What is the SB 326 inspection deadline for HOAs in Los Angeles?

The initial SB 326 inspection deadline for all California HOAs, including those in Los Angeles, was January 1, 2025. After the initial inspection, follow-up inspections are required every nine years. If your Los Angeles HOA has not yet completed the inspection, you should act immediately to avoid civil penalties of up to $500 per day.

How much does an SB 326 inspection cost in Los Angeles?

SB 326 inspection costs in Los Angeles typically range from $5,000–$15,000 for a 50-unit community, depending on the number of balconies and elevated elements. Larger Los Angeles communities may pay $20,000–$50,000 or more. Costs vary by inspector and the complexity of the structures.

Who can perform SB 326 inspections in Los Angeles?

SB 326 inspections in Los Angeles must be performed by a licensed structural engineer or architect. The inspector must be independent — they cannot be employed by or have a financial interest in any company that performs repairs on the inspected elements. Ask your Los Angeles building department for a list of qualified inspectors.

What happens if our Los Angeles HOA fails the SB 326 inspection?

If an SB 326 inspection in Los Angeles identifies conditions requiring repair, your HOA must complete repairs within 120 days of the inspection report. If conditions pose an immediate safety threat, the inspector must notify the Los Angeles building department, and the HOA must restrict access to the affected area immediately.

Does SB 326 apply to single-family HOAs in Los Angeles?

No. SB 326 applies only to condominium associations (CIDs with attached units) in Los Angeles and throughout California. Single-family home HOAs are not subject to SB 326 balcony inspection requirements. However, SB 721 imposes similar requirements on apartment buildings with three or more units.

SB 326 Balcony Inspection in Los Angeles: Requirements & Costs (2026)

Los Angeles has the largest number of HOA-governed units in California. The city has its own rent stabilization ordinance (RSO) that interacts with Davis-Stirling provisions in mixed-use developments. LA County also has unique seismic retrofit requirements that affect HOA reserve planning.

What Is SB 326?

Senate Bill 326, signed into law in 2018, requires all condominium associations in California to conduct inspections of exterior elevated elements — including balconies, decks, walkways, and elevated stairways — by January 1, 2025. The law was passed after the 2015 Berkeley balcony collapse that killed six people and injured seven others.

Under SB 326, a licensed structural engineer or architect must perform a visual inspection of a statistically significant sample of exterior elevated elements. If the inspector finds conditions that pose an immediate threat to safety, the association must take preventive measures immediately, including restricting access to the affected area.

Key Deadlines and Requirements

The initial inspection deadline was January 1, 2025. After the initial inspection, associations must conduct follow-up inspections at least once every nine years. Repairs identified as necessary must be completed within 120 days of the inspection report, unless an extension is granted by the local enforcement agency.

The inspection report must be delivered to the HOA board within 45 days of the inspection. The board must distribute a copy of the report to all members within 15 days of receiving it. Failure to comply can result in civil penalties of up to $500 per day.

Inspection Costs

SB 326 inspection costs vary by community size and location. For a typical 50-unit condominium, expect to pay $5,000–$15,000 for the initial inspection. Larger communities with hundreds of balconies may pay $20,000–$50,000 or more. Repair costs are separate and depend on the severity of findings.

HOA boards should budget for inspections in their reserve fund study. If your reserves are insufficient, you may need to levy a special assessment to cover inspection and repair costs.

SB 326 Balcony Inspection in Los Angeles

SB 326 Inspection Considerations in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has the largest number of SB 326-covered condo buildings in California. The city's diverse building stock — from 1960s high-rises in Century City to 2000s podium-style condos in Downtown LA — means inspection findings vary dramatically by neighborhood and construction era. HOAs in LA should select inspectors with experience in their specific building type, as the structural systems and common failure modes differ significantly between wood-frame, steel, and concrete construction.

The intersection of SB 326 and LA's soft-story retrofit program is a critical consideration. Many older condo buildings in neighborhoods like West Hollywood, Santa Monica-adjacent areas, and the Eastside are subject to both programs. Boards should coordinate SB 326 inspections with any pending retrofit work to avoid duplicating engineering assessments and potentially combine structural repairs for cost efficiency. LADBS can confirm whether your building is on the soft-story retrofit list.

SB 326 Balcony Inspection Requirements in Los Angeles, California

What Is SB 326?

Key Deadlines and Requirements

Inspection Costs

SB 326 Balcony Inspection in Los Angeles

Local Ordinances & Requirements

SB 326 Inspection Considerations in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Building Department

Also see nearby cities

Track SB 326 compliance and manage your HOA with Propty