Ensure you are in compliance with California’s balcony laws with Adapt Dwellings professional deck and balcony inspections.

Do you own a multifamily apartment building, or are you part of a condominium or home owners association? If so, your property’s exterior elevated elements including balconies and decks must be in compliance with California balcony laws SB 326 no later than January 1, 2025, and SB 721 no later than January 1st, 2026.

Adapt Dwellings can help you with professional balcony inspections and deck inspections that will evaluate the safety and integrity of these structures across a range of inspection points.

Don’t wait until compliance is required. Save yourself the time and hassle of last minute inspections. Beat the rush and contact Adapt Dwellings today to schedule your California balcony inspection.

The state of California has enacted legislation designed to keep tenants safe from structural failures involving decks, balconies, stairs and other elevated elements. This legislation includes California SB 721 and California SB 326.

California SB 721

Senate Bill 721, commonly known as the California Balcony Inspection law, was passed in 2018. It requires regular inspection and maintenance of exterior elevated elements (EEEs) in all multi-family residential apartment buildings.

All residential buildings with 3 or more multi-family dwelling units are required to be inspected by a licensed professional no later than January 1, 2026.

SB 721 inspections require a detailed examination of the structure and integrity of decks, balconies, porches, stairs, walkways, and entry structures. These items must be examined for signs of water damage, deterioration, decay or any other potential hazards.

Any structures that fail the safety examination must be repaired to achieve compliance as soon as possible. Penalties for non-compliance or refusal to repair the damages can result in penalties up to $500 per day.

SB 721 inspections are valid for 6 years from the date of inspection. If your decks or balconies have not been inspected since the law was passed in 2018, you are due for an inspection before January 1, 2026.

California SB 326

SB 326 requires California deck inspections and balcony inspections for all condominiums and home owners associations (HOAs). SB 326 functions similarly to SB 721, with some differences.

SB 326 applies to condominiums and buildings within HOAs with three or more units and exterior elevated elements more than six feet off the ground.

For properties subject to SB 326, balcony inspections must be completed no later than January 1, 2025. Once completed, the inspection is valid for a maximum of 9 years before it must be re-inspected.

For both SB 721 and SB 326, inspections are required to be conducted by a licensed structural engineer, architect, building contractor, or certified building inspector.

In June of 2015 six students perished in Berkeley, CA when an apartment building balcony collapsed. Another seven were injured during the fall from the 5th floor balcony.

In the aftermath of this devastating tragedy, California passed SB 721 in 2018 and SB 326 in 2019 to prioritize the safety of balconies, decks and other exterior elevated elements. These new laws require that qualifying EEEs be regularly inspected to prevent future tragedies from occurring.

By conducting regular inspections of these properties, we can prevent tragedies like this from occurring in our communities.

California balcony laws extend beyond just keeping balconies safe.

Balcony rules and regulations also apply elevated exterior elements. EEEs include any wood framed structures which support weight and extend beyond the wall of a building. This includes elevated structures like decks and porches, as well as stairways and walkways.

California balcony laws also apply to entry structures more than 6 feet above ground level.

Because EEEs are constantly exposed to weather, they can deteriorate over time. These structures can be subject to moisture, mold, and other conditions like dry rot that can compromise their structural integrity.

By undergoing regular inspections and maintenance you can ensure the safety of your tenants and keep the value of your property.

Adapt Dwellings is the Bay Area leader in accessory dwelling units. We are proud to offer our decades of expertise in real estate matters to conduct professional balcony and deck inspections.

At Adapt Dwellings, our certified building inspectors will work with you to provide a competent and diligent visual evaluation of your property’s EEEs.

Our inspector will perform a thorough, non-intrusive examination of your elevated exterior elements including:

• Structural integrity of balconies, decks, walkways and other wooden structures
• Load bearing components
• Review of the ventilation of the enclosed deck structure
• Associated waterproofing systems and elements
• Guardrails and handrails
• Foundation and piers
• Posts and bracing
• Deterioration
• Overall condition

Upon completion of an inspection, we will provide a detailed report of the findings by our certified building inspector. We include annotated photographs of any problem areas discovered, along with recommendations for any improvements needed to bring the balcony or deck up to meet safety standards.

Buildings affected by SB 326 must submit a completed inspection report by January 1st, 2025, while buildings affected by SB 721 must submit an inspection report by January 1st, 2026.

Failure to submit an inspection report by the deadline can result in fines from your local building department. You may even be subject to liens on your property by failing to complete required inspections and repairs.

You may even face increased insurance premiums and see a decline in your property’s value.

Even more concerning, if an accident happens on a non-compliant balcony, the property owner can face significant lawsuits and legal consequences.

California balcony code requirements were enacted to help easily preventable, yet senseless tragedies like the one in Berkeley from occurring. Ensure the safety of your tenants, and provide yourself peace of mind by getting your balconies and decks inspected as soon as possible.

With the time to reach compliance with SB 721 and SB 326 drawing nearer, don’t waste another moment putting off your balcony and deck inspection.

Let us conduct a thorough evaluation of your balconies, decks, and other exterior elevated elements so you can reach compliance