SB 326 & SB 721 Balcony Inspections Are Legally Mandated. Is Your Property Compliant?

San Diego County, California CIV. CODE § 5551 HEALTH & SAF. § 17973

California law requires HOAs and multifamily rental owners to have exterior elevated elements — balconies, decks, stairways, and walkways — inspected by a licensed structural engineer or architect on a recurring statutory cycle. We are a free intake utility, not an engineering firm. Tell us about your property and we'll connect you with a licensed California PE or architect firm qualified to perform the mandated inspection.

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Statutory inspection cycle

Initial: First mandated inspection
Recurring: Every statutory cycle after
Past due: Liability exposure begins

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Form 326/721

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Compliance Timeline

Qualification This inspection service is for HOA boards, property managers, and multifamily/condo owners (3+ units) subject to SB 326/SB 721

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Exterior elevated elements

Balconies, decks, stairways, and walkways — the elements California law places on a recurring statutory inspection cycle.

Compliance register

California Balcony Compliance Topics

SB 326 governs common-interest developments (HOAs and condominium associations). SB 721 governs multifamily rental buildings with three or more units. Both require inspection of exterior elevated elements by a licensed structural engineer or architect — not a general contractor.

01 SB 326 Inspections The HOA and condominium association inspection mandate under Civil Code § 5551. 02 SB 721 Compliance The multifamily rental inspection mandate for buildings with three or more units. 03 HOA Balcony Inspections What boards, managers, and reserve studies need from a compliant inspection. 04 Exterior Elevated Elements Which balconies, decks, stairs, and walkways fall inside the statutory definition. 05 Multifamily Deck Inspections Scope, sampling, and access planning for apartment portfolios. 06 Structural Engineer Referrals Why a licensed PE or architect stamp is required — and a contractor's is not. 07 Inspection Deadlines Statutory cadence, recurring cycles, and what happens if you miss one. 08 Report & Remediation What to do when an inspection identifies unsafe conditions requiring repair.

Who performs it

A California licensed structural engineer or architect conducts the inspection and signs the report. A general contractor's assessment does not satisfy the statute.

What it covers

Load-bearing components and the associated waterproofing of balconies, decks, stairways, and walkways — plus the inspector's findings on remaining useful life.

Priority routing

Deadline Passed or Approaching?

Non-compliance carries liability exposure for boards, managers, and owners. We prioritize past-due compliance intakes for immediate routing to a licensed inspection firm.

Review Compliance Deadlines