IMPACT OF SENATE BILL’S 721 AND 326
Passed by the California Senate in response to the tragic loss of life resulting from the collapse of a Berkeley apartment building balcony in 2015, California’s new balcony laws will have a financial impact on all owners of apartment facilities with elevated decks, balconies, and walkways in the state of California.
To read the full text of SB-721 (Section 2, Article 2.2), Click Here To read the full text of SB-326, Click Here
Photo Showing: Berkeley balcony collapse.SB-721 Key Points
- A minimum of 15% of each type of elevated element (decks, porches, stairways, and walkways) must be inspected by a certified independent inspector prior to January 1st, 2025.
- Any exterior elevated element found to be in need of repair or replacement must be corrected by the property owner.
- The greater the threat to the safety of the occupants, the sooner repairs must take place.
- Local building departments can assess penalties up to $500 per day for non-compliant facilities.
- Re-inspections must take place every 6 years, and property owners must keep inspection reports available for a minimum of 2 inspection cycles.
- Property owners are responsible for continued and ongoing maintenance.
- Click here to read full text version of Senate bill SB-721
Understanding the Balcony Law requirements and scheduling the required inspections ahead of the deadline will ensure your facility becomes compliant and remains compliant. With over 500,000 facilities to be inspected before the 2025 deadline, it is unlikely that all facilities will receive their inspections before the cutoff date. To ensure your facility becomes compliant and remains compliant, we recommend that you act quickly to save both time and money.
SB-326 Key Points
- A 95% statistical sample of the exterior elevated elements must be inspected.
- Inspections assess the current physical condition of the load bearing components along with their projected life span.
- Findings must be visually inspected by a licensed Architect or Engineer every 9 yrs. beginning 1/1/2025.
- Any exterior elevated element found to be in need of repair must be corrected.
- The greater the threat to life and safety the sooner the repairs must take place.
- Local building departments can assess fees for non-compliant facilities
- Click here to read full text version of Senate bill SB-721
Understanding the Balcony Law requirements and scheduling the required inspections ahead of the deadline will ensure your facility becomes compliant and remains compliant. With over 500,000 facilities to be inspected before the 2025 deadline, it is unlikely that all facilities will receive their inspections before the cutoff date. To ensure your facility becomes compliant and remains compliant, we recommend that you act quickly to save both time and money.
