The Rimkus team offers a comprehensive portfolio of services for the built environment. Encompassing all engineering and architectural disciplines, our forward-thinking building solutions focus on resiliency, maintainability, sustainability, and carbon footprint reduction.
We leverage the knowledge of our deep bench of technical experts to proactively identify issues before they occur, mitigating risk and helping clients achieve the desired goals for their projects and facilities. From design and pre-construction through construction and project closeout, we span the project’s life with personalized service at every step.
List of Services:
- Architecture
- Building Envelope Services
- Civil Engineering
- Code Compliance
- Due Diligence Assessments
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Site Assessments
- Energy Audits
- Façade Inspection and Restoration
- Fire Life Safety Systems
- Historic Preservation
- Roof Consulting
- Plumbing Systems
- Renewable Energy Services
- Seismic Risk Assessments
- Structural Engineering
California Building Codes and Regulations
Senate Bill 721 (SB 721) and Senate Bill 326 (SB 326)
Senate Bill 721 (SB 721) and Senate Bill 326 (SB 326) are two California state bills aimed at improving the safety of residential buildings, particularly those with balconies and decks.
SB 721, the “Building Inspection and Notification Act,” and SB 326, the “Balcony Inspection Bill,” require the inspection of balconies and other elevated exterior elements of multi-family residential buildings with three or more units, such as condominiums and apartment buildings.
Extension for California Building Inspection Regulations
The compliance deadline for SB 721 has been extended to January 1, 2026, following the approval of Bill AB 2579 on September 28, 2024. This gives property owners extra time to carry out the required inspections of balconies and similar structures.
External Resources:
Deadline and Frequency:
Every apartment or condo facility with decks, balconies, entries, or walkways elevated more than six feet must have safety inspections performed before January 1, 2026.
- Properties Inspected Between January 1, 2016, and January 1, 2019:
- These properties must be re-inspected by the new deadline of January 1, 2026.
- Properties Inspected After January 1, 2019:
- The next inspection will be required six (6) years from the date of the last inspection.
Inspection Requirements:
SB 721 and SB 326 require inspections to be performed by qualified personnel. They also mandate that property owners, managers, and landlords disclose the results of inspections to all residents.
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Ordinance 67-16 of the San Francisco Building Code
Ordinance 67-16 of the San Francisco Building Code requires periodic inspections of building façades to identify and address potential hazards. All buildings five stories or taller must undergo an initial inspection by a qualified engineer or architect.
External Resources:
Deadline and Frequency:
- Subsequent Inspections:
- Following the initial inspection, buildings must undergo subsequent inspections every 10 years thereafter.
Inspection Requirements:
Inspections must be performed by a team of design professionals with an architect or engineer acting as a registered design professional in responsible charge.
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San Jose Soft Story Retrofit Ordinance
The San Jose Soft Story Retrofit Ordinance is a local mandate designed to improve the safety of buildings in San Jose, California, particularly those with soft story structures that may be vulnerable to earthquake damage.
The ordinance targets multi-story buildings with a “soft story” configuration—typically older buildings with large openings on the ground floor (e.g., parking garages or storefronts) and residential units above. These types of structures are more prone to collapse during an earthquake, which is why the retrofit ordinance was implemented to enhance seismic resilience.
External Resources:
Deadline and Frequency:
The City of San Jose has established specific deadlines for property owners to complete seismic retrofits on soft story buildings:
- Initial Deadline: Property owners were required to submit their retrofit plans by January 1, 2024.
- Completion Deadline: The retrofit work must have been completed by January 1, 2025.
After the retrofit is completed, buildings are subject to routine inspections to ensure ongoing compliance:
- Inspection Interval: Buildings are to be inspected every six years.
- Inspection Scope: The inspections assess the structural integrity of the retrofit and ensure that the building remains in compliance with the seismic safety standards set forth by the ordinance.
Inspection Requirements:
Under the ordinance, property owners of buildings with soft story configurations must complete structural upgrades to improve the building’s resistance to seismic activity. These retrofits typically involve reinforcing the foundation, adding shear walls, or installing steel braces to ensure the building can withstand the forces generated by an earthquake.
After the retrofit work is completed, a professional inspection must be conducted to verify compliance with the ordinance. Property owners are responsible for submitting the results to the city for approval.
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