LA Construction Consultants LA Construction ConsultantsSB 326 & SB 721 Compliance Repairs 424-946-8057
SB 326 & SB 721 · Exterior elevated element inspections

SB 326 & SB 721 balcony inspections across Los Angeles.

Two California laws require inspection of the balconies, decks, stairways, and walkways on multifamily buildings. SB 721 covers rental buildings with three or more units. SB 326 covers condominium and HOA-governed buildings. Both first deadlines have now passed. We coordinate the qualified inspection and, if it finds repairs, carry them through to a documented closeout.

Licensed California General Contractor Los Angeles based, since 1988 Inspection coordinated & repairs in-house
Two laws, two clocks

Both first-inspection deadlines have already passed

SB 326 and SB 721 both require a periodic inspection of your building's exterior elevated elements by a qualified professional. The first deadline for each has come and gone, and from here the re-inspection cycle is fixed by statute.

Jan 1, 2025
SB 326 first-inspection deadline for condos and HOAs, then every 9 years
Jan 1, 2026
SB 721 first-inspection deadline for rentals, extended by AB 2579, then every 6 years
≥ 15%
of each type of exterior elevated element must be inspected under both laws
Who needs which

SB 721 or SB 326: it depends on how your building is owned

The two laws do the same job for two different building types. The quickest way to tell them apart is to look at whether your building is rented or governed by an association.

SB 721: rental apartments

  • Covers: rental buildings with three or more residential units
  • First deadline: January 1, 2026 (extended by AB 2579)
  • Re-inspection: every 6 years
  • Who inspects: a licensed architect, civil or structural engineer, a qualified contractor, or a certified building inspector
  • Non-compliance: $100 to $500 per day after a 30-day notice (per statute)

SB 326: condos & HOAs

  • Covers: condominium and HOA-governed buildings (community associations) with three or more units
  • First deadline: January 1, 2025
  • Re-inspection: every 9 years, aligned with the reserve study
  • Who inspects: a licensed structural engineer or architect only (stricter than SB 721)
  • Report: goes to the association board and into its records
What gets inspected

The exterior elevated elements, and the waterproofing under them

Both laws target the same thing: the load-bearing components made of wood or wood-based material that sit more than six feet above the ground, and the waterproofing that protects them. A qualified inspector examines at least 15% of each type.

Balconies, decks & landings

The elevated surfaces residents stand on, plus the railings and guardrails that enclose them.

Stairways & walkways

Exterior stairs and elevated walkways more than six feet above the ground, and their supports.

Load-bearing framing & waterproofing

The wood structural framing, connections, flashing, and waterproofing membranes that keep it all sound.

Inspect, then repair

One firm coordinates the inspection and carries the repair

Most inspection outfits stop at the report. We coordinate the qualified inspection, and when it turns up repairs, we do the work, so nothing stalls in the gap between finding a problem and fixing it.

1

Book & coordinate

We schedule the inspection with a qualified, licensed professional appropriate to your law (a structural engineer or architect for SB 326).

2

Inspection & report

The inspector examines at least 15% of each element type and issues the written report your law requires.

3

Scope, budget & permits

If repairs are identified, we clarify the scope, probable cost, and pull the permits and any engineering required.

4

Repairs & closeout

We complete the work and hand you the documentation that supports compliance and sets your re-inspection clock.

Why owners and boards call us

The contractor behind the compliance

Plenty of firms will inspect your building. Far fewer can actually carry the repair through permitting, construction, and closeout. We coordinate the inspection and do the repair, so you have one point of contact from the first finding to the final sign-off.

  • One coordinated point of contact for inspection and repair
  • Practical budgeting and scope clarification
  • Occupied-building repair coordination
  • Clear communication with boards, owners, and managers
  • Photo documentation and closeout records
Led by Gordon Myers

Licensed General Contractor

Over 30 years in Los Angeles real estate and construction, beginning in 1988. A client-first approach built on expertise, integrity, and personal dedication, for apartment owners, property managers, HOA boards, and asset managers.

What clients say

Trusted on real projects

Any construction is extremely high risk and stressful. Gordon assured me he would be instrumental in minimizing that concern. Through all my skepticism, it was easy, so I would use him and his contractor again.

— William H.

Having worked with the City of LA consistently, LACC were able to get the inspectors there relatively quickly and this helped us meet our deadlines. We needed the project completed in record time. It worked out, thank you LACC.

— Michael M.

Had a very good experience working with Gordon. I was always informed and had no surprises along the way.

— Codie H.
Gordon Myers, founder of LA Construction Consultants
Gordon Myers, FounderReal estate and construction in Los Angeles since 1988, guiding owners and boards from the first finding to the final approval. One call handles every concern along the way.
Where we work

Serving Los Angeles & Southern California

Based in Sherman Oaks, working across the LA metro and surrounding cities.

Los AngelesSherman OaksSanta MonicaBeverly HillsLong BeachGlendalePasadenaBurbankVan NuysWest HollywoodCulver CityTorrance
Questions owners & boards ask

SB 721 and SB 326, in plain English

What's the difference between SB 721 and SB 326?
They're the same idea for two different building types. SB 721 covers multifamily rental buildings with three or more units and requires re-inspection every six years. SB 326 covers condominium and HOA-governed buildings and requires re-inspection every nine years, performed by a licensed structural engineer or architect. Both are exterior elevated element inspection laws, not seismic retrofit requirements.
How often do I have to inspect?
SB 721 is every six years. SB 326 is every nine years, and that cycle is meant to line up with the association's reserve study. The first deadlines have already passed: January 1, 2025 for SB 326 and January 1, 2026 for SB 721 (extended by AB 2579).
Who needs a balcony inspection?
Any multifamily building with three or more units that has wood-framed balconies, decks, exterior stairways, or walkways more than six feet above the ground. Rentals fall under SB 721; condos and HOAs fall under SB 326. Buildings with only concrete or steel elements, or fewer than three units, are generally outside both laws. Use the checker above if you're not sure.
What exactly gets inspected?
The "exterior elevated elements": balconies, decks, landings, exterior stairways, and walkways, along with their railings, the load-bearing wood framing beneath them, and the waterproofing that protects it. A qualified inspector examines at least 15 percent of each type of element and issues a written report.
Can you inspect and repair together?
We coordinate the qualified inspection and, when it finds repairs, carry them through construction and closeout. The inspection itself is performed by the licensed professional the law requires; we handle the coordination and the repair work, so you have a single point of contact from the first finding to the final documentation.
Who is allowed to perform the inspection?
For SB 326, only a licensed structural engineer or architect. For SB 721, a licensed architect, a licensed civil or structural engineer, a qualified and experienced contractor, or a certified building inspector. We coordinate with qualified inspection professionals and carry the repair side of the work.
What does an inspection cost?
It varies with building size, the number of elements, and how much access the inspector needs. As a rough market estimate, not a quote from us, visual inspections often run $300 to $500 per element, and a whole-building inspection commonly lands somewhere between $5,000 and $20,000. We don't put a number on your building until we've seen it.
Free 30-second check

Which balcony law applies to my building?

Answer three quick questions. We'll show you which law applies, the deadline, how often you re-inspect, and who is allowed to perform it, before you give us anything.

Question 1 of 3

What kind of building is it?

This is the single biggest factor in which law applies.
Book your inspection

Get your building on the schedule and a plan to compliant

Tell us about the property and we will come back with next steps. No pressure, no obligation. If it is faster, call us directly.

424-946-8057
Mon–Fri · Sherman Oaks, serving all of LA
What happens after you submit
1Instant capture. Your request is logged the second you hit submit.
2Fast callback. A licensed GC follows up within one business day.
3Inspection & report. We coordinate the qualified inspection and the written report.
4Repairs if needed. If the report finds repairs, we scope, permit, and complete them.
Book your inspection
A licensed GC will review your property and follow up within one business day.
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