Elevated Deck Inspection Program

Exterior elevated elements are all elevated decks, balconies, landings, stairway systems, walkways, guardrails, handrails, or any parts thereof that are exposed to weather and with a walking surface more than six (6) feet above grade/ground. 

The requirement applies to all residential buildings with three or more units including:

• Apartment houses, condominiums, tenants in common and live/work units
• Dormitories, fraternities, sororities, convents, and monasteries
• Boarding houses and congregate residences (transient with more than 10 occupants and non-transient with more than 16 occupants)
• Residential Assisted Living Facilities and Social Rehabilitation Residential Facilities

This requirement applies to all exterior elevated elements including:

• weather-exposed (i.e., not interior)
• extend beyond exterior walls
• located more than six feet above adjacent grade
• wood or steel framed

E3 Examples: balconies, exterior walkways, decks, exterior stairs and landings, guards, and associated handrails.

By January 1, 2026, owners of multifamily residential buildings, hotels/motels, apartments, and condominiums need to have the E3s of their buildings inspected by a California-licensed professional who will submit an inspection assessment report and Inspection Certification Form. Inspections for multi-family properties (not including condominiums) shall be completed by January 1, 2026, and by January 1 every six (6) years thereafter. Inspections for condominiums shall be completed by January 1, 2026, and by January 1 every nine (9) years thereafter.

• California-licensed Architects
• California-licensed Civil Engineers and California-licensed Structural Engineers
• A building contractor holding any or all of the “A,” “B,” or “C-5” license classifications issued by the Contractors’ State License Board, with a minimum of five years’ experience, as a holder of the aforementioned classifications or licenses, in constructing multistory wood frame buildings.
• An individual certified as a building inspector or building official from a recognized state, national, or international association, as determined by the local jurisdiction. These individuals shall not be employed by the local jurisdiction while performing these inspections.

All professionals must have current and clear licensure or certification in the State of California.

• Licensed structural engineers (http://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/)
• Licensed architects (http://www.cab.ca.gov/)
• Licensed civil engineers (http://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/)
• Licensed general contractors (http://www.cslb.ca.gov/)
• Type B Certified Building Inspectors (excluding City of Santa Barbara employees) (https://www.iccsafe.org/verify)
• Building Officials (excluding City of Santa Barbara employees) (https://www.iccsafe.org/verify)

Single family homes, duplexes, commercial, and industrial properties without residential units or multifamily with two (2) or fewer residential units.

Yes, if there are three (3) or more residential units in the building.

Property owners and condominium associations are required to maintain the records for two inspection cycles; records must be disclosed and delivered to the buyer at the time of any subsequent sale of the building.

Reports that indicate an emergency condition or pose a threat to public safety must be submitted to the Building Official within 15 days.

The owner or licensed professional must submit a copy of the inspection report and the Deck Inspection Certification form (page 4) to the city by email to CDBuildingCode@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.

Inspections that identify an immediate threat to the safety of the occupants require that the owner of the building perform preventive measures immediately. An owner must immediately prevent occupant access to the exterior elevated element until emergency repairs can be completed. A building permit is required for corrective work. 

An inspector report requiring corrective work, that does not pose an immediate threat to safety of occupants, requires a permit application within 120 days of receipt of the inspection report. Once the permit is approved, the owner has 120 days to make the repairs unless an extension is granted. 

All building permits are accepted online via our Accela Citizen Access Portal (ACA). More information is available online: Apply for Permit. 

For newly constructed residential buildings, inspections shall occur no later than six years following issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.