(a) Alterations to existing buildings licensed as intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled or new construction shall be in conformance with Chapter 1, Division T17, Part 6, Title 24, California Administrative Code.

(b) Facilities licensed or exempt from licensure and in operation prior to the effective date of changes in construction regulations shall not be required to institute corrective alterations or construction to comply with such new requirements except where specifically required or where the Department determines in writing that a definite hazard to health and safety exists. Any facility for which preliminary or working drawings and specifications have been approved by the Department prior to the effective date of changes to construction regulations shall not be required to comply with such new requirements provided substantial actual construction is commenced within one year of the effective date of such new requirements.

(c) All facilities shall maintain in operating condition all buildings, fixtures and spaces in the numbers and types as specified in the construction requirements under which the facility or unit was first licensed.