SB 326 Condo & Balcony Inspections in Desert Cities

Protect residents, control repair costs, and stay on schedule with SB 326 inspections tailored to HOA‑managed condominiums across Greater Palm Springs—Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Indian Wells, Indio, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, and Coachella.

SB 326 Inspection Services in Desert Cities

Ensure your condo community is safe and compliant with expert SB 326 inspections from West Coast Deck Inspections. We help HOAs and property managers meet California’s Condo & Balcony Bill requirements, identifying hidden structural risks before they become costly problems.

HOAs must complete SB 326 inspections every 9 years to assess the structural integrity of elevated exterior elements. Our licensed inspectors detect issues like wood rot, moisture damage, and corrosion, helping you stay ahead of repairs and avoid compliance penalties.

What is SB 326?

SB 326 (California Civil Code §5551) is the California balcony inspection law for condominium associations. It requires a licensed structural or civil engineer, or architect to perform a reasonably competent visual inspection of a random, statistically significant sample of exterior elevated elements (EEEs)—such as balconies, decks, walkways, stairways, and associated waterproofing—at least once every nine years. The first cycle was due by January 1, 2025.

Under §5551, the inspector must sample enough elements to achieve 95% confidence with a ±5% margin of error. This is different from SB 721 (apartments), which uses a fixed percentage.

EEEs include load‑bearing components with walking surfaces more than 6 feet above grade that rely in whole or substantial part on wood or wood‑based products for structural support (e.g., balcony joists, ledger connections, guardrails) and their waterproofing systems (membranes, flashings, coatings, sealants).

What We Inspect

Desert conditions can accelerate deterioration. Triple‑digit heat, intense UV, monsoon moisture, and wind‑driven sand are hard on balcony membranes, coatings, and rail connections. Our process focuses on the elements most affected in the Coachella Valley.

Balconies & Decks

We examine framing, cantilevered conditions, ledgers, balcony-to-wall interfaces, and guard/handrail connections—targeting areas where UV and thermal cycling can fatigue waterproofing and fasteners.

Exterior Walkways & Stairways

We review elevated breezeways, catwalks, stair runs, and landings for deflection, rust at stringers or connectors, and wear at membrane transitions and drip edges.

Wood & Metal Components

We assess joists, beams, posts, hangers, bolts, and guard assemblies for rot, checking, split grain, rust, and galvanic corrosion, including chloride exposure near pools or irrigation.

Moisture Intrusion & Corrosion

We document membrane failures, ponding, edge metal gaps, and sealant breakdown that lead to water ingress—and prioritize locations where buried decay is most likely.

What Happens After the Inspection?

We deliver the clarity your board needs to plan repairs, budgets, and communication.

Comprehensive Assessment

Inspections follow §5551 standards, using a random, statistically significant sample to achieve 95% confidence across each EEE type. Methods may include visual review supplemented by moisture meters, borescopes, and IR where appropriate.

Detailed Report & Photos

Your board receives a written report with current condition, remaining useful life, and any immediate threats to safety, plus labeled photos and unit/stack references. Reports must be retained for two inspection cycles (18 years).

Action Plan for Compliance

If any immediate threat is found, we notify the board and local code enforcement within 15 days, and recommend temporary protections while repairs are completed. We also coordinate timing with your reserve study so future maintenance is planned and funded.

We Serve All of Desert Cities

We regularly work across the nine Desert Cities of the Coachella Valley: Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, Coachella, and Desert Hot Springs, as well as nearby unincorporated communities like Bermuda Dunes and Thousand Palms.

Need a familiar waypoint? We serve HOA communities near El Paseo Shopping District in Palm Desert and The River at Rancho Mirage, and around event hubs like the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Why Choose West Coast Deck Inspections?

Local know‑how matters. Our team understands how desert sun, heat, and seasonal storms stress balcony waterproofing and connections, so we target the right locations and provide repair‑ready documentation.

SB 326 Specialists

Focused on HOA SB 326 compliance services for condo properties, not apartments (SB 721).

Detailed Inspection Reports

Actionable findings with prioritized repair lists, photo logs, and plan‑of‑action notes your board and vendors can follow.

Fast & Reliable Service

Coordinated access, minimal disruption, and clear scheduling—ideal for multi‑building complexes and seasonal residents.

Helping HOAs Stay Compliant

We align your SB 326 requirements with reserve planning, risk reduction, and communication to residents, keeping you on track for the nine‑year cycle.

Book Your SB 326 Balcony Inspection in Desert Cities Today

Avoid legal risk, protect your property, and gain peace of mind by partnering with West Coast Deck Inspections—Desert Cities’s trusted SB 326 inspection team

Call us now!