Orange County & Los Angeles
SB-326 Balcony Repair for Condo HOAs
KneppKraft is a licensed General Engineering and Building contractor serving Orange County and Los Angeles. Your engineer or architect does the inspection the law requires; we make the repairs the report calls for.
SB-326 puts balcony repair on the association.
SB-326 added Civil Code § 5551 to California law. It says that “at least once every nine years, the board of an association of a condominium project shall cause a reasonably competent and diligent visual inspection to be conducted by a licensed structural or civil engineer or architect.”
The inspector’s written report must include “recommendations for any necessary repair or replacement of the load-bearing components and associated waterproofing system.” Keeping them safe is “the responsibility of the association.”
Your engineer inspects. We repair.
The law names who inspects: a licensed structural or civil engineer or architect. KneppKraft is the licensed contractor that takes the report and makes the repairs it lists, working with your board, your management company and your engineer.
Looking for an SB-326 inspection company? Start with an engineer or architect. Once the report is in hand, send it to us.
How it goes
From inspection report to finished repair.
Review
We read your inspection report and walk the property.
Scope
A clear repair scope and schedule for the board.
Repair
Structural repair or replacement of the flagged elements.
Close Out
Sign-off with the local enforcement agency.
SB-326 questions HOA boards ask
What does SB-326 require?
Civil Code § 5551(b) requires the board of a condominium association to have a licensed structural or civil engineer or architect visually inspect a random, statistically significant sample of its exterior elevated elements at least once every nine years. Under § 5551(a), those are the load-bearing parts of balconies, decks, stairways and walkways more than six feet above ground and supported in whole or in substantial part by wood, along with their waterproofing. Under § 5551(e), the report must include recommendations for any necessary repair or replacement.
Is KneppKraft an SB-326 inspection company?
No. The statute gives the inspection to a licensed structural or civil engineer or architect. KneppKraft is the licensed General Engineering and Building contractor, CA Lic. #547307AB, that makes the repairs the report recommends. Send us the report and we will scope the work. (§ 5551(b)(1))
When is the inspection due?
The first inspection had to be completed by January 1, 2025, then every nine years after that, in coordination with the reserve study inspection. A building whose permit application was submitted on or after January 1, 2020 is due no later than six years after its certificate of occupancy. Repair timing depends on what your report finds; we set the schedule with your board once we have read it. (§ 5551(i), (k))
Who signs off?
The inspector stamps or signs the report and presents it to the board. If the inspector finds an element is an immediate threat to occupant safety, the report also goes to the local code enforcement agency within 15 days, and the association must keep occupants off that element until repairs have been inspected and approved by the local enforcement agency. (§ 5551(f), (g))
Report in hand?