Effective September 2018, California enacted Senate Bill 721, the Deck and Balcony Law. This law came about after six college students died from a dry rotted balcony collapse in Berkley, California. The following information pertains specifically to California rental property owners. However, deaths and injuries from unsafe decks and balconies are happening everywhere and ALL landlords should be aware of the standards and how the Calif. deck and balcony laws affects your rental property, regardless of what state it resides in.