Santa Clara County
San Jose balcony inspection
Dedicated intake
City of San José Planning, Building and Code Enforcement — Code Enforcement Division
- Who inspects
- SB 326 condominiums: Licensed structural engineer, licensed civil engineer, or licensed architect (AB 2114 added civil engineers). Contractors and certified building inspectors do not qualify. SB 721 apartment buildings: Licensed architect; licensed civil or structural engineer; contractor holding A, B, and/or C-5 with at least five years’ experience constructing multistory wood-frame buildings; or a certified building inspector/official as specified. The inspector may not be a current employee of the local jurisdiction.
- Where the report goes
- Email the full report to E3@sanjoseca.gov. Effective January 5, 2026, licensed professionals must also submit a city affidavit with the report. Emergency findings: within 15 days. No-repair findings: city states no report is required. Non-emergency repairs: permit within 120 days, complete within 120 days of issuance.
- Filing destination
- E3@sanjoseca.gov (questions and reports).
- Local contact
- Code Enforcement — Exterior Elevated Elements (E3)
- E3@sanjoseca.gov
- Ordinance / bulletin
- City of San José E3 program implementing SB 721 / SB 326. Affidavit required with reports as of January 5, 2026.
Notes
- The city announced: SB 721 apartment E3 reports due January 1, 2026. Submit to E3@sanjoseca.gov.
- Required report contents include inspection date, stamp or contractor license, site map of elements, method, urgency (emergency / non-emergency / none), recommended repairs, date the owner received the report, and total counts by type.
.gov sources
Open city portalPrepare the request before you send it.
Use the free report checklist to see which documents to ask for. If you need a starting draft, the $29 kit includes an inspector bid request, owner-summary letter, buyer document request, and planning spreadsheet.
Templates only. Confirm the city process; no report is filed or sent for you.
Not legal advice. Confirm the current statute text on leginfo.legislature.ca.gov and the current filing desk on the city’s .gov site before you send a report or a demand letter.
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