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Chapter 4 — NONRESIDENTIAL AND HOTEL/MOTEL OCCUPANCIES—MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR LIGHTING SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT, AND ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

Section 130.3 — SIGN LIGHTING CONTROLS

2025 California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · California

Nonresidential buildings other than healthcare facilities, and hotel/motel buildings shall comply with the applicable requirements of Sections 130.3(a)1 through 130.3(a)3.

(a) Controls for sign lighting. All sign lighting shall meet the requirements below as applicable:

  1. Indoor signs. All indoor sign lighting other than exit sign lighting shall be controlled with an automatic time-switch control or astronomical time-switch control.

  2. Outdoor signs. Outdoor sign lighting shall meet the following requirements as applicable: A. All outdoor sign lighting shall be controlled with a photocontrol in addition to an automatic time-switch control, or an astronomical time-switch control.

Exception to Section 130.3(a)2A: Outdoor signs in tunnels, and signs in large permanently covered outdoor areas that are intended to be continuously lit, 24 hours per day and 365 days per year. B. All outdoor sign lighting that is ON both day and night shall be controlled with a dimmer that provides the ability to automatically reduce sign lighting power by a minimum of 65 percent during nighttime hours. Signs that are illuminated at night and for more than 1 hour during daylight hours shall be considered ON both day and night.

Exception to Section 130.3(a)2B: Outdoor signs in tunnels and large covered areas that are intended to be illuminated both day and night. 3. Demand responsive Electronic Message Center (EMC) control. See Section 110.12 for requirements for demand responsive EMC controls .

Note: Authority: Sections 25213, 25218, 25218.5, 25402 and 25402.1, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 25007, 25008, 25218.5, 25310, 25402, 25402.1, 25402.4, 25402.5, 25402.8, and 25943, Public Resources Code.

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Contents — 2025 California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6)

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