SB 721 Compliance Support | Missed the Deadline?
SB 721 Balcony Inspections for Late or Missed Compliance
Missed the SB 721 inspection deadline? Our California licensed structural engineers provide inspection-only SB 721 assessments to help property owners document current conditions, reduce liability exposure, and establish a clear path toward compliance—even after the deadline.
SB 721 Compliance Support
Missed the SB 721 Deadline or Received a City Notice?
If you missed the SB 721 inspection deadline or recently received a notice from the City, it does not mean your situation is out of control. Many California property owners are in the same position. What matters now is taking the right next step with the right professionals. Our role is not to judge past timing—but to help you understand your current risk, document existing conditions, and establish a clear, defensible path toward compliance.
Not Sure What to Do Next?
You don't need to fully understand SB 721 requirements before reaching out. A short conversation with a licensed structural engineer can help clarify:
- Where your property currently stands
- Whether any immediate action is required
- What steps can help reduce ongoing risk and liability
Why You Need This
Risks of SB 721 Non-Compliance
Missing, delayed, or incomplete SB 721 inspections can create ongoing risk for California property owners. Even after the original deadline, unresolved compliance issues may continue to affect liability, insurance, and property transactions.
Common Risks After SB 721 Non-Compliance
- Potential civil penalties and enforcement actionsAfter notice from the City, unresolved SB 721 compliance issues may result in ongoing penalties until inspection and documentation are completed.
- Insurance non-renewal or coverage limitationsMany insurance carriers now require SB 721 inspection documentation for renewal and may limit coverage related to maintenance law requirements.
- Increased liability exposure after an incidentWithout a valid engineer inspection report, property owners may face reduced legal defenses if a balcony, stair, or railing failure occurs.
How Timely SB 721 Inspections Help Reduce Risk
- Document current structural conditionsA licensed engineer inspection establishes the present condition of exterior elevated elements, even if the original deadline was missed.
- Identify immediate safety concerns earlyEngineer-led inspections distinguish between urgent safety issues and non-emergency repair items.
- Support insurance and underwriting discussionsDocumented inspection reports help demonstrate good-faith compliance efforts to insurers and underwriters.
Why Property Owners Choose Cecilia Home
- Inspections by Licensed California Structural EngineersAll SB 721 inspections and reports are performed and stamped by PE/SE engineers with multi-family building experience.
- Inspection-Only Approach — No Repair ConflictWe do not perform construction or repairs, eliminating incentives to overstate findings or inflate scope.
- Forensic-Level Inspection MethodsOur process may include visual assessment, moisture testing, infrared scanning, and borescope investigation when conditions warrant.
Our Forensic-Level Inspection Process
What's Included in Our SB 721 Balcony Inspection
We inspect all Exterior Elevated Elements (EEEs) subject to SB 721, including balconies, decks, stairways, walkways, and railings that are wood-framed, exterior, and elevated over six feet above grade. Inspections meet or exceed the minimum statutory sampling requirements.
Phase 1: Visual & Surface Assessment
Systematic examination of all EEE components for visible defects: stucco cracks, discoloration, railing looseness, membrane damage, and improper drainage slopes. We document every element for your compliance records.
Phase 2: Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
When visual indicators suggest moisture intrusion, we deploy moisture meters and infrared thermography to map subsurface water damage—identifying 'wet pockets' hidden behind intact stucco before destructive testing.
Phase 3: Borescope & Invasive Investigation
For closed-soffit balconies (the highest-risk type), we create small inspection ports and insert fiber-optic cameras to directly observe wood joists for dry rot, fungal growth, and structural degradation—the invisible damage that killed 6 in Berkeley.
Phase 4: PE-Stamped Compliance Report
Comprehensive written report documenting all findings, code compliance status, risk classification (Immediate Hazard / Repairs Required / Safe), and prioritized repair recommendations. Stamped and certified by a California-licensed structural engineer.
Why You Need This
Risks of SB 721 Non-Compliance
Missing, delayed, or incomplete SB 721 inspections can create ongoing risk for California property owners. Even after the original deadline, unresolved compliance issues may continue to affect liability, insurance, and property transactions.
Common Risks After SB 721 Non-Compliance
- Potential civil penalties and enforcement actionsAfter notice from the City, unresolved SB 721 compliance issues may result in ongoing penalties until inspection and documentation are completed.
- Insurance non-renewal or coverage limitationsMany insurance carriers now require SB 721 inspection documentation for renewal and may limit coverage related to maintenance law requirements.
- Increased liability exposure after an incidentWithout a valid engineer inspection report, property owners may face reduced legal defenses if a balcony, stair, or railing failure occurs.
How Timely SB 721 Inspections Help Reduce Risk
- Document current structural conditionsA licensed engineer inspection establishes the present condition of exterior elevated elements, even if the original deadline was missed.
- Identify immediate safety concerns earlyEngineer-led inspections distinguish between urgent safety issues and non-emergency repair items.
- Support insurance and underwriting discussionsDocumented inspection reports help demonstrate good-faith compliance efforts to insurers and underwriters.
Why Property Owners Choose Cecilia Home
- Inspections by Licensed California Structural EngineersAll SB 721 inspections and reports are performed and stamped by PE/SE engineers with multi-family building experience.
- Inspection-Only Approach — No Repair ConflictWe do not perform construction or repairs, eliminating incentives to overstate findings or inflate scope.
- Forensic-Level Inspection MethodsOur process may include visual assessment, moisture testing, infrared scanning, and borescope investigation when conditions warrant.
Our Features
Why Choose Cecilia Home?
Licensed, experienced, and trusted across California—we deliver precise designs, clear communication, and reliable results for every project.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE
Licensed architects and engineers with deep knowledge of California codes, ensuring accurate, compliant, and build-ready designs.
CLIENT-CENTERED APPROACH
Clear communication and personalized guidance at every step, ensuring your vision stays at the center of the project.
COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS
From design to permit approval, we provide complete, end-to-end services that save you time and streamline your project.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
All plans meet California building standards, with rigorous checks to ensure safety, accuracy, and long-term performance.
FAST & EFFICIENT DELIVERY
Our optimized design workflow allows us to deliver complete, permit-ready plans in as fast as 7 days—without compromising quality.
LOCAL EXPERIENCE
Expert understanding of California’s building styles, climate needs, and local city requirements for successful permits.
Articles & Insights
Expert tips, design guides, and practical insights to help you plan and execute your California home projects with confidence.
SB 721 FAQ
Essential Questions About California's Balcony Inspection Law
Get clarity on deadlines, requirements, and compliance strategy for SB 721.
Haven't found what you're looking for?
SB 721 (California Health & Safety Code §17973) mandates inspection of exterior elevated elements on all rental multi-family buildings with 3+ units that have wood-framed balconies, decks, stairways, or walkways elevated 6+ feet above grade. It applies to apartments, boarding houses, student housing, and assisted living facilities—but NOT condominiums (which fall under SB 326). Buildings with permits filed after January 1, 2019 have their first inspection due 6 years after Certificate of Occupancy.
The initial inspection deadline is January 1, 2026 (extended from 2025 by AB 2579), with follow-up inspections every 6 years thereafter. Missing the deadline triggers civil penalties of $100–$500 per day after a 30-day notice period. Additionally, local authorities can record safety liens against your property—blocking refinancing and sales until resolved. Most critically, your insurance carrier may cancel coverage, and any accident without a valid report exposes you to 'negligence per se' in court.
SB 721 limits inspectors to: (1) Licensed architects, (2) Licensed civil or structural engineers (PE/SE), (3) General contractors (A, B, or C-5 license with 5+ years multi-story wood construction experience), or (4) ICC-certified building inspectors not employed by local government. While contractors are permitted under SB 607 amendments, insurance companies and legal teams prefer PE/SE-stamped reports due to their higher credibility and broader professional liability coverage.
SB 721 covers rental apartments (governed by Health & Safety Code), while SB 326 covers condominiums and HOAs (governed by Civil Code §5551). Key differences: SB 326's deadline was January 1, 2025 (no extension); SB 326 requires statistically significant sampling (95% confidence), while SB 721 requires minimum 15%; SB 326 inspections must be by architects or structural engineers only—no contractors allowed. Mixed-use buildings or condo conversions may need to comply with both.
SB 607 (2021) created a significant conflict of interest by allowing contractors to both inspect and repair. Contractors have financial incentive to classify 'repairable' issues as 'replacement needed' to expand project scope. An inspection-only firm like Cecilia Home has no repair revenue motive—our only incentive is accuracy. This matters enormously for: (1) avoiding inflated repair costs, (2) credibility in insurance claims, and (3) defensibility in litigation where contractor reports face inherent skepticism.
Industry data suggests 20–30% of older balconies require some level of repair. Common findings include: waterproof membrane failure, early-stage wood rot in joists, corroded metal connectors, improper drainage slopes, and deteriorated caulking. If our inspection identifies issues, we provide detailed repair specifications and prioritization. For 'Immediate Hazard' findings, you have 15 days before we're legally required to notify local authorities; for non-emergency repairs, you must obtain permits within 120 days and complete repairs within 120 days after permit approval.