How to Get Waterproofing for Apartment Complexes in Los Angeles
If you own or manage a rental apartment building in Los Angeles, waterproofing probably isn't just a maintenance line item anymore — it's a legal requirement. Under California's SB 721, every rental property with three or more units was required to have its exterior elevated elements (balconies, decks, walkways) inspected by January 1, 2026. If that inspection turned up deteriorated waterproofing, you're now on the clock for repairs. Here's what that means and how to find the right contractor for the work.
Why This Matters Right Now
SB 721 requires a licensed architect, engineer, or a contractor holding an A, B, or C-5 license to inspect at least 15% of each type of exterior elevated element on your property for signs of water intrusion and structural deterioration. If the inspection finds damage, owners have 120 days to complete repairs. Miss it, and cities can impose civil penalties of $100–$500 per day — and insurers are increasingly denying coverage for buildings without documented compliance. If your North Hollywood property hasn't been inspected yet, that's the first call to make. If it has, and repairs were flagged, the next step is finding a contractor who can do the waterproofing work itself, not just the inspection.
Where Apartment Buildings Actually Leak
Multifamily properties in the Los Angeles area tend to run into a consistent set of waterproofing failure points:
Balconies and walkways — the exact elements SB 721 targets, where cracked coatings or failed flashing let water reach the structural framing underneath
Podium and courtyard decks — common in larger complexes, where waterproofing membranes sit over occupied space below
Below-grade parking structures — where water intrusion shows up as ceiling staining or efflorescence in the garage
Planters and stucco walls — often overlooked until water tracks inside a unit
A qualified waterproofing contractor should be able to point to experience with all of these, not just roofs.
How to Vet a Waterproofing Contractor
Confirm the license. For SB 721-related repair work, you want a contractor with an active C-5 (framing/rough carpentry) or relevant specialty license — verify it directly through the CSLB license lookup.
Ask about SB 721/SB 326 experience specifically. A contractor who regularly handles compliance-driven repairs will know how local building departments expect the work documented, which matters if you need to show proof of remediation.
Get a scope, not just a price. Waterproofing failures are often symptoms of a deeper issue — ask what's being repaired and why, not just square footage and cost.
Ask for multifamily references in the San Fernando Valley. Local expertise matters: drainage patterns, building age, and construction types in North Hollywood differ from coastal or hillside properties.
Where ADCO Fits In
ADCO (CSLB License #560144) provides commercial waterproofing throughout Los Angeles, and in North Hollywood, where we're based. We work on balconies, decks, plaza and podium waterproofing, and below-grade systems for multifamily properties — including remediation tied to SB 721 and SB 326 findings. We're also glad to have our license and past work verified before you commit to anything.
If your building's inspection flagged repairs, or you're not sure whether your property is even covered by the new law, contact ADCO for an assessment. We'll walk the property, explain what we find in plain terms, and give you a clear scope and timeline to stay ahead of the deadline.
Waterproofing this way.
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