(a)  The Legislature finds and declares that certain park trailer units with lofts that do not comply with Section 18009.3, as amended in 2001, and Section 18033 were designed and manufactured for residential occupancy in the lofts, and were sold and occupied in this state prior to January 3, 2001. On or about January 3, 2001, the department issued an information bulletin informing local government building code enforcement agencies, park trailer manufacturers and dealerships, and other interested parties that, in fact, many of these park trailers did not comply with applicable standards with respect to the lofts and related areas and therefore were not recreational vehicles or park trailers, as defined by this part.

(b)  (1)  In order to ensure reasonable standards of public safety while avoiding undue hardship to purchasers of park trailers with lofts that are in substantial compliance with Section 18009.3, as amended in 2001, and Section 18033, park trailers with lofts shall be deemed to comply with those sections if there is compliance with all of the following requirements of this subdivision and subdivision (c):

(A)  They were manufactured prior to January 3, 2001, and sold prior to June 3, 2001.

(B)  The notices described in subdivision (c) are provided as specified in subdivision (c).

(2)  For purposes of this subdivision, “substantial compliance” shall require being constructed and maintained in a manner consistent with Section 18009.3, as amended in 2001, and Section 18033, except for the following:

(A)  Notwithstanding Section 18009.3, as amended in 2001, and Section 18033, ceilings of lofts shall be a minimum height of 50 inches above the loft floor for not less than 70 percent of the total loft ceiling area. One exit window shall be provided in all lofts used for human habitation, providing an unobstructed opening of at least 484 square inches, with a minimum dimension of 22 inches in any direction. The window shall be located on a wall or roof located opposite the access stairs to the loft area.

(B)  Notwithstanding Section 18009.3, as amended in 2001, and Section 18033, stairs serving as access to or egress from lofts shall not be required to comply with the provisions for rise and run as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 18009.3 if the stairs are provided with a complying handrail as provided in paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) of Section 18009.3.

(c)  For purposes of being deemed in compliance pursuant to this section, a park trailer with one or more lofts shall comply with the following paragraphs:

(1)  Within 24 inches of the opening of each loft, a permanent label shall be posted conspicuously, which states, in letters not less than one-half inch in height and in a color contrasting with the sign’s background and wall color, the following:

“NOTICE: THIS LOFT AREA AND THE STAIRS DO NOT COMPLY WITH CODES IN EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 2002, AND MAY BE DIFFICULT TO EXIT FROM IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE.”

(2)  The manufacturer of each park trailer subject to this section shall, to the extent feasible, mail the purchaser of the park trailer a written notice entitled, in bold 16-point type, the following:

“WARNING: LOFT AREAS AND STAIRS IN YOUR PARK TRAILER DO NOT COMPLY WITH STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2002. EXTRA CARE MAY BE REQUIRED TO EXIT FROM A LOFT IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE.”

This notice also shall set forth the provisions of this section and shall provide the name, address, and telephone number of a person to whom the owner may address questions.

(3)  If the owner rents or otherwise provides for consideration the park trailer subject to this section, the owner shall provide a written notice to the occupant that provides, in bold 16-point type, the following:

“WARNING: LOFT AREAS AND STAIRS IN YOUR PARK TRAILER DO NOT COMPLY WITH STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2002. EXTRA CARE MAY BE REQUIRED TO EXIT FROM A LOFT IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE.”

(d)  If the lofts and stairs of any park trailer do not comply with the requirements of this section, Section 18009.3, as amended in 2001, and Section 18033, the park trailer shall be deemed not in substantial compliance with this section, the loft area may not be used for human habitation but only for storage, and the loft area shall comply with the signage requirements prescribed by subdivision (b) of Section 18009.3.

(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 490, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2002.)