SB 721 deck and balcony inspections in Southern California
California's SB 721 requires buildings with three or more units to have their exterior elevated elements inspected: balconies, decks, stairways, walkways and railings. Cert-A-Roof's Cert-A-Deck® inspections sample at least 15% of each element type and deliver a photo report within 24 hours.
- Applies to
- Buildings with 3+ units
- Sample
- At least 15% per type
- Cycle
- Every 6 years
- Report
- Within 24 hours
What SB 721 requires from building owners
SB 721 was approved in September 2018 after the 2015 Berkeley balcony collapse. It covers load-bearing exterior elements that sit more than six feet above ground and rely on wood or wood-based products. The first round of inspections was due by January 1, 2026, and the cycle repeats every six years.
If you own a building that missed the first round, the useful answer is simple: book it now. Penalties include per-day fines and safety liens, and they don't get smaller with time.
| Law | Who it covers | How often |
|---|---|---|
| SB 721 | Apartment buildings with 3+ units | Every 6 years |
| SB 326 | Condominium associations (HOAs) | Every 9 years |
What the Cert-A-Deck® report includes
The report is compiled within 24 hours of the inspection. Property managers use it for owners, boards, insurers and tenants, which is why we write it to be read by all four.
- The current condition of each exterior elevated element inspected
- Expected future performance and projected service life
- Recommendations for further inspection and maintenance
- Recommendations for any repair or replacement, with photographs
Balconies, decks, stairways and walkways
Inspectors check the visible structure and the waterproofing that protects it: guardrails and their attachment, flashing at the building wall, signs of dry rot or fungus, sagging, corrosion of connectors, and drainage. Where moisture is suspected, the inspection goes further on the sampled elements.
“I received the roof inspection report the next day and was extremely pleased with how detailed the report was and all the pictures to go along with the report.”
SB 721 Deck Inspection questions
Which buildings need an SB 721 inspection?
SB 721 applies to buildings with three or more multifamily dwelling units that have exterior elevated elements, such as balconies, decks, stairways and walkways more than six feet above ground and supported by wood.
How often are SB 721 inspections required?
SB 721 inspections repeat every six years. The first round was due by January 1, 2026. Condominium buildings under SB 326 are inspected every nine years.
How many balconies have to be inspected?
SB 721 requires a random sample of at least 15% of each type of exterior elevated element. Cert-A-Roof inspects at least that sample and expands it where findings call for it.
How fast do I get the SB 721 report?
Cert-A-Roof compiles the Cert-A-Deck® report with photographs, problem areas and recommended solutions within 24 hours of the inspection.
Related services
- Roof InspectionA four-hour look at the whole roof, inside and out, with a photo report and a fixed price in 24–48 hours.
- Roof Leak RepairWe find where the water actually gets in, photograph it, fix it and put a written warranty on the repair.
- LeakFREE® Roof CertificationA service agreement on the whole roof. If it leaks from normal wear during the term, we fix it at no cost.
Book a roof inspection
Tell us about the property and what's going on. We confirm the time, the price and what the inspection covers before anyone climbs a ladder. Reports follow in 24 to 48 hours.
888-ROOF-800 · scheduling@certaroof.com