(a)  The State Fire Marshal shall develop and adopt regulations establishing new occupancy classifications and specific fire safety standards appropriate for residential facilities, as defined in Section 1502, and residential care facilities for the elderly, as defined in Section 1569.2. Notwithstanding Sections 13143.2, 13143.5, and 13869.7, building standards adopted by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to this section and published in the State Building Standards Code relating to fire and panic safety, and other regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to this section, shall apply uniformly throughout the state, and no city, county, city and county, including a charter city or charter county, or fire protection district shall adopt or enforce any ordinance or local rule or regulation relating to fire and panic safety in buildings or structures subject to this section that is inconsistent with building standards adopted by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to this section and published in the State Building Standards Code relating to fire and panic safety, or other regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to this section.

(b)  Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a city, county, city and county, including a charter city or charter county may pursuant to Section 13143.5, or a fire protection district may pursuant to Section 13869.7, adopt standards more stringent than those contained in subdivision (a) that are reasonably necessary to accommodate local climate, geological, or topographical conditions relating to roof coverings for residential care facilities for the elderly.

(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 420, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1993.)