If you are the owner or manager of a Los Angeles commercial property such as a multi-family residential apartment building, you may already be familiar with the State of California’s mandatory Balcony Inspection Los Angeles laws, which were mandated by California Senate Bill 721. California’s SB 721 balcony inspection law impacts thousands of property owners in our region, and this quick and easy guide explains what it means, who must comply, and how to stay ahead of the compliance deadline to avoid costly penalties!
What is SB 721?
There are still quite a few folks who do not exactly understand California Senate Bill 721 or why this legislation and inspection program was passed by the California legislature. The answer is that there are many apartment buildings in Los Angeles that are vulnerable and may pose a health and safety risk to those who live (and visit) them. As such, the new law mandates safety inspections and repair of damaged “Elevated Structural Elements” (also called “EEE” or “3E”), which include structures such as balconies, stairs, decks, catwalks, among others (including supports, railings, and waterproofing elements, including flashings, membranes, coatings, and sealants) that extend beyond the exterior walls of the building and that have a walking surface that is more than six feet above the ground.
In essence, the SB 721 compliance regimen was created in response to a 2015 tragedy when a number of UC Berkeley students plunged 40 feet to their deaths when a 4th floor balcony they were standing on collapsed during a party. Although the building was fairly new, the balcony was made out of wood framing that had rotted away, and could not support the weight of the students. When the accident was investigated, it was determined that the deaths were preventable, and that a simple inspection of the balcony could have shown that it was in poor condition and needed repair.
Who must comply with SB 721 and when?
If you are wondering who must comply with SB 721 and when, the answer is that this new balcony inspection law requires owners and managers of multi-family residential apartment buildings to conduct ongoing maintenance and safety inspections of all of their property’s EEEs, as long as those buildings have 3 or more dwelling units and are two or more stories in height.
But wait, there’s more! Although the original deadline for conducting safety inspections was early 2025, Governor Newsome signed into law Assembly Bill 2579, which extended the deadline for the first balcony inspection by a year, and as such, these EEE safety inspections must occur before January 1, 2026, and then at least every 6 years thereafter.
How to Schedule a SB 721 Compliant Inspection
To schedule an inspection, the property owner or manager must contact a building contractor holding specific licenses as a B General Contractor or C5 Framing (i.e., SB 721 contractors), a licensed architect, or a civil or structural engineer, as these are the only individuals that are allowed by law to conduct a balcony inspection. Moreover, if any of the balconies or other EEE are found to need repair, the legislation allows the SB 721 contractors who conducted the inspections to repair the faulty balconies and EEEs (which is something that architects and engineers cannot do – they do not undertake repairs).
What are Repair Options After Inspection?
At this point, you are probably wondering, what are some of the repair options for faulty balconies and other EEEs? Well, balcony compliance law does not mandate repair methods, but at Weinstein Construction, we know how to get the job done! If the load-bearing components of an EEE show damage (e.g., deterioration due to wood rot, corrosion, or water intrusion), then Weinstein Construction’s professionals will provide you with a proposal for remediating and correcting the damage (typically, after an engineer creates remediation working plans). Having said that, it is important to note that the majority of inspections, especially those of newer buildings, will not show any damage, or perhaps just minor damage, which can be repaired as part of the building’s routine maintenance schedule. Read our Balcony Repair Costs in Los Angeles guide to understand pricing!
Avoid fines and schedule your inspection with Weinstein Construction today!
Learn more about Weinstein Construction’s Balcony Inspection & Repair Services that are designed to keep your property safe and compliant! We have been helping Los Angeles property owners comply with SB 721 for years! Although you may think that the inspection deadline of January 1, 2026 is far away, that may not exactly be helpful to you, as the Los Angeles region has thousands of apartment buildings that need inspection, but only a small number of trustworthy inspectors who can undertake repairs, if any are needed. So time is of the essence, and to stay SB 721 compliant, book your free balcony inspection consultation by calling Weinstein Construction today at (888) 412-8363!
