RED ALERT FOR OWNERS OF APARTMENT BUILDINGS!

STATE-MANDATED SB 721 INSPECTIONS NEED TO BE COMPLETED BY JAN. 1, 2026
*(ORIIGINAL DEADLINE WAS JAN. 1, 2025 BUT THE STATE HAS EXTENDED THE DEADLINE FOR ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR).

HISTORY LEADING UP TO SENATE BILL 721

Senate Bill 721 (SB 721) was signed into law in 2018 following a catastrophic structural failure in Berkely, California. This horrific balcony collapse resulted in the deaths of six college students. Along with the deaths, several other people were left with serious injuries after falling 40 feet to the street below. In response, an investigation determined that dry rot at the cantilevered balcony joists, likely caused by hidden moisture intrusion, allowed the wood framing members to catastrophically fail without warning. This balcony collapse was especially concerning as the building was only ten years old.

REQUIRED INSPECTION OF “EXTERIOR ELEVATED ELEMENTS” 

The SB 721 legislation created a special category of high risk building components in the California Building Code called “Exterior Elevated Elements” (EEE) defined as: all elevated decks, balconies, landings, stairway systems, walkways, guardrails, and handrails, or any parts thereof that are exposed to the weather and with a walking surface more than 6 feet above ground level. The EEE definition applies to components that are wood framed or rely on wood framing for their support. In addition to creating this new category, SB 721 imposes new safety, inspection, and enforcement standards for all apartment buildings with 3+ units. The intent of this law and its enforcement is to protect against future tragedies.  Every owner of apartment buildings in California with 3+ units is required to have the building’s EEE inspected by a specially qualified, third-party expert before JAN. 1, 2026 and then every 6 years thereafter. What makes this legislation notable is that the State of California is forcing apartment owners to hire third-party inspectors as the first line of enforcement mechanism. This differs as traditionally the local enforcement agency would fulfill this role. San Diego Home Inspection, Inc. is the local expert in SB 721 compliance and has the relevant expertise and professional qualifications required to help apartment building owners and property managers navigate this new and complex regulatory environment.

AVOID THE RUSH TO MEET THE JAN. 1, 2026 DEADLINE

As mentioned above, owners of apartment buildings in California with 3+ units are required to have the building’s Exterior Elevated Elements (EEE) inspected by a specially qualified third-party expert before JAN. 1, 2026.  As the deadline quickly approaches, we encourage you to contact San Diego Home Inspection, Inc. so we can make every effort to streamline the SB 721 compliance process.  Don’t be stuck in that herd and be forced to overpay or hire an unqualified inspector. Also, don’t risk fines of $100 – $500 per day, building safety liens, and other enforcement mechanisms that the local government agency may levy. We strongly encourage owners of apartment buildings to start this process as soon as possible.