CALGREEN INSPECTOR / PLANS EXAMINER
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION GRADED A+ 2026
UPDATE 100% CORRECT
CAL Green Inspector/Plans Examiner Practice Exam
Exam based on the 2019 California Green Building Standards Code, Title 24, Part
11 (CAL Green)
PART 1: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (Questions 1-15)
1. What is the primary purpose of the CALGreen Code?
A) To regulate only commercial buildings
B) To promote sustainable building practices and reduce environmental impact
C) To enforce fire safety standards exclusively
D) To replace all other California Building Codes
Correct Answer: B) To promote sustainable building practices and reduce
environmental impact
Explanation: The CALGreen Code's main purpose is to promote environmentally
responsible construction practices and reduce the overall environmental footprint
of buildings. It establishes mandatory minimum green building standards for
California construction .
2. Which of the following best describes the scope of CALGreen?
,A) Only new commercial buildings
B) Only residential renovations
C) New construction, additions, and alterations of both residential and non-
residential buildings
D) Only government buildings
Correct Answer: C) New construction, additions, and alterations of both
residential and non-residential buildings
Explanation: CALGreen applies to new buildings, additions, and alterations across
residential and non-residential structures to promote sustainability .
3. Which CALGreen section addresses site development and stormwater
management?
A) Chapter 4
B) Chapter 5
C) Chapter 6
D) Chapter 8
Correct Answer: B) Chapter 5
Explanation: Chapter 5 of CALGreen covers site development, including
stormwater management and planning requirements .
4. What distinguishes mandatory measures from voluntary tiers in CALGreen?
A) Mandatory measures are optional
B) Mandatory measures are legally required, while voluntary tiers encourage
additional sustainable practices
C) Voluntary tiers are legally enforceable
D) There is no distinction
Correct Answer: B) Mandatory measures are legally required, while voluntary
tiers encourage additional sustainable practices
, Explanation: Mandatory measures are required by law, whereas voluntary tiers
(Tier 1 and Tier 2) promote additional sustainable practices beyond the minimum
requirements .
5. In CALGreen, "Tier 1" refers to:
A) The most stringent voluntary performance level
B) The baseline mandatory compliance level
C) A voluntary tier that requires approximately 30% greater water savings than
mandatory
D) A mandatory requirement for high-rise residential buildings
Correct Answer: C) A voluntary tier that requires approximately 30% greater
water savings than mandatory
Explanation: Tier 1 is a voluntary tier that builds on mandatory measures and
requires additional water-use reductions (approximately 30% beyond the
mandatory baseline). Tier 2 is even more stringent .
6. How does CALGreen interact with Title 24, Part 6 (Energy Code)?
A) CALGreen supersedes all energy requirements
B) CALGreen provides supplemental water and material standards, while Title 24
covers energy
C) Both codes are unrelated and can be applied independently
D) CALGreen replaces Title 24 for residential projects
Correct Answer: B) CALGreen provides supplemental water and material
standards, while Title 24 covers energy
Explanation: CALGreen adds water-efficiency, material, and indoor-air quality
standards; energy requirements remain under Title 24, Part 6 .
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION GRADED A+ 2026
UPDATE 100% CORRECT
CAL Green Inspector/Plans Examiner Practice Exam
Exam based on the 2019 California Green Building Standards Code, Title 24, Part
11 (CAL Green)
PART 1: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (Questions 1-15)
1. What is the primary purpose of the CALGreen Code?
A) To regulate only commercial buildings
B) To promote sustainable building practices and reduce environmental impact
C) To enforce fire safety standards exclusively
D) To replace all other California Building Codes
Correct Answer: B) To promote sustainable building practices and reduce
environmental impact
Explanation: The CALGreen Code's main purpose is to promote environmentally
responsible construction practices and reduce the overall environmental footprint
of buildings. It establishes mandatory minimum green building standards for
California construction .
2. Which of the following best describes the scope of CALGreen?
,A) Only new commercial buildings
B) Only residential renovations
C) New construction, additions, and alterations of both residential and non-
residential buildings
D) Only government buildings
Correct Answer: C) New construction, additions, and alterations of both
residential and non-residential buildings
Explanation: CALGreen applies to new buildings, additions, and alterations across
residential and non-residential structures to promote sustainability .
3. Which CALGreen section addresses site development and stormwater
management?
A) Chapter 4
B) Chapter 5
C) Chapter 6
D) Chapter 8
Correct Answer: B) Chapter 5
Explanation: Chapter 5 of CALGreen covers site development, including
stormwater management and planning requirements .
4. What distinguishes mandatory measures from voluntary tiers in CALGreen?
A) Mandatory measures are optional
B) Mandatory measures are legally required, while voluntary tiers encourage
additional sustainable practices
C) Voluntary tiers are legally enforceable
D) There is no distinction
Correct Answer: B) Mandatory measures are legally required, while voluntary
tiers encourage additional sustainable practices
, Explanation: Mandatory measures are required by law, whereas voluntary tiers
(Tier 1 and Tier 2) promote additional sustainable practices beyond the minimum
requirements .
5. In CALGreen, "Tier 1" refers to:
A) The most stringent voluntary performance level
B) The baseline mandatory compliance level
C) A voluntary tier that requires approximately 30% greater water savings than
mandatory
D) A mandatory requirement for high-rise residential buildings
Correct Answer: C) A voluntary tier that requires approximately 30% greater
water savings than mandatory
Explanation: Tier 1 is a voluntary tier that builds on mandatory measures and
requires additional water-use reductions (approximately 30% beyond the
mandatory baseline). Tier 2 is even more stringent .
6. How does CALGreen interact with Title 24, Part 6 (Energy Code)?
A) CALGreen supersedes all energy requirements
B) CALGreen provides supplemental water and material standards, while Title 24
covers energy
C) Both codes are unrelated and can be applied independently
D) CALGreen replaces Title 24 for residential projects
Correct Answer: B) CALGreen provides supplemental water and material
standards, while Title 24 covers energy
Explanation: CALGreen adds water-efficiency, material, and indoor-air quality
standards; energy requirements remain under Title 24, Part 6 .
