms, and registered forms are generated inside the registry. Linking straight to the official libraries means you always get the current version, not a stale copy.
Which code cycle applies to my permit: 2022 or 2025?
It depends on when the permit application was submitted. The 2025 Energy Code applies to applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026, and those projects use ECC forms. Earlier applications stay on the 2022 forms. We’re certified for both.
What is a CHEERS Project Status Report?
It’s a one-page summary of a registered project, with a QR code and a green check for each verified measure. Once your rater updates the registry, you can download it from your CHEERS account. It gives the inspector a quick way to confirm testing is done, and we send it along with the registered CF3R forms.
Our forms were registered with CalCERTS. What happens now?
CalCERTS stopped operating as a HERS provider on August 2, 2024, and access to its registry ended on September 2, 2024. Since September 3, 2024, building departments can only accept compliance documents registered with CHEERS, and open single-family projects had to be re-registered there. If you have an open project that was started in CalCERTS, call us and we’ll help sort out what needs to be registered.
How do I find my climate zone?
Use the Energy Commission’s climate zone search tool. It looks up a building’s zone by address, and the climate zone should match what’s printed on your CF1R. Most of the LA basin and San Gabriel Valley is Climate Zone 9, but don’t assume: zone boundaries don’t follow city lines.
Which permit desk handles Hollywood or Altadena?
Hollywood is part of the City of Los Angeles, so LADBS issues the permits. Altadena is unincorporated LA County, so permits go through LA County Public Works Building & Safety, not the City of Pasadena. Pacific Palisades is also in the City of Los Angeles and goes through LADBS.
Does an HVAC change-out need a permit?
In the jurisdictions on this page, yes. Replacing heating or cooling equipment is mechanical permit work. Many of them, including Los Angeles, Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, Long Beach and LA County, offer an express or online permit for straightforward change-outs. The permit’s CF1R then decides which tests a rater has to verify before final.
Have the Forms. Need the Testing?
Call with the address and the scope, or send us your CF1R. We’ll tell you exactly which tests it calls for, then test, register with CHEERS and send your paperwork.