EEE Compliance Ordinances

Inspection Compliance Guide

Stay compliant with California's stringent balcony,  deck, and facade requirements. Protect your property and tenants with Rain Defense's expert inspection and repair services.

 

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SB 721 (H&S §17973)

California (statewide)
📅 2019 (operative Jan 1 2019)
🏢 Every 6 years (≥15% sampling)
⏱️ Every 6 years (≥15% sampling)
⚠️ Jan 1 2026 (AB 2579 extension)

Details

Key Requirements & Details: City Building Dept. provides FAQs & submittal portal; earlier inspection required for condo conversions; uses state law timelines.

Qualified Inspectors: Rentals – SB 721: architect, civil/struct engineer, CA GC (A/B/C-5) w/ 5 yrs multistory wood-frame experience, or ICC-certified building inspector. Condos – SB 326: licensed architect or civil/struct engineer only (must be independent of HOA & repair contractor).

Enforcement / Penalties: Code Compliance case, fines, unsafe designation possible

Notes & Sources: No separate ordinance—city enforces SB 721/326 deadlines

SB 326 (Civil Code §5551)

California (statewide)
📅 2020 (operative Jan 1 2020)
🏢 Condominium / HOA buildings (3+ units) with wood-based EEEs ≥6 ft above grade
⏱️ Every 9 years (statistical sample, 95% CI ± 5%)
⚠️ Jan 1 2025

Details

Key Requirements & Details: Licensed architect/engineer must inspect a statistically significant sample; immediate threat findings reported to city within 15 days; board must restrict access until repaired; report retained in HOA records for 2 cycles.

Qualified Inspectors: Licensed architect, civil or structural engineer

Enforcement / Penalties: City can cite HOA; liability for failure to inspect; fines under local code

Notes & Sources: Signed 2019; Civil Code §5551 added effective 1-1-2020

SF Housing Code §604

San Francisco
📅 2003 (Ordinance 192-02, passed Sept 17 2003)
🏢 All apartment & hotel buildings with exterior decks, balconies, exit corridors, stairs, guardrails
⏱️ Every 5 years (affidavit filing)
⚠️ Rolling—affidavit required within 5 yrs of Certificate of Final Completion (CFC) or previous filing

Details

Key Requirements & Details: Licensed architect, engineer, or contractor inspects for structural integrity & waterproofing; owner files notarized §604 affidavit with Department of Building Inspection (DBI); defects must be corrected under permit.

Qualified Inspectors: Licensed architect, engineer, or CA contractor (A/B/C)

Enforcement / Penalties: Code‑enforcement case; $200 first‑time & $400 repeat daily fines; potential placarding

Notes & Sources: First Bay-Area EEE rule; rolling 5-yr cycle thereafter

SF Ord. 67‑16 (Façade Inspection & Maintenance Program)

San Francisco
📅 2016 (effective June 5 2016)
🏢 Buildings ≥5 stories (or >75 ft) constructed ≥ 20 yrs ago
⏱️ Comprehensive every 10 yrs + supplemental waterproofing check at 5 yrs
⚠️ Staggered by age; 1926‑1970 group due Dec 31 2025

Details

Key Requirements & Details: Licensed architect/engineer performs hands‑on & binocular inspection of façades incl. attached balconies; report & maintenance plan filed with DBI; safety repairs under permit.

Qualified Inspectors: Licensed architect or engineer (facade experience)

Enforcement / Penalties: Daily fines; recorded liens; immediate hazard abatement orders

Notes & Sources: Applies to buildings ≥ 5 stories; 10-yr/5-yr checks

BMC 19.40 E3 Program

Berkeley
📅 2015 (enacted July 14 2015)
🏢 All buildings (apartments & condos) with EEEs
⏱️ 6 yrs (SB 721 – multifamily rentals); 9 yrs (SB 326 – condo/HOA)
⚠️ Apartments: Mar 31 2022; Condos: Jan 1 2025

Details

Key Requirements & Details: 100% of EEEs (apartments) or statistical sample (condos) inspected by licensed architect/engineer; affidavit of compliance filed; penalties for late filing; repairs within timelines mirrored from SB 721.

Qualified Inspectors: Licensed architect, engineer, or city‑approved inspector

Enforcement / Penalties: Admin citations, re‑inspection fees, referral to City Attorney

Notes & Sources: City-specific rules predating SB 721/326

Redwood City Code §9.52

Redwood City
📅 2022 (Ord. 2520 adopted Nov 28 2022; in force 30 days later)
🏢 Multifamily & commercial decks/balconies with wood EEEs
⏱️ 6 yrs (SB 721 – multifamily rentals); 9 yrs (SB 326 – condo/HOA)
⚠️ Same as state (2025 / 2026)

Details

Key Requirements & Details: Ordinance adopts Health & Safety Code §17973 for apartments and Civil Code §5551 for condos; city requires report or exemption form.

Qualified Inspectors: Architect, engineer, or A/B/C‑5 contractor

Enforcement / Penalties: Each day of violation separate offense; admin citations & liens

Notes & Sources: Locally adopts state balcony laws

Oakland EEE Guidance

Oakland
📅 2022 (city portal & FAQ released April 2022)
🏢 Buildings covered by SB 721 & SB 326
⏱️ 6 yrs (SB 721 – multifamily rentals); 9 yrs (SB 326 – condo/HOA)
⚠️ Jan 1 2026 / Jan 1 2025

Details

Key Requirements & Details: City Building Dept. provides FAQs & submittal portal; earlier inspection required for condo conversions; uses state law timelines.

Qualified Inspectors: "Rentals – SB 721: architect, civil/struct engineer, CA GC (A/B/C-5) w/ 5 yrs multistory wood-frame experience, or ICC-certified building inspector. Condos – SB 326: licensed architect or civil/struct engineer only (must be independent of HOA & repair contractor)."

Enforcement / Penalties: Code Compliance case, fines, unsafe designation possible

Notes & Sources: No separate ordinance—city enforces SB 721/326 deadlines

San Jose EEE Guidance

San Jose
📅 ≈ 2022 (page launched after AB 2579 update)
🏢 Buildings covered by SB 721 & SB 326
⏱️ 6 yrs (SB 721 – multifamily rentals); 9 yrs (SB 326 – condo/HOA)
⚠️ Jan 1 2026 / Jan 1 2025

Details

Key Requirements & Details: City Code Enforcement requires inspection report or exemption; new buildings exempt for first 6 yrs after CFC.

Qualified Inspectors: "Rentals – SB 721: architect, civil/struct engineer, GC (A/B/C-5) w/ 5 yrs, or ICC-certified building inspector. Condos – SB 326: architect or civil/struct engineer only."

Enforcement / Penalties: Administrative fines until submission approved

Notes & Sources: City relies on SB 721/326; page reflects 2026 deadline extension

Fremont EEE Guidance

Fremont
📅 2023 (site live under 2022–23 code update)
🏢 Multifamily & condo buildings with wood EEEs
⏱️ 6 yrs (SB 721 – multifamily rentals); 9 yrs (SB 326 – condo/HOA)
⚠️ Jan 1 2025 (first cycle)

Details

Key Requirements & Details: City enforces state laws; owners/HOAs must upload inspection report or exemption via Citizen Access; flowchart guidance provided.

Qualified Inspectors: "Rentals – SB 721: architect, civil/struct engineer, GC (A/B/C-5), or ICC-certified building inspector. Condos – SB 326: architect or civil/struct engineer only."

Enforcement / Penalties: Administrative penalties per FMC 1.20; liens

Notes & Sources: City page directs compliance with state law; first cycle due 2025

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