On August 30, 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill No. 326 (SB 326) which created Civil Code Section 5551, adding a requirement for Associations and multi-family properties to conduct regular inspection of balconies and other exterior structural elements supported by wood or wood-based products. The law went into effect on January 1, 2020.

Commonly referred to as the “balcony bill,” the legislation requires that “exterior elevated elements” be evaluated, inspected and, if necessary, repaired. The impetus for SB 326 was a tragic accident that claimed six lives and injured several others due to the failure of building components like balconies and railings as a result of deterioration and corrosion. The State of California seeks to prevent future injuries and loss of life by having these critical building components evaluated – and if necessary repaired – on a regularly scheduled basis. Any Association with three or more dwelling units in a building must comply with this law.

SB 326 is complex, and the legislation is not entirely clear, leaving room for misinterpretation. This has caused confusion and left Associations with uncertainty over what exactly is – or is not – needed and what steps should be followed. The team at Bergeman Group is here to help.

To bring clarity to your Association, Bergeman Group has developed a turnkey solution to address the requirements of SB 326, including evaluation by a structural engineer and management of any repairs found to be necessary. We offer this organized process to simplify SB 326 for your Association giving you confidence and peace of mind.