Cal. Health & Safety Code § 50152.7

The department may promulgate regulations establishing habitability standards for dwelling units assisted by the department providing for the density, use, and physical standards of housing units shared pursuant to Section 19904, for the purpose of assuring decent, safe, and sanitary standards for those households while taking into account the special circumstances of shared housing. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, these regulations shall not be considered building standards and shall be treated as program regulations promulgated pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.