(a)  The department shall adopt regulations that it determines are reasonably consistent with generally recognized fire protection standards, governing conditions relating to the prevention of fire or for the protection of life and property against fire in parks. The department shall propose and submit building standards for approval pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 18935) of Part 2.5 for the purposes described in this section within permanent buildings. The department, in consultation with local firefighting agencies, shall adopt and implement regulations that require regular maintenance and periodic inspection and testing of fire hydrants in parks.

(b)  The regulations adopted by the department shall apply in all parks, except in a park within a city, county, or city and county that is the enforcement agency and has adopted and is enforcing a fire prevention code imposing restrictions equal to or greater than the restrictions imposed by those building standards published in the California Building Standards Code and the other regulations adopted by the department.

(c)  Notwithstanding this section, the regulations adopted by the department relating to the installation of water supply and fire hydrant systems shall not apply within parks constructed, or approved for construction, prior to January 1, 1966.

(d)  Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a city, county, city and county, or special district that is not the enforcement agency under this part may enforce its fire prevention code in parks relating to fire hydrant systems, water supply, fire equipment access, posting of fire equipment access, parking, lot identification, weed abatement, debris abatement, combustible storage abatement, and burglar bars. Before assuming fire code enforcement in accordance with this subdivision, a city, county, city and county, or special district shall give the department a 30-day written notice. A city, county, city and county, or special district that enforces its fire prevention code pursuant to this subdivision shall apply its code provisions to conditions that arise on or after adoption of its fire prevention code, or to conditions that, in the opinion of the fire chief, constitute a distinct hazard to life or property.

(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 434, Sec. 39. Effective January 1, 2002. Operative January 1, 2004, by Sec. 44 of Ch. 434, as amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 1038.)