If you are a member of a condo association board in Orange County or Los Angeles, you know the importance of abiding by rules and regulations. You have your association’s bylaws to which you need to adhere, but you also have to abide by state and local laws. Veering from any of these can result in steep fines or expensive lawsuits for your condo association.
In 2019, a new law that applies to condo associations was passed by the California legislature and signed into law by the governor. Senate Bill 326 (SB 326) requires that condo association boards arrange to have their complex’s balconies inspected on a regular basis. The first required balcony inspections need to be completed by January 1, 2025. Many condo association boards are not aware of this new law, as it didn’t receive a lot of fanfare in the media. However, all condo associations in California are required to follow this new regulation or be subject to fines.
Fortunately for condo associations, not every balcony in a condo complex needs to be inspected—only a “random and statistically significant sample.” The inspections need to include an assessment of the balconies’ load bearing components, as well as the associated waterproofing systems. The inspector must then produce a report that outlines the current condition of the balconies and indicates the expected future performance and remaining useful life of the elements that were inspected. In addition, the inspector must advise the condo association board of any needed repairs and if any balconies should be restricted from use for safety reasons. Then, any necessary repairs must be made in a timely manner.
Condo association boards would be wise to start their search now for a qualified inspector for condo balconies in Orange County and Los Angeles. Any licensed structural engineer or architect can complete the required inspections, but it may be difficult to find someone who is willing to take on this type of work. Diamond Touch Strategies (DTS), a company dedicated to small business compliance issues, has put together a team of qualified professionals who have studied the requirements of SB 326 and can complete balcony inspections for condo complexes throughout Orange County and Los Angeles. When you work with an inspector from DTS, they will ensure that all inspections are done according to the law so your condo association will be in full compliance with SB 326.
The January 1, 2025 deadline to have the inspections completed may seem like it’s a long way off right now, but condo association boards would be wise to get theirs out of the way as soon as possible. As the end of 2024 approaches, many condo boards in Orange County and Los Angeles will likely be scrambling to meet the deadline and have trouble finding a qualified inspector to do the job on time. If the inspections are not done by the deadline, a condo association could incur costly fines.
There’s no reason to wait. Contact Diamond Touch Strategies to inquire about their condo balcony inspections in Orange County and Los Angeles and gain peace of mind, knowing that your condo complex is in compliance with SB 326.
