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SB 721 balcony, deck and stair repairs in San Jose

Your building had its SB 721 inspection and the report lists repairs. We work from that report: plans and permits where needed, the repair work, and the inspections through final.

Send the report items

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Floor plans, level and hard hat illustrating construction planning
Illustrative planning image. The repairs depend on your building and the inspector's report.

Who the rule covers

Buildings with three or more units

California Health and Safety Code 17973 requires inspection of exterior elevated elements in buildings with three or more multifamily units.1

Wood balconies, decks and stairs over six feet

An exterior elevated element is a balcony, deck, porch, stairway, walkway or entry structure with a walking surface more than six feet above ground that relies on wood for structural support.1

Due January 1, 2026, then every six years

If repairs are still not done 30 days after the inspector notifies the City, the owner faces a civil penalty of $100 to $500 per day until they are complete.1

From the inspector's report to final inspection

San José says to apply for a permit within 120 days of the report and finish the repairs within 120 days of the permit being issued.2

  1. Read the report

    We go through the report item by item and walk each balcony, deck and stair it lists.

  2. Plans and permit

    We draw the plans in house and bring in an engineer where the repair needs one. The City lists balcony, deck and stair repair among projects that need Planning approval even for like-for-like work.3

  3. Price in writing

    You get a written price for the listed items. If opening the surface shows more rot, we show you and get your written approval before that work.

  4. Repair

    Framing, waterproofing, decking, railings and stairs.

  5. Inspect and close

    We schedule the City inspections through final and give you the permit and inspection records for your files.

What we do and what we don't

The repairs
Rotted joists, ledgers and posts, waterproofing and flashing, decking, railings, guards and stairs on the elements the report lists.
Plans and permits
Plans drawn in house, an engineer where the repair needs one, the permit and the inspections through final.
Emergency items
The City says to restrict access right away and notify it within 15 days.2 Call us and we will schedule the emergency repair first.
Not the inspection
The inspection is done by a licensed architect, engineer, certified building inspector or qualified contractor. We start from their report.2

Send us the inspector's report items

Start with a short summary of what the report lists. We read the report, walk the building and price the repairs in writing.

  • How many units and which balconies, decks or stairs
  • The date of the inspector's report
  • Any items marked as an emergency

Prefer to talk? Call (408) 667-4946 or send a text. Office hours: Monday to Friday, 7 am to 3 pm.

David and Tristan, the owners, stay involved from the first walkthrough to the final check. We reply the same business day, Monday to Friday.

Fields marked * are required.

A short summary is enough. We can review the full report after we speak.

Free, no-obligation consultation · How we use your information

SB 721 repairs: common questions
Can SVB do the SB 721 inspection itself?
We do the repair side. The inspection has to be done by a licensed architect, a licensed civil or structural engineer, a certified building inspector or building official, or a contractor with an A, B or C-5 license and five or more years of relevant experience. Bring us the inspector's report and we price the repairs it lists.
When were the inspections due?
Health and Safety Code 17973 set the first deadline at January 1, 2026, and then every six years. If your building has not been inspected yet, start with a licensed inspector.
How long do I have to make the repairs?
For conditions that are not an emergency, San José says to apply for a permit within 120 days of the report and finish the repairs within 120 days of the permit being issued. Emergency conditions need access restricted right away and the City notified within 15 days.
Do balcony and stair repairs need a permit?
Usually, yes. The City lists deck, balcony and stair repair or replacement among projects that need Planning approval even when the new work matches the old. We coordinate the plans and the permit.
What does an SB 721 repair cost?
It depends on how many items the report lists, how much wood is rotted once the surfaces are opened, whether an engineer has to design the repair, and the permit and Planning review. We price the report's items in writing before work starts, and we get your written approval before any extra work found behind the surface.

Sources

This page explains the construction side of the rule. It is not legal advice. The City and your inspector decide what applies to your building.