Does owner have the right to promise cooling in the home during the summer and not comply.? Being a 85 year old person in the home? No hand rails for a elderly person with walking problems? Promise to put the rails and not comply?

I would suggest contacting the State of California Contractors License Board for help; assuming a licensed contractor is responsible. Here is the link to file a complaint: http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Consumers/Filing_a_Complaint/

If it's in writing on a proposal than they should comply. If the building dept asks for it and he didn't include it then you might have to pay the difference. The contractor should know codes before he does a contract with you.