California's SB-721 law requires mandatory balcony inspections for multi-family buildings. Here's what building owners need to know about compliance deadlines, inspection requirements, and what happens if you don't comply.
California's SB-721 and SB-326 laws represent a landmark change in how multi-family housing is regulated. Following several high-profile balcony collapses that resulted in deaths and serious injuries, the state mandated regular inspections of all exterior elevated elements (EEEs) — balconies, walkways, stairways, and similar structures.
What Is SB-721?
SB-721 (signed into law in 2018) applies to apartment buildings with 3 or more units. It requires all exterior elevated elements that are more than 6 feet above ground, and their associated waterproofing systems, to be inspected by a licensed structural engineer, architect, or contractor.
What Is SB-326?
SB-326 applies to condominiums and common interest developments governed by HOAs. The requirements are similar — periodic inspection of all EEEs — but administered through the HOA rather than the building owner directly.
What Gets Inspected?
Inspectors examine:
- **Structural framing** — condition of joists, beams, and connection hardware
- **Waterproofing system** — membrane condition, flashing, and drainage
- **Surface condition** — decking, railings, and finishes
- **Load-bearing connections** — how the element is attached to the main structure
In many cases, inspectors will conduct minimally invasive testing — removing a small section of decking or stucco to examine the framing beneath. This is required by law when the inspector cannot otherwise determine condition.
What Happens If Problems Are Found?
If an inspector finds immediate safety hazards, the building owner must immediately restrict access and begin emergency repairs. For non-emergency deficiencies, owners have a defined timeframe to complete repairs and file documentation with the local building department.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Cities can impose significant fines for failure to complete required inspections. More importantly, building owners who fail to inspect and a structural failure occurs face substantial civil liability.
PiersPro's SB-721 Service
We provide licensed inspections that satisfy both SB-721 and SB-326 requirements, deliver full compliance reports, and can execute any required repairs as a single contractor — eliminating the need to coordinate between an inspector and a separate repair crew.