They are two separate California laws that require mandatory inspection of balconies, decks, and other exterior elevated elements on multifamily properties. Both were passed in response to fatal balcony collapses — most notably the 2015 Berkeley collapse that killed six people.
SB 721 applies to apartment buildings and rental multifamily properties. SB 326 applies to condominiums and common interest developments managed by an HOA. If you own or manage an apartment building, SB 721 is your law. If you’re dealing with a condo building or HOA, SB 326 is yours — and in Los Angeles, condo/HOA compliance questions go through LADBS rather than LAHD.
If you own or manage an apartment building or rental multifamily property in Los Angeles with three or more dwelling units, and the building has exterior elevated elements — balconies, decks, stairways, walkways, or similar structures — that are more than 6 feet above grade and rely on wood or wood-based structural support, your property is covered under SB 721 and the City of Los Angeles E3 inspection program administered by LAHD.
The initial inspection deadline for Los Angeles City multifamily apartment buildings under the E3 / SB 721 program was January 1, 2026. After that, inspections are required on a recurring cycle every six years — meaning the next required inspection cycle is January 1, 2032.
If your building hasn’t been inspected yet, you are already past the initial deadline. Contact us to get into compliance as quickly as possible.
The law requires inspection of all exterior elevated elements that meet all of the following criteria:
In practice, this typically means balconies, decks, porches, stairways, walkways, and entry structures. Not every single element needs to be inspected individually — the law requires that at least 15% of each type of exterior elevated element be inspected. So if your building has 20 balconies, at least 3 must be inspected. If conditions found during inspection suggest broader problems, the inspector may recommend a larger sample.
California law specifies who can legally conduct an SB 721 / E3 inspection. Qualified inspectors include:
City of Los Angeles employees may not conduct the inspection on behalf of the property owner. ARM Builders qualifies under the licensed general contractor category — we hold a Class B license (CSLB Lic. #915352) and have over 20 years of experience building and inspecting wood-framed multifamily structures.
After completing the inspection, the inspector is required to provide the property owner with a written, signed, and stamped report within 45 days. The report documents the condition of all inspected elements, identifies any deficiencies, and classifies whether repairs are required and on what timeline.
It depends on the severity.
If the deficiency is not an immediate safety emergency, the property owner has 120 days after receiving the written report to apply for a repair permit, and then 120 days after the permit is approved to complete the repairs. Extensions may be granted by the city if needed.
If the element is found to be unsafe — meaning it poses an immediate risk of collapse or injury — access must be blocked immediately and emergency repairs or shoring must begin right away. There is no grace period for unsafe conditions.
If required repairs are not completed after the statutory notice process, penalties can run $100 to $500 per day. The local jurisdiction also has the authority to record a building safety lien against the property. Beyond the financial penalties, the liability exposure from an uninspected or unrepaired structure that later fails is significant — both civilly and potentially criminally for property owners who were on notice of a deficiency.
After completing the inspection, the inspector is required to provide the property owner with a written, signed, and stamped report within 45 days. The report documents the condition of all inspected elements, identifies any deficiencies, and classifies whether repairs are required and on what timeline.
Our inspection covers all exterior elevated elements on your property that fall under the law. For each element, we conduct a six-point structural strength test of the deck surface, moisture meter readings in multiple areas, visual and physical inspection of railing posts, guardrails, handrails, connections to the building structure, waterproofing integrity, and signs of wood rot or moisture damage — which is the most common cause of structural failure in wood-framed balconies.
We inspect a minimum of 15% of each element type as required by law, and more if initial findings suggest broader deterioration. Everything is documented with photographs.
Within 14 days of completing the inspection — well within the 45-day window required by law. The report is written, signed, and stamped as required for compliance documentation.
No. ARM Builders is a licensed Class B General Building Contractor. If the inspection identifies deficiencies that require repair — rotted framing, failed waterproofing, compromised connections, structural reinforcement — we handle the repairs directly. Same team, no handoff. Once repairs are complete, we re-inspect and update the compliance documentation so your records are clean.
This is one of the most practical reasons to use a licensed contractor for the inspection rather than a standalone inspection service — you don’t have to start over with a new contractor if something needs to be fixed.
It depends on the size and complexity of the property. A smaller building with a handful of balconies can typically be completed in a few hours. Larger properties with multiple buildings, many units, or extensive stairway and walkway systems take longer. We’ll give you a time estimate when you schedule.
Yes. We inspect properties across Los Angeles County — apartments, condominiums, HOA communities, and mixed-use buildings.
Use the form at the top of this page or call us directly at (877) 755-1350. We’ll confirm which law applies to your property, assess the scope, and schedule at a time that works for you.
