SB 721 Requirements: What California Multifamily Owners Must Know

California Health & Safety Code §17973 — commonly known as SB 721 — requires periodic inspections of Exterior Elevated Elements (EEEs) on apartment buildings with three or more multifamily units. Here's what every owner and property manager needs to know before the deadline.

Who it applies to

SB 721 applies to any building with three or more multifamily dwelling units that contains one or more EEEs — balconies, decks, stairways, walkways, or entry structures supported in whole or part by wood. Condominium associations fall under a separate statute, SB 326.

Key deadlines

• First inspection: complete by January 1, 2026
• Reinspection: every six years thereafter
• Emergency repairs (immediate hazard): begin within 15 days of the report
• Non-emergency repairs: permit application within 120 days, completion within 120 days of permit issue

Who can inspect

Inspections must be performed by a licensed architect, licensed civil or structural engineer, or a certified building inspector. The report must identify each EEE, describe its condition, and be signed and stamped by the inspecting professional. RetroCal is a CSLB-licensed General Building Contractor (License #985586) authorized under Health & Safety Code §17973 to perform SB 721 inspections, and we issue signed, code-compliant reports directly.

Reporting and retention

The inspection report must be delivered to the owner within 45 days of the inspection. Owners must retain reports for at least two inspection cycles (12 years) and provide them to prospective buyers on request. Local enforcement agencies may request copies at any time.