SB326/E3 Compliance Inspection for Southern California Condos & HOAs
California Senate Bill 326 (SB 326) was introduced to help ensure the safety of residents living in multifamily condominium buildings. The law mandates the inspection of exterior elevated elements—such as balconies, decks, walkways, and stairways—to check for structural safety risks like rot, water damage, and structural deterioration.
Missed the SB 326 Inspection Deadline? Here's What You Need to Do
The deadline for this inspection was January 1, 2025, and now, property owners and Homeowners Associations (HOAs) face the risk of non-compliance. If your inspection is past due, the first step is to schedule an inspection as soon as possible.
Great Escape Service & Inspection specializes in SB 326 compliance inspections and offers a seamless process to help property managers, owners, and HOAs get back on track.
Additionally, SB 326 inspections must be conducted every nine years, so it's essential to stay on track with future inspections to prevent problems and ensure safety.
Who is responsible?
Homeowners Associations (HOAs)
Property Managers tasked with HOA oversight
Property Sellers who must address EEE compliance before sales
How Great Escape Service & Inspection Can Help
At Great Escape Service & Inspection, we specialize in SB326 inspection services throughout California, from the Greater Los Angeles Area to San Francisco.
We take pride in offering the highest level of expertise to ensure your property remains safe, compliant, and well-protected.
Our certified inspectors ensure that your inspection is thorough, accurate, and fully compliant with SB 326. We offer timely inspections to meet your needs, even if you're already past the deadline.
Planning to Sell Your Condo? Here’s What You Need to Know About SB326 Inspections
If you're planning to sell a condo in Southern California, a completed and compliant SB326 Balcony Inspection is essential. Under Senate Bill 326, HOAs must have structural inspections of exterior elevated elements (like decks and balconies) on file. Incomplete or outdated SB326 reports can delay or derail your sale, as buyers and lenders often require proof of compliance to move forward.
Although title companies don’t perform SB326 inspections, many now require documented proof of a completed inspection—and any related disclosures—before processing ownership transfers. Ensuring your HOA has fulfilled its SB326 obligations protects all parties involved and helps facilitate a smooth, legally compliant transaction.
Why Choose Us for Your SB326 Inspections?
We’re the right choice for your SB326 inspections in California because of our experienced inspectors, timely & professional service, comprehensive & clear reports, and more:
Experienced Inspectors: Our team of certified inspectors is highly skilled in SB326 regulations and California’s balcony inspection laws.
Timely & Professional Service: We understand the importance of meeting SB326 compliance deadlines and offer prompt, professional services.
Serving Areas Near You: Whether you’re in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Sacramento Area, or other major cities in California, we provide inspection services near you.
Comprehensive & Clear Reports: Receive detailed, easy-to-understand reports that outline the findings and necessary actions.
Process of SB 326 Balcony Inspections
1. Scheduling Your Inspection
Contact Great Escape Service & Inspection to schedule your SB 326 balcony inspection. We offer flexible scheduling options to minimize disruption to your property or residents. In addition, we provide free on-site detailed estimates for your convenience.
2. Detailed Inspection
Our team of experienced, certified inspectors will conduct a thorough evaluation of your property’s elevated elements, including balconies, decks, walkways, and stairways. We’ll look for any signs of damage or structural issues that may pose safety risks, such as rot or water damage.
We also perform borescope inspections on over 94% of each structure type, allowing us to assess internal conditions that are not visible from the surface.
3. Comprehensive Report & Findings
After the inspection, we’ll provide you with a detailed, easy-to-understand report. This will include our findings, a description of any issues discovered, detailed photo documentation, and actionable recommendations to address them. Our goal is to ensure your property remains safe and compliant with SB 326 regulations.
4. Follow-Up & Next Steps
If repairs are necessary, we’ll connect you with trusted contractors who can carry out the required work. Once the repairs are complete, we offer a re-inspection to ensure everything meets SB 326 compliance standards. Our team will guide you through the entire process, ensuring your property remains compliant at every step.
Frequently Asked Questions
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An SB-326 balcony inspection is a California state-mandated safety inspection required for condominium and HOA-managed communities. It ensures that all balconies, decks, stairways, catwalks, and elevated walkways (known as exterior elevated elements or EEEs) are structurally sound and free of hazards such as rot, corrosion, or water damage.
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The Homeowners Association (HOA) board is responsible for hiring a licensed structural engineer or architect to perform the SB-326 inspection. The HOA must ensure that all shared or exclusive-use balconies are inspected before the state compliance deadline and that records are maintained for future inspections.
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Under California Civil Code Section 5551, SB-326 inspections must be completed at least once every nine (9) years. The first inspection cycle must be completed by January 1, 2025. After that, inspections recur every nine years to maintain ongoing compliance.
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A proper SB-326 inspection involves:
Visual and physical examination of balconies, decks, catwalks, and railings
Checking for wood rot, moisture intrusion, corrosion, and structural damage
Documenting findings in a written report with photos and repair recommendations
Submitting results to the HOA board and maintaining them in the association’s records
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Failure to comply with SB-326 inspection requirements can result in legal liability and financial risk for the HOA. If a balcony or deck failure occurs and no inspection records exist, the association and its board members may be held responsible for negligence and code violations.
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Both laws aim to ensure balcony safety, but they apply to different property types.
SB-721 covers apartment and multifamily rental buildings.
SB-326 covers condominium and HOA communities.
The inspection timelines, reporting requirements, and responsible parties differ accordingly.
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Great Escape Service & Inspections provides licensed SB-326 balcony inspections throughout Southern California. Our team handles the inspection, reporting, and repair coordination for HOAs, ensuring full compliance with California Civil Code 5551. We also provide photo-documented reports and guidance for future maintenance planning.
