CA AB2960

Authorizes cities with populations exceeding 3,500,000 to operate emergency housing facilities year-round without full compliance with state building fire and life safety standards if they submit alternative standards to the State Fire Marshal.

Required alternative standards must include 24-hour active fire watch, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, emergency evacuation signage, emergency egress lighting, maximum occupancy limits (49 persons standard, up to 150 with fire department approval), and fire code inspections every 30 days or less.

State Fire Marshal must review submitted standards within 30 days and approve them or explain why they fail to meet threshold requirements.

Permits are issued for maximum 90-day periods with 90-day extensions allowed, not to exceed 730 days of continuous operation.

No new permits may be authorized on or after January 1, 2023, though facilities with existing permits may continue operating under 90-day extensions until December 31, 2024.