(a) Notwithstanding Section 129875, projects for the construction or alterations of buildings specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 129725 that are single-story, wood-frame or light steel frame construction and buildings specified in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 129725 shall be exempt from plan review and inspection by the department prior to construction if the facility demonstrates to the department, by written description of the project, that all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The construction or alteration is undertaken to repair existing systems or to keep up the course of normal or routine maintenance.

(2) The construction or alteration either restores the facility to the same operational status, or improves operational status from its operating condition immediately prior to the event, occurrence, or condition that necessitated the alteration.

(3) The scope of the construction or alteration is not ordinarily within the standard of practice of a licensed architect or registered engineer.

(4) The construction or alteration does not degrade the status or condition of the fire and life safety system from the status of the system immediately prior to the event, occurrence, or condition that necessitated the alteration.

(b) Upon completion of construction or alteration of any building subject to this section, and prior to use of the repaired system or other subject of the construction or alteration, the department shall inspect and approve the work. The department may require an interim inspection for code compliance when walls, ceilings, or other materials or finishes will cover the final work.

(c) Upon compliance with subdivision (a), the department shall issue a building permit.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 143, Sec. 307. (AB 133) Effective July 27, 2021.)