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Stay compliant.
Stay safe.

San Diego balcony & deck repair for SB 326 & SB 721 — licensed contractors for condos, apartments, and multi-family buildings, from inspection support to final sign-off.

Exposed wood framing under an elevated walkway on a San Diego apartment building
01 Opened up
Landing rebuilt with new plywood decking behind safety tape at Oak Valley
02 Rebuilt
Rooftop deck finished with a new waterproof coating and a repainted steel guardrail
03 Sealed & signed off
Balcony edge resurfaced and the steel guardrail repainted on a multi-family building
Multi-family balcony: deck resurfaced, guardrail reset and repainted
SB 326 & SB 721

What are SB 326 & SB 721?

Two California laws covering the same thing — Exterior Elevated Elements — on two kinds of building, on two different clocks. Here's the breakdown you need to know.

They were created to prevent accidents by requiring regular inspections of EEEs like balconies, decks, stairways, and walkways, especially those with wood framing or supports more than 6 feet off the ground. If your property qualifies, you're legally required to complete inspections and repairs by the January 2026 deadline.

Get a compliance review

Two laws.
One deadline.

Which one you fall under depends on how the building is owned, but both end in the same place: an inspection report, repairs, and documentation on file.

LawWho It Applies ToInspectionDeadline
SB 326Condo HOAs with 3+ unitsEvery 9 yearsJan 1, 2025
SB 721Apartment buildings with 3+ unitsEvery 6 yearsJan 1, 2026

What needs to be inspected?

If your building has balconies, decks, stairways, walkways, or patios that are more than 6 feet above ground and rely on wood or wood-based materials, it likely falls under these laws.

Private balcony with a new deck surface, ready for sign-off
Private balcony — new deck surface
01

Load-bearing wood structures

Framing, joists, beams, posts, and supports.

02

Waterproofing, flashing & coatings

Damaged seals are a leading cause of balcony water damage and wood rot.

03

Decks with wear or water damage

Especially those showing dry rot or aging finishes.

04

Balconies & walkways in multi-unit buildings

Used daily by tenants and residents.

05

Railing systems & guardrails

Critical to structural and occupant safety, and must be compliant.

Elevated walkway at Oak Valley resurfaced end to end
Oak Valley — walkway resurfaced end to end

How the process works
with GW.

We simplify the entire compliance process from the first inspection to final sign-off. Whether you're working with a licensed engineer or need help finding one, we make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

01

Inspection support

We connect you with licensed structural engineers or architects familiar with SB 326 and SB 721 requirements in San Diego.

02

Repair estimate & proposal

Once your inspection report is complete, we review the findings and provide a clear, line-by-line estimate.

03

Permit handling & planning

We handle all required documents and coordinate with your city's building department to avoid delays.

04

Waterproofing & structural repairs

Deck restoration, wood rot repair, and full structural rebuilds, brought back to code safely and efficiently.

05

Final review & documentation

We inspect every detail to ensure your Exterior Elevated Elements meet code, and you keep the paperwork.

Compliance work, on site.

See the project

Why property owners trust GW

Compliance work gets inspected, documented and signed off, so it should be done by a contractor who does it every week.

Licensed, bonded & insured California CSLB #1125098.
15+ years, all of it local San Diego homes and multi-unit since 2006.
SB 326 & SB 721 compliant Repairs built to the letter of both laws.
Paperwork for your board Every repair closed out on the record.

Not sure if your building qualifies?

Inspections and repairs take time, and contractor availability is already tightening across San Diego. Let GW Construction help you navigate the process with confidence.

Get a Compliance Review