SERVICE
Fulfill safety requirements for your building’s decks
Owners of apartments and hotels must get all exterior structural attachments inspected every five years.
What to know
Inspections for decks and similar structures
According to SF Housing Code Section 604, outside wood and metal structures on attached to apartment buildings and hotels must be inspected every five years. These areas include decks, balconies, landings, exit corridors, stairs, guardrails, handrails, and fire escapes.
Multi-unit residential buildings
The following are subject to this requirement:
- Apartment buildings or condominiums with three or more dwelling units
- Hotels with six or more guest rooms
What to do
1. Hire a licensed professional to do the inspection
You can hire any of the following:
- General contractor
- Structural pest control licensee
- Professional architect
- Engineer
They will check that outside structures are in good condition and free from dry rot, fungus, deterioration, decay, or improper alteration.
2. Have the licensed professional fill out and sign the Compliance Affidavit
3. Send us the affidavit
Housing Inspection Services
dbi.hissection604@sfgov.org
You can also mail us the affidavit.
49 South Van Ness Avenue
4th floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
Get directions
Supporting information
Special cases
Condominiums
If the deck or exterior structure is in a common or public area of the building, the homeowners’ association should hire the inspector and mail the affidavit.
If the deck or exterior structure is related to a specific unit, then the condo owner should hire the inspector and mail the affidavit.
Get help
Housing Inspection Services
dbi.hissection604@sfgov.orgPartner agencies
What to know
Inspections for decks and similar structures
According to SF Housing Code Section 604, outside wood and metal structures on attached to apartment buildings and hotels must be inspected every five years. These areas include decks, balconies, landings, exit corridors, stairs, guardrails, handrails, and fire escapes.
Multi-unit residential buildings
The following are subject to this requirement:
- Apartment buildings or condominiums with three or more dwelling units
- Hotels with six or more guest rooms
What to do
1. Hire a licensed professional to do the inspection
You can hire any of the following:
- General contractor
- Structural pest control licensee
- Professional architect
- Engineer
They will check that outside structures are in good condition and free from dry rot, fungus, deterioration, decay, or improper alteration.
2. Have the licensed professional fill out and sign the Compliance Affidavit
3. Send us the affidavit
Housing Inspection Services
dbi.hissection604@sfgov.org
You can also mail us the affidavit.
49 South Van Ness Avenue
4th floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
Get directions
Supporting information
Special cases
Condominiums
If the deck or exterior structure is in a common or public area of the building, the homeowners’ association should hire the inspector and mail the affidavit.
If the deck or exterior structure is related to a specific unit, then the condo owner should hire the inspector and mail the affidavit.
Get help
Housing Inspection Services
dbi.hissection604@sfgov.org