For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) “Self-service storage facility” means real property designed and used for the purpose of renting or leasing individual storage space to occupants who are to have access to the space for the purpose of storing and removing personal property or for storing individual storage containers provided to occupants who have exclusive use of the container for the purpose of storing and removing personal property, whether or not the individual storage containers are transported pursuant to Section 21701.1. Self-service storage facility does not include a garage or other storage area in a private residence. No occupant may use a self-service storage facility for residential purposes. A self-service storage facility is not a warehouse, nor a public utility, as defined in Section 216 of the Public Utilities Code. If an owner issues a warehouse receipt, bill of lading, or other document of title for the personal property stored, the owner and the occupant are subject to the provisions of Division 7 (commencing with Section 7101) of the Commercial Code, and the provisions of this chapter do not apply.
(b) “Owner” means the owner, operator, lessor, or sublessor of a self-service storage facility, their agent, or any other person authorized by them to manage the facility, or to receive rent from an occupant under a rental agreement, and no real estate license is required.
(c) “Occupant” means a person, or their sublessee, successor, or assign, who is entitled to the use of the storage space at a self-service storage facility under a rental agreement, to the exclusion of others.
(d) “Rental agreement” means any written agreement or lease that establishes or modifies the terms, conditions, rules, or any other provision concerning the use and occupancy of a self-service storage facility.
(e) “Personal property” means movable property not affixed to land, and includes, but is not limited to, goods, merchandise, furniture, and household items.
(f) “Last known address” means that address provided by the occupant in the latest rental agreement, or the address provided by the occupant in a subsequent written notice of a change of address.
(g) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2023.
(Amended (as added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 227, Sec. 2) by Stats. 2020, Ch. 36, Sec. 3. (AB 3364) Effective January 1, 2021. Section operative January 1, 2023, by its own provisions.)