The exterior structures of apartment buildings had gone for years without proper attention. Property managers focused only on cosmetic repairs—repainting railings, replacing deck boards, sealing cracks. But no one looked inside the load-bearing elements. Damage accumulated behind the cladding, remaining invisible to both residents and repair crews. The situation changed after a balcony collapse in Berkeley in 2015. Six people died, and seven more were injured. The investigation showed that the wooden beams had rotted from the inside, even though the structure looked solid on the outside.
In response, California passed two laws—SB 721 and SB 326. Both laws require regular inspections of balconies, terraces, exterior staircases, and elevated walkways more than six feet above ground level. The company Decks and Balcony (https://abdinspections.com/) specializes precisely in this: conducting inspections, preparing compliance documentation, and carrying out repairs or full reconstruction when necessary. The deadlines for initial inspections under both laws have already passed, and property owners who have not complied face fines of up to $500 per day.
Two laws — two types of property
Bill SB 721 applies to rental housing: apartment buildings with three or more units, triplexes, student housing, senior living complexes, and mixed-use properties. The law is codified in Section 17973 of the California Health and Safety Code. The first inspection deadline was set for January 1, 2025, with repeat cycles every six years. Inspections may be conducted by a licensed contractor, architect, or engineer. The law requires invasive testing of at least 15 percent of each type of exterior elevated element—meaning the inspector opens sections of cladding to check the actual condition of hidden beams, support boards, and fasteners.
Bill SB 326 applies to condominiums and any property managed by a homeowners association. It falls under Section 5551 of the Civil Code. The rules here are stricter: inspections may only be carried out by a licensed architect or structural engineer—a contractor without such qualifications is not permitted to perform the inspection. The repeat inspection cycle is every nine years, but the responsibility is deeper. The HOA board must not only organize the inspection but also report the results to every unit owner in the complex. If the inspector identifies critical defects, repairs must begin within 180 days. Board members bear personal fiduciary responsibility—meaning liability rests on individual board members, not just the association as a whole.
What can be hidden behind the cladding?
California’s climate is deceptive. Temperature fluctuations between day and night lead to condensation, occasional but heavy rains put stress on waterproofing systems, and coastal salt air accelerates corrosion. Moisture penetrates through tiny cracks in membranes and settles on wooden structures. Rot begins unnoticed—the surface may look perfectly normal while inside it turns into a crumbling mass.
That is why both laws require invasive inspections rather than simple visual checks. The inspector carefully opens small sections of cladding and uses endoscopic cameras to assess the internal condition of the structure. Key areas of focus include:
- Load-bearing beams and support boards where they connect to walls—the most common points of moisture accumulation.
- Structural connectors and metal fasteners—checked for corrosion and loosening.
- Waterproofing membranes, roofing materials, and sealants—whether they still provide effective protection.
- Drainage slopes and overall efficiency of water management systems.
- Railings and guardrails—resistance to lateral loads and compliance with height requirements.
After testing, all opened areas are properly restored. The results are documented in a detailed report with photographs of each identified defect, ranked by urgency for repair.
How Decks and Balcony manages this process
The team handles each project from start to finish without involving third-party contractors. This eliminates the need for blame-shifting between inspectors and repair crews.
- Consultation — the team determines which legislation applies to the property, calculates the number of elements requiring inspection, and prepares a transparent estimate with no hidden fees.
- On-site assessment — a thorough inspection of all exterior structures using endoscopic equipment for internal diagnostics.
- Invasive testing of selected areas, followed by careful restoration of each opened section.
- A detailed report with photo documentation, defect classification, and prioritized repair recommendations.
- Repair work carried out by their own construction team using waterproofing systems from Trex, TimberTech, Redwood, and Westcoat—with warranties of up to five years.
Each major project is supervised by a manager with over a thousand completed inspections. He is personally present on-site and responsible for quality at every stage.
What happens if you keep putting it off?
Fines are just the tip of the iceberg. Each day without the required inspection can cost up to $500, and a single violation noted by a municipal inspector may result in a fine of up to $5,000. Insurance companies have the full right to deny claims if the property has not undergone the mandatory inspection. And if an accident occurs on an uninspected property, the owner will be in a highly vulnerable legal position.
For HOA board members, the stakes are even higher. The law places personal liability directly on them, and unit owners may file a class-action lawsuit for failure to meet safety requirements in common areas. Do not wait until the problem catches up with you—contact AbdInspections, and we will help bring your property into full compliance with California regulations.
