Summary
SB-326: New requirements are for structural engineering and maintenance, and make recommended upgrades. SB-721: New requirements elevated exterior elements such as balconies, stairways, and other elevated structures for wood-framed structures in multifamily buildings of three or more units.
If you are a property owner, condo association member, real estate professional, or building manager in California, you play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of your community. The collapse of the multi-story complex in Florida in 2021, which cost 93 lives, underscores the need for more regulations requiring inspections for structural integrity. Your proactive approach can prevent such tragedies.
75% of the condo complexes that are 30 years or older, as well as all apartment complexes and commercial properties, are deficient in engineering across the entire USA.
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This is a complex subject because older buildings that require upgrades are expensive, and the occupants cannot afford higher association fees to pay for them. However, now they have no choice, as many are seeing a doubling of the HO fees.
Senate Bill 326 mandates inspections from qualified professionals to ensure the structural integrity of condo complexes by January 1, 2026, and every 9 years thereafter. SB 721 requires inspections of three or more multifamily units on the same date.
If urgent repairs are required, they must be completed immediately. Other needed repairs, such as fixing cracked walls, repairing leaky roofs, or replacing outdated plumbing, will be addressed within 120 days from receipt of the report.
An earlier bill, SB 721, that took effect in 2019, requires inspections of elevated exterior elements such as balconies, stairways, and other elevated structures for wood-framed structures in multifamily buildings of three or more units. Those non-immediate repairs, which are less urgent but still important for safety, were given 120 days to make repairs, but emergency conditions were given only 15 days.
Work required improvements, including structural framing, guardrails, and waterproofing elements, are included. Oversight is provided by local municipalities, which are responsible for enforcing these laws and ensuring compliance. However, it's important to note that each city may have varying regulations, which could impact the cost and timeline of necessary upgrades.
These laws, which have been passed in many states, are not just about compliance. They are about enhancing structural integrity, improving safety, increasing transparency, and streamlining development processes for condos and multifamily. They offer a brighter future for the industry, and we're here to guide you through the changes.
Research:
https://www.nrcia.org/sb-721-new-law-update/
https://www.calassoc-hoa.com/hot-news-and-newsletters/law-requiring-balcony-inspections-sb-326/
https://caanet.org/newsom-signs-bill-extending-deadline-for-balcony-inspections/