Exterior Elevated Elements (E3) Inspection Law – Apartment Buildings
- Introduction:
This webpage is provided for guidance and steps required to be taken regarding the E3 inspection law as it applies to multi-unit apartment buildings. If you would like to know about E3 inspection law for condominium buildings, kindly contact the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety by clicking here. In general, E3 inspection law for multi-unit apartment buildings applies as follows:
- The Law:
To read the entire E3 inspection law, click here. Please note that this link will take you to the California Legislative Information website. - Summary of the Law
This summary constitutes no part of the law. It has been prepared by LAHD staff for the convenience of the reader. Refer to the law and/or a licensed professional for compliance with the law.- Owners of multi-unit apartment buildings with exterior elevated elements which are located more than six feet above adjacent grade, such as decks or stairways, must hire a licensed professional to perform a safety inspection.
- The purpose of the inspection is to determine that exterior elevated elements and their associated waterproofing elements are in a generally safe condition, adequate working order, and free from any hazardous condition caused by fungus, deterioration, decay, or improper alteration to the extent that the life, limb, health, property, safety, or welfare of the public or the occupants is not endangered.
- Licensed professional hired by the building owner to perform these inspection cannot be an employee of the City of Los Angeles and includes:
- Licensed architect;
- Licensed civil or structural engineer;
- 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.
- Except as otherwise provided by the E3 law, the required safety inspection must be completed by January 1, 2026, and by January 1 every six years thereafter.
- The continued and ongoing maintenance of exterior elevated elements in a safe and functional condition in compliance with E3 inspection law shall be the responsibility of the owner of the building.
- How to File an E3 Complaint
You can file an E3 related code enforcement complaint by either calling the hotline at 866-557-7368 or by clicking here.
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