If you are a frequent reader of Weinstein Construction’s blog series, then you may already know that the State of California Senate Bill SB 721 balcony inspection law impacts thousands of property owners and managers in our Greater Los Angeles region. As such, this blog serves as a guide to explain what SB 721 compliance means, who must comply, and how one can stay ahead of the deadline to avoid costly penalties!
What is SB 721?
As an owner or manager of a multi-unit residential apartment in the City of Los Angeles, you likely already have, for many years, understood that your building had to have “Soft Story” earthquake retrofitting, as it was vulnerable to earthquake damage. Much in the same way, SB 721, the “Balcony Inspection Law,” now requires mandatory safety inspections, maintenance, and repair of a property’s damaged balconies, as well as other “Elevated Structural Elements” (also called “EEE” or “3E”).
This new law was passed in the aftermath of the collapse of an apartment building’s rotting 4th floor balcony, a tragic event which killed a number of young students in a Berkeley, California. The California state legislature passed this new law in 2019, among others, to ensure the safety of balconies and other EEE of residential apartment and condominium buildings.
Who Must Comply with SB 721 and when?
Owner and managers of multi-unit residential apartment buildings must comply with SB 721 if their properties have three or more units, as well as EEEs that are wood framed, elevated more than six feet above ground level, and are designed for human use. All such EEEs are required to undergo a thorough safety inspection by January 1, 2026, and thereafter, at least every six years. If you want to see a quick and convenient way that will tell you whether or not your building is actually subject to the Balcony Inspection Laws, check out this “Decision Tree”.
Note that safety inspections must be undertaken by specialized personnel such as a licensed architect, civil or structural engineer, or a specialty-license building contractor, who must document and report to local enforcement agencies relevant safety concerns such as wood dry rot, structural compromise, rust and corrosion, and wear to waterproofing features, etc.). If emergency repairs are necessary, they must be made immediately. We have prepared a short and instructive balcony law compliance video !
How to Schedule a Balcony Compliant Inspection
If SB 721 applies to your building, then your next step is to conduct some research in order to select a qualified balcony inspection and repair company to work with. As you check out balcony inspection and repair contractors, remember that it is in your best interest to pick a contractor that is fully licensed with the State of California. Because there are many risky construction companies that operate without a proper license (and outside the law), the best thing you can do is to verify the contractor’s license on the California Contractors State License Board (“CSLB”) website.
Moreover, you should evaluate the length of time that the contractor has been in business, and whether or not it has experience in inspecting and repairing balconies and other EEEs. You should select a company that has at least 10 years of experience in undertaking such work. Moreover, you should also pick a contractor that is both bonded and insured, which means that the contractor has acquired a surety bond, protecting you from property damage losses that are directly caused by the work being done, and has purchased insurance for the work.
Finally, it is important to choose a contractor that has a physical office and permanent in-house employees who not only work in the Greater Los Angeles region every day, but that are trained and certified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and are covered by Workers’ Compensation. This is important because many “fly by night” contractors work out of their truck with just voicemail and a Post Office Box, and hire day-laborers for the work that they do. This is all an indication that when something goes wrong, they may “ghost” you and just walk away. Don’t gamble with your property, use the right SB 721 contractors such as Weinstein Construction!
You should also note that as the regulatory balcony inspection deadline of January 1, 2026 looms closer, many experienced, licensed, bonded, and insured balcony repair contractors such as Weinstein Construction will be busy servicing existing clients. This means that the longer you wait to hire a contractor, the less likely you are to experience flexibility in pricing and scheduling!
Don’t delay, Weinstein Construction has been helping Los Angeles property owners with balcony compliance law for as long as the law has been around! Take the time now to call us today at (866) 623-5788 to schedule your free balcony inspection Los Angeles consultation. Take advantage of lower prices today and get help in planning for this important and mandatory inspection program! We will help you ensure that your EEE repairs are done right and for the right price!
Repair Options After Inspection
When a professional inspection reveals damage to your building’s EEEs (e.g., from wood rot, corrosion, or water intrusion), a capable contractor such as Weinstein Construction will work with you to design a plan to address such damage, prevent further deterioration, and ensure the safety of EEEs and their users. Weinstein Construction can do so at a reasonable cost that matches your budget! It’s important to note that the majority of inspections, especially in newer buildings, will show that EEEs typically have no damage, or only minor issues that can be addressed as part of the routine maintenance schedule for the building. Having said that, read our Balcony Repair Costs in Los Angeles guide to understand pricing
Owners must avoid fines and schedule an inspection with Weinstein Construction today! Don’t wait for the inspection deadline! Stay SB 721 Compliant—Book Your Balcony Inspection Now and have your property inspected earlier, rather than later. This will give you greater flexibility in scheduling an inspection, as well as lower costs for inspection and repairing any damages. At Weinstein Construction, we are experts in balcony inspections and repair – call us today at (866) 623-5788 to schedule a free “Balcony Law” consultation – get help in planning for this important and mandatory inspection program and take advantage of lower prices today!
