Assbestos

California asbestos rules for homeowners

In California, it depends on your local air district. South Coast AQMD exempts an owner-occupant who does the work personally; the Bay Area allows it but still requires notification, containment and a licensed hazardous-waste hauler. Contractors need a C-22 asbestos classification or certification for jobs of 100 square feet or more.

Doing it yourself

California's asbestos rules for buildings are enforced mainly by local air districts, and they differ.

South Coast (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino)

South Coast AQMD Rule 1403 says its provisions "shall not apply to an owner-occupant of a residential single-unit dwelling who personally conducts a renovation activity at that dwelling" (Rule 1403). In its FAQ, the district says:

  • the owner must live there and do the work personally, without help from friends, family or anyone else;
  • condos and townhouses aren't covered by the exemption;
  • the rule's waste-handling requirements still apply;
  • the district does not recommend doing it yourself (Rule 1403 FAQ).

Bay Area

The Bay Area Air District says a homeowner doesn't need to be certified to remove asbestos from their own home, "although the Air District strongly discourages it." Its Regulation 11-2 still applies: notification for certain quantities, removal under containment with negative air, and transport and disposal by an EPA-licensed hazardous waste transporter (Bay Area AQMD).

Elsewhere in California

Other air districts set their own rules, and 18 counties without a delegated program follow the federal rules directly (California Air Resources Board). Call your air district before you start.

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Hiring a contractor

  • License: a contractor may not do asbestos work involving 100 square feet or more unless they hold a C-22 Asbestos Abatement classification or have passed the asbestos certification exam (Business and Professions Code §7058.5, Contractors State License Board).
  • Registration: Cal/OSHA requires employers doing asbestos work of 100 square feet or more to register.
  • Check a license at the Contractors State License Board.

Disposal

  • California's hazardous waste rules treat friable asbestos waste containing 1% or more asbestos as hazardous waste. Non-friable asbestos waste isn't classed as hazardous under the same rules.
  • Many household hazardous waste programs don't accept asbestos. Call your local program or landfill first.
  • In the Bay Area, disposal must be by an EPA-licensed hazardous waste transporter (see above).

See asbestos disposal.

Sources

This page summarizes the rules; it isn't legal advice. Last reviewed October 29, 2026.