What Builders Should Know About California’s New Water Regulations

Understanding CalGreen Standards

As one of the world’s largest economies, California sets the tone for sustainable construction nationwide. Builders should ensure every project meets these standards to remain competitive in this market. CalGreen, the California Green Building Standards Code, is part of the state’s broader building code focused on sustainability and water conservation. This code sets the foundation for water conservation in California, ensuring that every new project contributes to statewide efficiency goals through carefully regulated plumbing to reduce the strain on California’s limited water supply. These standards include limiting lavatory faucets to 1.2 gallons per minute (GPM) at 60 psi, and limiting both kitchen faucets and showerheads to a maximum of 1.8 GPM at 80 psi, with the option for kitchen faucets to temporarily boost up to 2.2 GPM for tasks like filling and cleaning pots. These flow limits conserve water in daily use while maintaining consistent pressure and usability.

Two Calgreen Paths

CalGreen offers two compliance options: prescriptive and performance. The prescriptive path involves installing fixtures that meet flow rate limits, such as the Olympia Accent Two Handle Bathroom Faucet L-7242, which operates at 1.2 GPM and qualifies for CalGreen certification. Most projects achieve compliance through the prescriptive path by using certified low-flow fixtures and maintaining documentation for inspections and permits. 

Performance compliance is often used for remodels of existing structures. Performance compliance requires builders to demonstrate a 20 percent overall reduction of indoor water use through alternative methods, such as graywater systems or retrofitting with more efficient fixtures. Every compliant faucet and showerhead makes a measurable difference, saving thousands of gallons of water and reducing utility costs without compromising daily performance. For builders, CalGreen compliance starts at the planning table. Selecting certified, low-flow faucets and showerheads from a trusted brand like Pioneer makes compliance effortless and ensures performance meets expectations. Documenting model numbers, flow rates, and certifications early in the submittal package streamlines permit review and field inspections.

Title-20 Appliance Efficiency Standards and Regulations

While CalGreen establishes the foundation for efficient water use in building design, California’s Title 20 standards take these requirements one step further by regulating the efficiency of the products themselves. Title 20, enforced by the California Energy Commission (CEC), requires that all faucets, showerheads, and plumbing fixtures meet state efficiency standards before they can be sold in California. Fixtures sold in California must meet CalGreen flow-rate and efficiency standards and be tested, certified, and listed in the CEC’s Modernized Appliance Efficiency Database System (MAEDbS) before sale or installation. Showerheads like the Olympia i1 Single Handle Tub/Shower Trim Set T-2334 have been tested and certified to meet the efficiency and water pressure standards required under CalGreen and Title 20, all without sacrificing comfort or performance. 

What These Regulations Mean for Builders

These requirements affect project schedules, budgets, and procurement, so early coordination among designers, contractors, and suppliers is critical. California’s water efficiency regulations are reshaping how builders plan and execute plumbing installations both inside and outside of California. As one of the nation’s most lucrative construction markets, California often sets the standard for future building codes. Standardizing fixtures to meet CalGreen and Title 20 requirements prepares builders as other states adopt similar measures. Understanding how CalGreen and Title 20 work together helps builders to choose compliant fixtures, avoid project delays, and meet client expectations for sustainable design. Builders must think beyond aesthetics, as every faucet and showerhead must be verified as compliant under both CalGreen and Title 20 to avoid project setbacks. Compliance begins at the design stage of a project, not after installation. Builders should review local code updates and ensure the plumbing plan reflects the required flow rates for all fixtures. Those working on remodels should inspect old plumbing systems as they may need adjustments to maintain optimal pressure with new low-flow and water-efficient fixtures. 

Know How Review Stages Impact Project Schedules

In California, building inspectors conduct reviews at several project stages, rather than just after completion. Inspections often occur at the rough plumbing stage during pipe installation, before drywall, or during the final plumbing stage. Planning ahead for fixture selection and plumbing layout helps builders integrate water-efficient products seamlessly, reducing costly last-minute changes during inspection. It is also important for builders to keep accurate documentation of every faucet and showerhead to ensure smoother inspections and demonstrate a builder’s commitment to sustainable, compliant construction. Builders who embrace water-efficiency standards now position themselves as leaders in sustainability, offering clients performance and peace of mind that lasts for years. Consistent collaboration among engineers, inspectors, and suppliers ensures long-term compliance and maintains a project’s competitive edge in sustainability certifications.

Products That Meet and Beat These Standards

Pioneer makes compliance simple by offering a range of CalGreen- and Title 20-certified products that help builders meet state requirements without sacrificing performance or design. Kitchen faucets like the Pioneer Motegi Single Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet 2MT260 are certified to come in below the maximum Title 20 standards with a 1.5 GPM flow rate, earning it a CalGreen certification. Builders seeking to improve water efficiency in the bathroom can look to the  Pioneer Mod Single Handle Shower Trim Set With Handheld TD-4MO300-ADA, which combines the luxury of a handheld and rainfall showerhead with best-in-class water conservation. All fixtures in this article provide efficient flow rates that conserve water while enhancing comfort and design cohesion. With fixtures like these, Pioneer gives builders the confidence to meet California’s standards and exceed homeowner expectations. Including MAEDbS listing numbers in submittal documents makes verification faster during inspection.

Wrapping it All Up

CalGreen defines how much water buildings can use, while Title 20 defines how efficiently that water can be delivered. Together, they form the backbone of California’s water-smart construction practices. These coordinated standards are shaping how plumbing manufacturers design, test, and certify products for both residential and commercial applications.

California’s new regulations under CalGreen and Title 20 are reshaping what builders must expect when specifying faucets and showerheads. Choosing products that already meet these standards helps ensure inspections go smoothly and saves time and cost later. With Pioneer’s line of compliant, high-quality fixtures, and a dedicated team that builds the best specification packages in the business, builders that partner with Pioneer deliver both regulatory assurance and appealing design to investors. Proactive planning and certified product selection transform regulation into an opportunity for innovation and client confidence.

There are many ways to the same destination. This saying applies to multifamily housing builds just as much as to anything else in life. The ultimate goal is save as much money as possible while delivering a great finished project – that’s simply showing smart business sense. But, finding a one-off deal or sacrificing quality isn’t the only way to get a healthy ROI. We have a better way.

Pioneer works with professionals every day to develop specification packages and plans that save our valued partners both time and money, sometimes in surprising ways. It’s our goal to ensure your project meets or exceeds its expected outcome. We want to get to know you and your company and show you how we can save you money.  Please reach out via our website form or call us at (800) 338-9468.