SB 326 and SB 721 · Exterior elevated element inspections
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.
Two laws, two clocks
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.
SB 326 first-inspection deadline for condos and HOAs, then every 9 years
SB 721 first-inspection deadline for rentals, extended by AB 2579, then every 6 years
the minimum share of each type of exterior elevated element that must be inspected under both laws
Who needs which
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
SB 326
What gets inspected
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.
The elevated surfaces residents stand on, plus the railings and guardrails that enclose them.
Exterior stairs and elevated walkways more than six feet above the ground, and their supports.
The wood structural framing, connections, flashing, and waterproofing membranes that keep it all sound.
Inspect, then 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.
We schedule the inspection with a qualified, licensed professional appropriate to your law, a structural engineer or architect for SB 326.
The inspector examines at least 15% of each element type and issues the written report your law requires.
If repairs are identified, we clarify the scope, probable cost, and pull the permits and any engineering required.
We complete the work and hand you the documentation that supports compliance and sets your re-inspection clock.
Why owners and boards call us
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.
In their words
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.
Real 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.
Gordon Myers, Founder
Where we work
Based in Sherman Oaks, working across the LA metro and surrounding cities.
Questions
They are 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.
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.
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.
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 do not put a number on your building until we have seen it.
Request an inspection
Six details is all we need to get started. We will come back to you with the next step for your building and its law.
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Prefer to talk it through? 424-946-8057