Oakland Balcony Inspection Requirements: What the City Requires Beyond California’s SB 721

If you own a multifamily rental property in Oakland, you’re probably aware that California’s SB 721 balcony inspection law requires you to have exterior elevated elements inspected by January 1, 2026. What you might not realize is that Oakland has its own layer of requirements on top of the state mandate.

While the state law tells you what to inspect and when, Oakland tells you exactly how to document it, where to submit it, and what happens if you don’t. Failing to follow Oakland’s specific procedures can result in a Notice of Violation—even if you’ve completed the inspection itself.

Here’s what Oakland property owners need to know about the city’s Oakland balcony inspection requirements and how to stay compliant.

Oakland’s Additional Documentation Requirements

California’s SB 721 requires multifamily property owners to hire a qualified inspector and keep records. Oakland takes it a step further by requiring you to formally submit documentation to the city—regardless of whether your property needs an inspection or is exempt.

If your property requires inspection: You must submit a completed Exterior Elevated Elements (EEE) Inspection Form along with your inspector’s report through Oakland’s Online Permit Center.

If your property is exempt: You still need to complete and submit an Exemption Declaration Form through the same portal. Oakland wants documentation either way.

This is where many property owners get tripped up. They complete the state-required inspection but never submit the paperwork to Oakland, leaving themselves open to enforcement action.

Which Properties Are Subject to Oakland Balcony Inspection Requirements?

Oakland’s requirements mirror the state criteria. Your property needs an exterior elevated element inspection if it meets all three conditions:

• The building has three or more residential dwelling units
• It has wood-framed or partially wood-framed exterior elements (balconies, decks, porches, stairways, walkways) that extend beyond the building’s exterior walls
• Those elements have a walking surface more than six feet above ground level

Single-family homes and duplexes are exempt, as are properties where all exterior elevated elements are concrete construction rather than wood-framed.

How to Submit Your Oakland EEE Inspection Form

Oakland has created a specific submission process through their Online Permit Center. Here’s how to complete it:

1. Hire a qualified inspector to conduct the exterior elevated element inspection per SB 721 requirements
2. Receive your inspection report within 45 days of the inspection (required by state law)
3. Download and complete Oakland’s EEE Inspection Form
4. Submit both documents through the Oakland Online Permit Center
5. Retain copies for your records (required for two inspection cycles)

If your inspector finds conditions that pose an immediate safety threat, additional reporting kicks in. The inspector must notify both you and Oakland Code Enforcement Services within 15 days by emailing the report to BalconyCompliance@oaklandca.gov.

Oakland’s Repair Timeline and Permit Requirements

When an inspection identifies problems that don’t pose an immediate threat, Oakland enforces a specific repair timeline that’s stricter than the state requirement alone.

Oakland’s repair timeline:

• 120 days from receiving the inspection report to apply for a building permit
• 120 days from permit approval to complete all repairs
• Extensions may be granted by Oakland Code Enforcement Services on a case-by-case basis

Here’s an important detail many owners miss: most balcony repairs in Oakland require a building permit. This includes repairs to deck framing, guardrails, and structural components. Only routine maintenance falls outside the permit requirement. Your inspector’s report should specify what type of work is needed, but when in doubt, check with Oakland’s Planning and Building Department.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Oakland

Oakland doesn’t wait around for property owners who miss deadlines. If you fail to complete repairs within the required timeframe, here’s what happens:

First, your inspector is required to notify Oakland Code Enforcement Services if repairs aren’t done within 180 days. The city then sends you a 30-day corrective notice. If repairs still aren’t completed after that notice, civil penalties begin.

Oakland’s penalty structure:

• Civil penalties of $100 to $500 per day until repairs are completed
• A building safety lien may be recorded against your property
• Notice of Violation issued for non-compliant properties

These penalties add up fast. A $500 daily fine over 60 days equals $30,000—far more than most repair costs. And a lien on your property creates complications if you ever want to refinance or sell.

How East Bay Property Management Can Help

Keeping track of Oakland’s specific submission requirements, repair timelines, and permit applications on top of the state inspection mandate is exactly the kind of administrative burden that makes absentee ownership challenging. This is where working with a local East Bay property management company pays off.

SLPM Property Management handles the entire Oakland SB 721 compliance process for clients—from coordinating inspections and submitting the required forms to Oakland’s permit center, to overseeing repairs and ensuring work gets completed within the city’s deadlines.

For out-of-state owners or landlords juggling multiple properties, having someone local who understands both the state requirements and Oakland’s additional procedures eliminates the risk of missing a deadline or filing the wrong form.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oakland Balcony Inspections