August 28, 2024
Avoid a costly penalty of up to $500 per day! Make sure that your HOA or multi-unit building has been properly inspected by January 1, 2025.
California passed two "Balcony Inspection Laws", which require an inspection of all exterior elevated elements, including balconies, decks, porches, stairways, walkways, and entry structures (including supports and railings) that extend beyond exterior walls of the building and include walking surfaces.
Balcony inspection requirements stem from two different laws. SB 721, passed in 2018, applies only to apartment buildings. SB 326, passed a year later, applies only to condo associations. These two laws are largely the same, although the time periods for inspections and who can complete those inspections are different.
The laws were prompted by the high-profile collapse of a balcony in Berkeley that led to several fatalities in 2015. The intent is to prevent similar accidents and ensure the health and safety of residents, so if the inspector finds that there is damage to the exterior elements listed above, repairs might be in order. In that case, you'll have 120 days to apply for permits, and another 120 days to complete the work.
Thereafter, condo buildings will need to be inspected every 9 years, and multi-unit buildings every 6 years.
Vertex Engineering has an excellent explainer on the process and requirements which you can find HERE.
Bottom line: If you're a condo resident, make sure to check with your HOA board to ensure that your building has been inspected and is compliant. If you're a landlord with a 3+ unit building, call an inspector ASAP and get the wheels turning so that you're in compliance come Jan 1st.
Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.
June 30, 2025
Our City by the Bay hosts a range of street fairs, music festivals, cultural and sporting events all summer long. Check out our guide to the best of the Bay Area's sum… Read more
June 27, 2025
Did you purchase a new home in the Bay Area in the past five-plus years? First, congratulations! Usually with the excitement of (finally) purchasing a home, comes the … Read more
June 27, 2025
The moral of this success story isn't what you think. Curious? Read on….
June 27, 2025
Best Real Estate Brokerage in the Bay? AGAIN!?
June 27, 2025
You may have noticed recently that inflation has been… a thing. The cost of just about everything is up, including things like building insurance, elevator maintenance… Read more
June 17, 2025
In the last two weeks, there have been 7 home sales in San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood. Closed listings range in price from $649,000 to $3,350,000. The clo… Read more
June 17, 2025
In the last two weeks, there have been 20 home sales in the Sunset District. Closed listings range in price from $913,440 to $7,100,000. The closed listings had a medi… Read more
June 17, 2025
In the last two weeks, 13 homes sold in San Francisco's Noe Valley neighborhood. The closed listings range in price from $1,063,000 to $4,100,000. The listings have a … Read more
June 15, 2025
In the last two weeks, there has been 12 home sales in San Francisco's Westside neighborhoods. The closed listings range in price from $1,325,000 to $3,250,000. The cl… Read more
You’ve got questions and we can’t wait to answer them.