Title 24 Cool Roof Requirements and Solar Considerations in San Diego
California's Title 24 energy code sets cool-roof reflectivity requirements that apply to most re-roofing projects in San Diego, and with rooftop solar now common across the county, homeowners re-roofing a home with existing or planned panels need to think through both issues together. This guide covers what Title 24 requires, which roofs are exempt, and how to sequence a re-roof around solar.
By Jason Green · Roofing & Gutters · Published August 13, 2026 · 10 min read
What Title 24 actually requires
Title 24, Part 6 of the California Building Standards Code sets minimum solar reflectance and thermal emittance values for new roofing installed on most residential re-roofs, aimed at reducing cooling energy demand statewide.
In practice this means many low-slope roofs need a reflective or cool membrane, and steep-slope roofs need cool-rated shingle or tile products, which are now widely available from major manufacturers without a significant cost premium over standard products.
Which San Diego homes are exempt or have flexibility
Small re-roofs, certain historic properties, and roofs with limited surface area addition are sometimes exempt or subject to reduced requirements; a licensed roofer or the City of San Diego Development Services plan checker can confirm exemption status for a specific project.
Homes in designated historic districts, such as parts of Mission Hills or Kensington, sometimes have additional flexibility on cool-roof material appearance requirements to preserve original architectural character, but this needs case-by-case confirmation.
Coordinating a re-roof with existing solar
If a home already has rooftop solar, removing and reinstalling the panel array to re-roof underneath typically adds $2,000 to $5,000 in labor depending on system size and mounting type.
Roofers experienced with solar coordination will time the panel removal and reinstallation as a single mobilization with the solar installer to avoid the home sitting with an exposed roof deck or removed panels longer than necessary.
Planning a re-roof before installing solar
Homeowners planning solar in the near future are generally better off re-roofing first if the existing roof has less than 10-15 years of life left, since installing panels on a roof that needs replacement soon means paying removal and reinstallation costs twice as close together.
Solar installers in San Diego routinely ask for the age and condition of the roof before quoting a system, and many will decline to install on a roof with fewer than 10 years of expected remaining life without a written waiver.
Working with roofers and solar installers together
Because flashing and penetration placement affect both roof and solar warranties, it's worth asking a prospective roofer whether they coordinate directly with solar installers or subcontract solar-specific flashing work.
A roof warranty can be voided by improper solar mounting hardware installation, so homeowners should get written confirmation from both the roofer and the solar company about who is responsible for penetration flashing before work begins.
Typical cost ranges
| Cool roof compliant shingle upgrade (vs standard) | $0 - $600 |
| Solar panel removal and reinstallation for re-roof | $2,000 - $5,000 |
| Cool roof membrane for flat/low-slope section | $8,500 - $15,000 |
| Title 24 compliance documentation/plan check fee | $150 - $400 |
Ranges are general estimates gathered from homeowner-reported quotes, not an offer or a quote for your project.
Common questions
Does every re-roof in San Diego need to meet Title 24 cool roof standards?
Most do, though small projects and certain historic or limited-area re-roofs may be exempt; check with the City of San Diego Development Services Department for a specific property.
How much does it cost to remove and reinstall solar panels for a re-roof?
Typically $2,000 to $5,000 depending on system size, mounting type, and how many panels need to be temporarily removed.
Should I re-roof before or after installing solar?
If your roof has less than 10-15 years of expected life left, most installers recommend re-roofing first to avoid paying removal and reinstallation costs again soon after.
Want real numbers for your own project?
Two minutes now beats weeks of unreturned calls. Free, no obligation, never more than three roofers.
Get My Free Roofing QuotesLocal cost ranges, seasons, permits and licensing for this city live on the market page.
Roofers in San Diego, CASources
More guides
The Henry Standard
Every roofer in our network agrees to three things.
Show up
Call back. Keep appointments. And if something changes, communicate it.
Quote honestly
Clear scope, materials, and pricing in writing—so you know what you're agreeing to.
Finish the work
See the job through and take care of the agreed-upon work before calling it finished.
Nothing revolutionary. Just the way we believe doing business should still be done.