CA-SB721 & E3 Law

California Senate Bill 721 (SB721):

SB 721 is a 6-year inspection for all non-condominiums with 3 residential dwellings or more in the entire State of California. All elevated wooden appendages including balconies, decks, stairway systems, walkways, guards, and handrails, must be inspected every 6 years

About California Senate Bill 721 (SB721):

California Senate Bill 721, often referred to as SB721, focuses on the inspection and maintenance of balconies and other elevated structures in multi-unit residential buildings. The bill was introduced following a tragic incident in Berkeley, California, where a balcony collapsed, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. SB721 aims to enhance safety measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Under SB721, property owners of buildings with three or more multifamily dwelling units must adhere to specific inspection requirements for exterior elevated elements, such as balconies, decks, and stairways. These inspections are intended to identify any potential hazards or structural deficiencies that could compromise the safety of occupants.

We are proudly affiliated with the San Francisco Apartment Association and the Apartment Owners Association. Any members affiliated with these groups will receive a 10% discount.

Buildings in California with three or more multifamily dwelling units fall under the mandate of CA-SB721, commonly referred to as the Balcony and Deck Inspection. These regulations necessitate the inspection of all wooden Exterior Elevated Elements (EEE) within such structures.
During the inspection process, the following aspects of Exterior Elevated Elements (EEE) are scrutinized in accordance with California code:
- Condition of loading bearing components
- Condition of associated waterproofing elements
- Evaluation of expected future performance and projected service life
Inspectors begin by visually assessing for apparent signs of water intrusion issues. Further, more detailed inspections may involve the use of tools such as moisture meters or borescopes to pinpoint the source of moisture intrusion.
The inspection requirement stipulated by CA-SB721 mandates examining a minimum of 15% of each type of EEE, including wooden balconies, stairways, walkways, handrails, and guardrails.
The duration of inspections for exterior balconies, decks, stairs, handrails, and guardrails varies based on several factors:
- Accessibility to each element
- Whether the element is exposed or concealed by soffit
- Elevation of the element from the ground
- Absence of obstructions such as patio furniture on balconies/decks
The difference between SB721 and SB326 is that one affects apartment buildings, while the other affects condominiums and homeowners’ associations.
CA-SB721 is required every six (6) years and CA-SB326 is required every nine (9) years.
Licensed general contractor, certified building inspector, architect or engineer.
Inspections must be conducted by a licensed structural engineer or architect only.
The owner of the building requiring corrective work to an exterior elevated element that, in the opinion of the inspector, does not pose an immediate threat to the safety of the occupants, shall apply for a permit within 120 days of receipt of the inspection report. Once the permit is approved, the owner of the building shall have 120 days to make the repairs unless an extension of time is granted by the local enforcement agency.
If the owner of the building does not comply with the repair requirements within 180 days, the inspector shall notify the local enforcement agency and the owner of the building. If within 30 days of the date of the notice the repairs are not completed, the owner of the building shall be assessed a civil penalty based on the fee schedule set by the local authority of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) per day until the repairs are completed, unless an extension of time is granted by the local enforcement agency.