Assbestos

Illinois asbestos rules for homeowners

Illinois's asbestos rules don't cover privately owned homes and apartment buildings of four or fewer units. Illinois EPA recommends hiring a licensed contractor, but if you do it yourself, it lists precautions to follow. Chicago doesn't require an asbestos abatement notice for single-family homes.

Doing it yourself

Illinois EPA says: "The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) and other asbestos-related regulations do not apply to privately owned homes and apartments with four or less units… A licensed contractor should remove the ACM… if you plan to conduct the removal yourself, you should follow the Illinois EPA recommendations" (Illinois EPA).

Its recommendations, in summary:

  • Seal off the work area and shut off forced-air heating or cooling.
  • Wear a respirator with cartridges rated for asbestos.
  • Keep the material wet while you work.
  • Bag the waste in leak-proof bags, and put the bags in a cardboard box.
  • Take the bags to a permitted landfill.

Read the full list on the Illinois EPA page before starting.

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Hiring a contractor

The Illinois Department of Public Health licenses asbestos contractors and workers for public and commercial buildings; detached single-family homes are excluded from those rules. For your own home, EPA still recommends hiring trained, accredited professionals.

Chicago

Chicago's guidance says "an Asbestos Abatement Notice is not required for single family residences." A demolition may still need its own notice. Check the city's asbestos and demolition notification rules.

Disposal

Illinois EPA says to dispose of the bagged waste at a permitted landfill. Call the landfill first to confirm it accepts asbestos. See asbestos disposal.

Sources

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