Balcony Inspection & Repair per SB-721 (California Law)

SkillSee — Licensed General Contractor (Class B), Los Angeles, CA

In January 2025, California officially entered a new era of building safety. The deadlines for mandatory balcony inspections under SB-721 and SB-326 have passed, and enforcement is now tightening across cities and counties.

If your property includes balconies, walkways, decks, stair landings, or any elevated exterior structure supported by wood and located more than 6 feet above ground, you are legally required to complete an official inspection and, if needed, repair any unsafe conditions.

This page explains everything you need to know as a property owner — including legal requirements, penalties for non-compliance, inspection timelines, repair expectations, and why working with SkillSee gives you maximum safety, compliance, and peace of mind.

1. What Is SB-721? (Official Law Link)

Official text: California SB-721 Bill Text

SB-721 is a California state law adopted after the tragic Berkeley balcony collapse in 2015, which resulted in 6 deaths and major lawsuits. The purpose of the law is to ensure the safety of Exterior Elevated Elements (EEE) — any exterior structure that:

• is more than 6 feet above ground,
• is designed to be occupied or walked on,
• relies on wood or wood-based components for structural support.

These elements include:

• Balconies
• Decks
• Elevated walkways
• Landings
• Staircase platforms
• Exterior corridors
• Any external structure supporting live loads

SB-721 applies specifically to multi-family buildings with 3 or more units (triplex, four-plex, 6-unit, 10-unit, 20-unit buildings, etc.) that are rented to tenants.

2. What Is SB-326? (Official Law Link)

Official text: California SB-326 Bill Text

SB-326 applies to Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and condominium buildings. The requirements are similar to SB-721, but the inspection can only be performed by:

• Licensed Structural Engineers (SE)
• Licensed Civil Engineers (PE)
• Licensed Architects

Unlike SB-721, general contractors cannot conduct the inspection for HOAs — but they can (and must) complete all the repairs identified by the engineer.

3. Deadlines — Why Most Properties Are Now Out of Compliance

Both laws required the first inspection to be completed by January 1, 2025.

Today, most properties in California are now officially out of compliance. Cities have begun issuing:

• Violation notices
• Fines and penalties
• Pressure from code enforcement
• Restrictions on renting unsafe units
• Requirements to immediately repair hazardous conditions

This is why now is the most critical time to complete your inspection and repair any unsafe components with a qualified contractor like SkillSee.

4. Penalties and Fines for Not Complying With SB-721 / SB-326

Penalties Under SB-721 (Rental Buildings)

SB-721 enforcement is codified in the California Health & Safety Code § 17973: HSC §17973

Failure to comply can lead to:

• Civil penalties up to $500 per day until the violation is corrected
• “Unsafe” or “substandard” property designation
• City-ordered emergency repairs
• Inability to rent units until issues are fixed
• Major liability in case of injury or structural failure

Penalties Under SB-326 (HOA)

HOAs that fail to comply may face:

• Lawsuits from unit owners
• Special assessments for emergency work
• Loss of insurance coverage or increased premiums
• Personal liability for HOA board members
• Fines and enforcement actions from local jurisdictions

5. Why This Law Exists — Real Risks: Collapse, Rot, Structural Failure

The law was created after multiple collapses in California caused by hidden wood deterioration. Without inspection, moisture penetrates the waterproofing layer and damages:

• Joists
• Beams
• Ledger boards
• Cantilever supports
• Waterproof membranes
• Fasteners and connectors

This leads to:

• Balcony failure
• Partial or full collapse
• Serious injuries
• Deaths
• Multi-million dollar lawsuits

A major court case after the Berkeley collapse resulted in tens of millions of dollars in settlements and destroyed property owner reputations.

Waiting is not an option — California courts increasingly treat balcony failures as gross negligence if no inspection was performed.

6. Who Must Get an Inspection (SB-721 Scope)

SB-721 applies to:

• Apartment buildings with 3 or more units
• Mixed-use buildings with residential units
• Rental buildings of any size (3+ units)

SB-721 does not apply to:

• Single-family homes
• Duplexes
• Commercial properties without residential units

If your building has a balcony or exterior elevated elements over 6 ft — and is rented to tenants — you are legally required to comply.

7. What an SB-721 Inspection Includes

A qualified inspector must evaluate the following:

Structural Integrity of Wood Components

Checking for rot, fungal decay, moisture penetration, termite damage, and corrosion of fasteners.

Condition of Waterproofing and Flashing

Failures in waterproofing and flashing are responsible for the majority of balcony damage.

Load-Bearing Capacity

Ensuring the structure supports the designed live loads safely.

Visible and Concealed Damage

Inspection may include moisture meters, borescopes, and partial openings of finishes to view concealed elements.

Safety and Code Compliance

Evaluating guardrails, connections, clearances, and fire-safety related items.

The final deliverable is a signed inspection report, which must be kept for at least two inspection cycles (12 years).

8. Who Can Perform SB-721 Inspections?

According to the law, inspections may be performed by:

• Licensed General Contractors (Class B) – allowed only if they are NOT the building owner
• Licensed Civil Engineers
• Licensed Structural Engineers
• Licensed Architects

SkillSee is a licensed General B contractor and is fully authorized to conduct inspections for SB-721 rental properties in California.

For SB-326 (HOA), inspections are performed by our partnered licensed engineers, and SkillSee provides the full repair and waterproofing scope after the engineer’s report.

9. SkillSee’s Full-Cycle Balcony Safety Program

For SB-721 (Rental Buildings)

We perform the full inspection ourselves. As licensed General B contractors, we provide:

• On-site structural inspection of balconies and elevated elements
• Moisture detection and condition assessment
• Waterproofing and flashing evaluation
• Safety and code-compliance review
• Full written report with recommendations
• Photographic documentation of all findings
• Priority scheduling for repair work

This allows property owners to complete everything in one place — quickly, legally, and efficiently.

For SB-326 (HOA Buildings)

We coordinate state-licensed engineers and perform all required repairs.

SkillSee works with verified Structural and Civil Engineers who prepare:

• Balcony inspection reports for HOAs
• Integration with reserve studies
• Repair recommendations and scope of work
• Compliance documentation for the association

After the engineer’s report, SkillSee performs all required structural and waterproofing repairs. Our clients benefit from:

• Consistent quality and workmanship
• Competitive and transparent pricing
• Modern waterproofing and structural technologies
• Seamless coordination with HOA boards and managers
• Minimized disruption for residents

10. Balcony Repair Services by SkillSee

Structural Repair

• Replacement of rotten joists, beams, and supports
• Repair or replacement of ledger boards
• Reinforcement of cantilevered balcony structures
• Seismic and load upgrades where required
• Structural re-framing and correction of improper construction

Waterproofing & Protection

• Full replacement of waterproof membranes (EnduroKote, polyurethane, elastomeric, fiberglass systems)
• Correction of slope and drainage to prevent standing water
• Proper flashing installation and integration with stucco or siding
• Repair of stucco and exterior wall interfaces around balconies

Finish Improvements

• Decking replacement (wood, composite, or other systems)
• Railing repair or replacement for safety and aesthetics
• Stair landing and exterior walkway restoration

All work is performed according to current California Building Code requirements and industry best practices.

11. Why Property Owners Choose SkillSee

• Licensed & insured California General Contractor (Class B) — we meet all legal requirements for SB-721 inspections and structural repairs.
• Full compliance with California balcony safety laws — we help you pass inspections and avoid fines.
• Turnkey solution — from inspection (for SB-721) to full repair and waterproofing.
• Modern waterproofing systems — including EnduroKote, polyurethane membranes, elastomeric and fiberglass systems.
• Transparent pricing — clear quotes, written reports, and photo documentation.
• Experience with complex and hillside properties — especially in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Glendale, and surrounding areas.
• Fast scheduling — most inspections are completed within 1–3 days, repairs within 1–3 weeks depending on scope.
• Reduced liability and risk — we help protect you from lawsuits, claims, and enforcement actions.

12. The Consequences of Delay — Real Legal Risks

If the city discovers unsafe balcony conditions or a lack of required inspection, consequences may include:

• Daily fines up to $500 per day
• Orders to vacate unsafe units
• Emergency repair mandates
• Increased insurance premiums or cancelled coverage
• Lawsuits from tenants and injured parties
• Potential criminal negligence charges in severe collapse cases

California courts often treat “failure to inspect” as a serious aggravating factor when an accident occurs. It is far more cost-effective to complete a timely inspection and repair than to deal with litigation and emergency work later.

13. How Much Do SB-721 Inspections Cost?

Typical inspection cost ranges:

• $350–$450 for a small triplex
• $550–$850 for mid-size 4–8 unit buildings
• $850–$2,500+ for large 20–40 unit buildings

Pricing depends on:

• Number of balconies and elevated elements
• Accessibility and height
• Need for opening finishes to inspect hidden framing
• Number of units and total building size

Repairs can vary significantly depending on the extent of structural damage and waterproofing failure. SkillSee provides detailed, itemized estimates so you know exactly what you are paying for.

14. Get a Professional Balcony Inspection & Repair Quote

SkillSee offers:

• SB-721 balcony inspections for rental properties
• SB-326 engineer-coordinated inspections for HOAs and condominiums
• Full structural repair and framing correction
• Balcony and deck waterproofing restoration
• Fast, compliant inspection reports
• Service across Los Angeles County and Orange County

Contact SkillSee Today

Don’t wait for a violation notice, a tenant complaint, or, worse, a structural failure. Proactive inspection and repair is the safest and most cost-effective way to protect your building and your investment.

Contact SkillSee for a balcony inspection and repair consultation:

• Phone: (213-666-6142)
• Website: https://skillsee.pro