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IECC — Int'l Energy Conservation CodeNECASHRAE 90.1IECCTitle 24OSHA
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International Energy Conservation Code

IECC Lighting Requirements

Commercial and residential lighting energy budgets, mandatory controls, and interior / exterior power density allowances under the 2021 IECC.

StandardIECCCurrent Edition2021Commercial SectionC405Residential SectionR404Adopting BodyState / Local Jurisdiction
Commercial Lighting — Section C405
The IECC commercial lighting provisions in Section C405 closely track ASHRAE 90.1. Jurisdictions that adopt the IECC typically also reference or adopt ASHRAE 90.1 by reference for detailed LPD tables.

C405.2 — Lighting Controls

Occupancy sensors required in all enclosed spaces ≤300 ft² and in spaces listed in Section C405.2.1. Occupancy sensor must auto-shut off within 30 min.

C405.2.3 — Daylight Zones

Spaces with sidelit daylight zones >150 ft² or under skylights: multilevel lighting controls with ≥50 % reduction step. Continuous dimming preferred.

C405.2.4 — Automatic Shut-Off

Whole-building automatic shut-off required. Time-of-day scheduling or occupancy sensing. Manual override ≤2 hrs.

C405.3 — Interior LPD

Must comply with ASHRAE 90.1-2019 (or local equivalent) space-by-space or building-area method. No separate IECC LPD tables.

C405.4 — Exterior Lighting

Exterior lights must be controlled by photosensor (on at night, off at dawn) and must reduce by ≥30 % during non-operational hours.

C405.6 — Electrical Metering

Commercial buildings >25,000 ft² must have energy monitoring capable of reporting lighting energy use separately from other end uses.


Commercial Compliance Checklist — C405
ItemSectionRequirementStatus
Interior LPD compliantC405.3Each space ≤ ASHRAE 90.1 LPD limit
Occupancy sensors in enclosed spaces ≤300 ft²C405.2.1Auto-off ≤30 min
Daylighting controls in qualified zonesC405.2.3≥50 % reduction step
Automatic shut-off controls building-wideC405.2.4Schedule or sensor; override ≤2 hrs
Exterior photosensor controlsC405.4On at dusk, off at dawn
Exterior reduction at non-operational hoursC405.4≥30 % reduction
Exterior LPD within allowanceC405.5Per Table C405.5(1)
Exit signs ≤5 W per faceC405.2LED exit signs recommended
Electrical energy monitoring (>25,000 ft²)C405.6Separate lighting submeter
Commissioning documentationC408.3Controls tested and documented

Residential Lighting — Section R404
Residential requirements are simpler than commercial but mandate high-efficacy sources throughout habitable spaces.

R404.1 — High-Efficacy Lamps

A minimum of 90 % of permanently installed lighting in dwelling units must be high-efficacy (LED ≥45 lm/W or CFL equivalent).

Garage Luminaires

At least one high-efficacy luminaire required in attached garages.

Exterior Luminaires

Exterior attached to the building envelope must be high-efficacy and must have automatic shut-off via photosensor or motion sensor.

Exceptions

Low-voltage lighting systems (12 V) and luminaires in conditioned crawlspaces are exempt from the high-efficacy requirement.

High-Efficacy MinimumThreshold
LED lamps / luminaires≥ 45 lm/W
CFL lampsENERGY STAR certified
Screw-base LEDsListed as high-efficacy
Integrated LED luminaires≥ 45 lm/W overall

Exterior LPD Allowances — Table C405.5(1)
ApplicationAllowance
Uncovered parking areas0.10 W/ft²
Covered parking (open)0.13 W/ft²
Building grounds — walkways0.70 W/linear ft (< 10 ft wide)
Building grounds — plazas0.20 W/ft²
Building façades (illuminated)0.20 W/ft²
Canopies / overhangs1.25 W/ft² of canopy
Drive-through windows440 W per window
Main entry doors30 W per linear ft of door width
Secondary entry doors20 W per linear ft of door width
Loading areas / docks0.10 W/ft²

References
DocumentPublisherDescription
2021 International Energy Conservation CodeICCPrimary standard; Chapters C4 and R4.
ASHRAE 90.1-2019 (referenced by 2021 IECC)ASHRAELPD tables adopted by reference.
ICC Commentaries — IECC CommercialICCInterpretive guidance on C405 provisions.