Protect residents, preserve asset value, and stay fully compliant with California requirements
Exterior elevated elements — balconies, walkways, decks, and stair landings — are exposed to weather and hidden moisture damage. SB721 and SB326 place clear obligations on owners and HOAs to inspect and document those elements. At PAR Construction we combine practical field expertise with compliant, photo-documented reporting so you get the facts and the solutions.
Know the price up front — no surprises during inspection and reporting.
Stamped/sealed reports where required and photo evidence for every flagged element.
If repairs are needed we can manage design, permitting, and construction — end to end.
Any owner or manager of buildings with three or more dwelling units that contain exterior elevated elements (balconies, decks, walkways) is required to comply with SB721 / SB326 inspection rules. This includes condominiums, apartments, and mixed-use properties with elevated walking surfaces.
Par Construction can confirm your building’s specific deadline and provide a documented timeline and checklist.
Balcony and exterior walkway inspections are essential to maintain structural safety and compliance with California's SB721 and SB326 laws. Over time, exposure to weather can weaken materials, causing hidden decay and corrosion. Proactive inspections ensure early detection, therefore, saving property owners from costly damage and risk exposure.
Inspections must be completed by a licensed architect, civil/structural engineer, or qualified contractor as defined by the statutes and local policy. We at PAR Construction are not only qualified but set the standard.
To read the entire inspection law, click here
We issue immediate notifications for hazards and provide emergency mitigation recommendations and costs so you can act quickly to protect residents.
Standard delivery is within 15-30 days from the site visit; expedited reporting options are available for urgent needs.
SB-326 primarily addresses the safety and structural integrity of balconies in buildings governed by homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and condominiums. In contrast, SB-721 primarily focuses on the safety and maintenance of buildings, including apartments and commercial structures, through regular inspections and adherence to certain standards.
SB-326 HOA requires periodic inspections of balconies in buildings governed by homeowners’ associations HOA’s. These inspections must be conducted by qualified inspectors to ensure the structural integrity and safety of balconies. Inspections are mandated to be carried out every nine years for buildings with elevated exterior elements. Distinctly, SB-721 Apartments requires periodic inspections of the entire building, including common areas and individual units, in apartments and commercial buildings. Inspections must be conducted by qualified inspectors to assess the overall safety and maintenance of the building. Inspections are required every six years for buildings with three or more units.
To read the entire inspection requirements under california law, click here.
Typically, the cost of repairs to balconies is covered by the HOA’s reserve funds or through special assessments levied on homeowners within the association. The law may outline specific procedures for allocating funds, determining the responsibility of individual homeowners, and prioritizing repairs based on the severity of safety concerns.
SB-721 Apartments does not specify provisions for funding repairs directly. The responsibility for funding repairs to address safety concerns identified during building inspections typically falls on the building owner or management entity. Building owners may use various means to finance repairs, including allocating funds from operating budgets, obtaining financing, or passing repair costs on to tenants through lease agreements.
Call us, request a proposal online, or use the quick inquiry form — we’ll confirm deadlines and provide a fixed-cost inspection proposal.
California Senate Bill 721 (SB721) was enacted in response to the 2015 tragic deck collapse at the Library Gardens Apartments resulting in the deaths of six people and serious injury to seven more. SB721 legislation requires inspection of all Exterior Elevated Elements (EEE) of apartment communities prior to January 1, 2025 and every six years thereafter.
California Senate Bill 326 (SB326) was enacted in response to the 2015 tragic deck collapse at the Library Gardens Apartments resulting in the deaths of six people and serious injury to seven more. SB326 legislation requires the inspection of all Exterior Elevated Elements (EEE) of common interest communities prior to January 1, 2025, and every nine years thereafter.
Should initial inspections identify conditions that effect the structural integrity of Exterior Elevated Elements, We offer a complete package of services to assist in the repair of the affected element(s). Our services include architectural and structural design of repairs, permit application, bid preparation and management, and more.
Finding a licensed structural engineer is crucial when you need professional expertise in assessing, designing, or inspecting the structural integrity of a building or infrastructure. Structural engineers play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and stability of structures, for both homes and commercial buildings.
PAR’s engineering partners can provide a report detailing the current condition of the Exterior Elevated Elements at your property for the purpose of estimating the cost of repairs. This design should then be submitted to the authority with jurisdiction for permitting and then to a contractor for bidding.
