Deck Repairs in San Francisco 2025

As if we didn’t have enough on our collective real estate plates right now. 

The new problem: City/state required deck inspections.

In January, California is requiring all buildings with 3+ units (apartments, too) to do deck inspections by a general contractor, structural pest control licensee, architect, or engineer every 5 years. You then must have this individual complete an affidavit stating that the structure is free from “dry rot, fungus, deterioration, decay or improper alteration” and submit it to the city. 

One of the many great things about historic condo/TIC buildings in San Francisco has been their likelihood of having lower HOA dues compared to a newer construction with a lot of amenities that you may or may not use. They generally range somewhere between $250-450/month.

This means your reserves fund for maintenance, etc. could have a lower balance and you may have to come out of pocket for any repairs needed for this item. Deck repairs and replacements can be expensive!

While this has always been a concern for buildings who are not maintained well, starting next year, I think this could be an additional thing to keep in mind when reviewing disclosures. Consider also who your neighbors are and how active they have been about maintenance already - sometimes reading between the lines in these buildings and asking lots of questions goes a long way. People move in and don’t notice things deteriorating in real time.

If you need help with any of this, reach out!