SB-721 Balcony Inspection & Repair
KneppKraft is a licensed contractor in LA and Orange County, and California requires exterior elevated elements, balconies, decks, stairs, and walkways, on apartment and multifamily buildings to be inspected and repaired. KneppKraft is licensed to both inspect and repair, so you deal with one contractor from finding to fix.
If you own apartments with wood balconies, this is your obligation.
SB-721 applies to buildings with three or more multifamily dwelling units. It requires periodic inspection of exterior elevated elements (EEEs), balconies, decks, stairs, and walkways more than six feet above the ground that are substantially supported by wood, followed by repair of anything found unsafe. Inspections repeat every six years, and when an inspector flags an immediate hazard, repairs are required and reported to the local building department.
Missing the requirement carries escalating civil penalties and can complicate insurance, so the practical question for most owners now isn’t whether, it’s who repairs it.
Does it apply to you?
- Apartment / multifamily, 3+ units
- Wood-supported balconies, decks, stairs, walkways
- Six feet or more above grade
- Condos / HOAs fall under SB-326 instead
Not sure which law applies? Ask us.
The rare contractor licensed to inspect and repair
SB-721 inspections may be performed by contractors holding A, B, or C-5 licenses. KneppKraft holds California’s General Engineering (A) and General Building (B) license, so we can assess your elevated elements, and as a structural specialist, make the repairs ourselves. No handoff between an inspector who finds the problem and a contractor who fixes it.
Inspect
Evaluate balconies, decks, stairs & walkways for SB-721 compliance.
Document
Findings and the repairs required to bring elements up to code.
Repair
Structural repair or replacement of unsafe elements, done right.
Certify
Close it out with the building department and reset your cycle.
Already have an inspection report?
Send it over: we’ll scope the repairs and get your building compliant.
SB-721: what your rental building has to do.
If you own the building and rent the units, SB-721 is yours. It covers apartment and multifamily rental buildings with three or more units, and the duty sits with the owner. Individually owned units instead? SB-326 puts the same duty on the HOA.
| SB-721 | SB-326 | |
|---|---|---|
| Building type | Apartment / multifamily rental, 3+ units | Condominium or planned development, 3+ units |
| Who is responsible | The building owner | The association |
| Inspection cycle | Every six years | Every nine years |
| Who performs the inspection | Contractors holding an A, B or C-5 license | A licensed structural engineer or architect |
| What KneppKraft does | Inspects and repairs | Completes the repairs the report requires |
Not sure if your building is SB-721? Send the owner notice or the report and we’ll confirm.
Get a Balcony AssessmentGet your balconies inspected and repaired, by one contractor.
Licensed to inspect and repair SB-721 exterior elevated elements across LA and Orange County.
Get a Balcony Assessment