(a) For purposes of this section, “temporary sleeping cabin” means a nonpermanent structure that is intended to provide temporary housing to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, has a total floor area of less than 250 square feet, and does not include plumbing.

(b) Notwithstanding any law, a local agency shall not impose or enforce any requirement to provide fire sprinklers for a temporary sleeping cabin that is on a site with 50 or fewer temporary sleeping cabins.

(c) A temporary sleeping cabin that does not provide fire sprinklers shall comply with alternative fire and life safety standards that include, at a minimum, all of the following requirements:

(1) One smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm shall be provided in each unit, which shall be installed in accordance with the California Residential Code (Part 2.5 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations).

(2) One fire extinguisher shall be provided in each unit.

(3) Ingress and egress shall facilitate rapid exit of the temporary sleeping cabin.

(4) Emergency evacuation signage and emergency egress lighting shall be provided.

(5) Every egress shall be free from storage and other obstructions.

(6) A prohibition on the use of open flames and combustibles.

(7) A prohibition on smoking at the site.

(8) Twenty-four-hour active fire watch shall be provided at the site.

(9) Temporary sleeping cabins shall be separated to the side and rear by at least six feet, and be made of noncombustible material.

(10) A temporary sleeping cabin shall meet the design and construction requirements for emergency sleeping cabins prescribed in California Building Code Appendix P or California Residential Code Appendix AZ or their successors, except a requirement to be equipped with fire sprinklers.

(11) Fire code inspections shall occur in regular intervals, as determined by the local agency.

(d) Violations of the alternative fire and life safety standards described in subdivision (c) shall be handled in accordance with Article 2.3 (commencing with Section 17974) of Chapter 5.

(e) This section pertains only to alternative fire and life safety standards for temporary sleeping cabins and does not supersede any other applicable local or state approval process or health and safety standards pertaining to the use of or siting of temporary sleeping cabins.

(f) The Legislature finds and declares that this section addresses a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair as that term is used in § 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution. Therefore, this section applies to all cities, including charter cities.

(g) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.

(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 725, Sec. 1. (AB 42) Effective January 1, 2024. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, by its own provisions.)