Asbestos and lead paint in older homes before tear-out

When tearing out damaged walls, floors or ceilings needs lead-safe work in a home built before 1978, and when it needs an asbestos notice, state by state.

Updated October 15, 2026148 official sources

On this page2 sections

1Lead paint in homes built before 1978
2Asbestos notices before tear-out

After water or fire damage, a restoration company often tears out drywall, flooring or ceilings. In an older home, that can disturb lead paint or asbestos, and federal and state rules say who may do the work and who has to be told first.

Lead paint in homes built before 1978

Under the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting rule, anyone paid to do work that disturbs painted surfaces in a home or child-occupied facility built before 1978 has to work through an EPA- or state-certified firm, with a certified renovator directing the work and following lead-safe practices.^1-2

Small jobs. Minor repair and maintenance that disturbs 6 square feet or less of painted surface per room inside, or 20 square feet or less outside, is exempt, unless it involves window replacement, demolishing painted surfaces or practices the rule prohibits. Jobs in the same room within 30 days count as one.³
Emergencies. Unplanned work after a sudden, unexpected event that has to be done at once to prevent a safety hazard or serious property damage is exempt from some of the rule's steps, such as signs, containment and training, but only as far as the emergency needs. It's never exempt from cleaning, the cleaning check and record keeping, and once the emergency part is done, the rest of the job follows the full rule.^3-4
State programs. Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin run their own EPA-authorized programs.^{2, 5-6}

Ask a company working on a home built before 1978 for its lead-safe firm certification and the name of the certified renovator on the job.

Asbestos notices before tear-out

Before a demolition, and before a renovation that disturbs more than a set amount of asbestos, someone has to notify the state or local air agency, usually 10 working days ahead. Many states follow the federal amounts and leave out homes with four or fewer units, as Ohio does.^7-8 Others cover homes, set lower amounts or have a city or county agency take the notice. The table has each state's rule.

If you're not sure whether the materials in your home contain asbestos, ask the restoration company how it will find out before it starts tearing out.

State	What the state requires
Alabama	The Alabama Department of Environmental Management must be notified 10 weekdays before a renovation that removes at least 260 linear feet, 160 square feet or 35 cubic feet of regulated asbestos, and before any demolition. In Jefferson County and Huntsville, notify the local agency instead.^9-10
Alaska	Alaska has no state asbestos notification program. Demolitions, and renovations above the federal amounts, are reported to U.S. EPA Region 10 at least 10 working days ahead, and homes with four or fewer units aren't covered.^11-12
Arizona	ADEQ must be notified at least 10 working days before a demolition or a renovation that disturbs at least 260 linear feet, 160 square feet or 35 cubic feet of regulated asbestos, with no state fee. Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties run their own programs and charge fees.^13-14
Arkansas	The Division of Environmental Quality must get a notice, with a fee, 10 working days before any demolition and before a renovation that disturbs at least 260 linear feet, 160 square feet or 35 cubic feet of regulated asbestos. A notice is also needed for 160 square feet or more of asbestos floor covering or mastic.^15-17
California	California's local air districts run asbestos notification under their own rules, and in 18 counties without a delegated district, notices go to U.S. EPA Region 9 with no fee. In the South Coast district, notice is due 10 working days before removing more than 100 square feet of asbestos, with a fee.^18-20
Colorado	Colorado requires a permit application, a fee and 10 working days' notice before asbestos abatement above its trigger levels. In single-family homes those are 50 linear feet on pipes, 32 square feet on other surfaces or the volume of a 55-gallon drum.²¹
Connecticut	The Department of Public Health must be notified at least 10 days before asbestos abatement of more than 10 linear feet or 25 square feet, and before any demolition. This covers single-family homes, and a fee applies.^22-23
Delaware	DNREC must be notified electronically at least 10 working days before a renovation that disturbs at least 260 linear feet, 160 square feet or 35 cubic feet of regulated asbestos, and before any demolition. Owner-occupants removing asbestos from their own single-family home don't need to notify.^24-25
District of Columbia	A licensed contractor must apply to DOEE for a permit at least 10 working days before abating regulated asbestos above the federal amounts, and a fee applies. DOEE doesn't regulate removal from single-family homes or buildings with four or fewer units.^26-28
Florida	The DEP district office or local air program must be notified at least 10 working days before a demolition or a renovation above 260 linear feet, 160 square feet or 35 cubic feet of regulated asbestos, and a fee applies. Residential buildings with four or fewer units are generally exempt.^29-31
Georgia	EPD must be notified, with a fee, 10 working days before a demolition or an asbestos abatement project. EPD says this covers 10 or more linear feet or 10 or more square feet of asbestos, and residential dwelling projects are covered.^32-35
Hawaii	The Department of Health must be notified 10 working days before any demolition and before a renovation that disturbs at least 260 linear feet, 160 square feet or 35 cubic feet of regulated asbestos, and a fee applies. Single-family homes generally aren't covered.^36-37
Idaho	For most buildings, U.S. EPA Region 10 must be notified 10 working days before a demolition or before a renovation that disturbs at least 260 linear feet, 160 square feet or 35 cubic feet of regulated asbestos. Idaho DEQ takes the notice only for major facilities.³⁸
Illinois	Illinois EPA must be notified 10 working days before a demolition or a renovation covered by the federal asbestos rule, and a fee applies. Chicago and Cook County take their own notices.^39-41
Indiana	IDEM must be notified 10 working days before any demolition, and before a renovation that disturbs at least 260 linear feet, 160 square feet or 35 cubic feet of regulated asbestos, and it bills a fee. Owners of a noncommercial home with four or fewer units don't have to notify.^42-44
Iowa	The state's asbestos program at the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing must get the notice postmarked at least 10 working days before a demolition or a renovation covered by the federal asbestos rule. A fee applies.^45-47
Kansas	KDHE must receive notice 10 working days before an asbestos removal, encapsulation or demolition project, and a fee applies. KDHE says homeowners doing work on their own residence aren't covered.^48-50
Kentucky	The Kentucky Division for Air Quality must get Form DEP 7036 before a renovation or demolition covered by the federal asbestos rule, which applies to renovations of at least 260 linear feet, 160 square feet or 35 cubic feet.⁵¹
Louisiana	LDEQ must be notified 10 working days before a demolition, or before a renovation that disturbs at least 60 linear feet, 64 square feet or 27 cubic feet of regulated asbestos, and a fee applies. Homes with four or fewer units are generally exempt.^52-54
Maine	Maine DEP must be notified of any asbestos project over 3 square or linear feet, with the notice postmarked 10 calendar days or received 5 working days ahead. A fee applies to projects over 100 square or linear feet.^55-56
Maryland	MDE must be notified in writing before every asbestos project, at any size, except small repair work under 10 square feet or 20 linear feet. MDE asks for the notice 10 working days ahead, and this applies to single-family homes.^57-59
Massachusetts	MassDEP must be notified 10 working days before any asbestos removal, with no minimum amount, and a fee applies.^60-62
Michigan	EGLE must be notified 10 working days before a demolition, or before a renovation of at least 260 linear feet, 160 square feet or 35 cubic feet of regulated asbestos, and a fee applies. Separately, an asbestos abatement contractor must notify the state 10 days before a project over 10 linear feet or 15 square feet.^63-65
Minnesota	A licensed asbestos contractor must notify MDH five calendar days before asbestos work, and in homes that starts above 10 linear feet, 6 square feet or 1 cubic foot of friable asbestos. A fee applies.^66-68
Mississippi	MDEQ must be notified 10 working days before any demolition, and before a renovation affecting at least 160 square feet, 260 linear feet or 35 cubic feet of regulated asbestos. Homes with four or fewer units are generally exempt.^69-70
Missouri	Missouri DNR must be notified 10 working days before a project of 160 square feet, 260 linear feet or 35 cubic feet or more of regulated asbestos, and a fee applies. Homes with four or fewer units aren't covered.⁷¹
Montana	Montana DEQ requires a permit for an asbestos project of more than 10 square feet or 3 linear feet. DEQ reviews the application for a project under 160 square feet, 260 linear feet or 35 cubic feet within 5 working days, and a larger project or any demolition needs 10 working days' notice. Fees apply. DEQ doesn't regulate single-family homes or buildings of four or fewer units where the federal residential exemption applies.^72-77
Nebraska	Businesses doing an asbestos project must notify DHHS before work starts, on a form due ten working days ahead, and the rule has no residential exclusion. Work on 3 square feet or 3 linear feet or less is excluded, as is a homeowner's own work on their own home. Licensed contractors pay a fee on friable projects of 160 square feet or 260 linear feet or more.^78-81
Nevada	Statewide, a licensed contractor must notify Nevada OSHA at least 10 calendar days before abating more than 10 square feet or 25 linear feet. Fees depend on the project's size. The only residential exemption is a person's work on their own home. Washoe County and Clark County also take federal NESHAP notices 10 working days ahead at 160 square feet, 260 linear feet or 35 cubic feet, which leave out homes of four or fewer units.^82-86
New Hampshire	NHDES requires notice at least 10 working days before a major asbestos abatement, meaning more than 10 linear feet, 25 square feet or 3 cubic feet. Residential buildings are covered, and only a homeowner doing their own work on an owner-occupied single-family home is exempt. Fees depend on the project's size. Demolishing a single-family home or a building of four or fewer units needs notice 5 business days ahead.⁸⁷
New Jersey	A licensed contractor must notify the Departments of Labor and Health at least 10 calendar days before asbestos work in any public or private building, homes included, and pay a fee. Work on three square feet or three linear feet or less is exempt, as are roofing and exterior siding outside a demolition.^88-91
New Mexico	New Mexico follows the federal rule, so homes of four or fewer units are excluded and notice is due 10 working days ahead for regulated amounts. In Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, demolishing a commercial building or one with five or more homes needs 10 working days' notice whether or not asbestos is present, and asbestos that isn't regulated under the federal rule still needs a written notice 10 calendar days ahead. Removals at or above the federal amounts pay a per-unit fee there, adjusted each year.^92-96
New York	Contractors must notify the Department of Labor at least 10 calendar days before an asbestos project over 260 linear feet or 160 square feet, with a fee by size. The rules cover single-family homes whenever anyone other than the owner-occupant does the work.^97-98
North Carolina	Removing more than 35 cubic feet, 160 square feet or 260 linear feet of regulated asbestos needs a state permit, applied for at least 10 working days ahead, and that covers single-family homes. A fee applies, except at an owner-occupied single-family home.^99-101
North Dakota	North Dakota follows the federal rule, so homes of four or fewer units are excluded. Notice is due 10 working days before any demolition and before a renovation over 160 square feet or 260 linear feet.^102-103
Ohio	Ohio follows the federal rule, so homes of four or fewer units are excluded. Notice is due at least 10 working days before demolition or regulated asbestos removal. A fee applies to each notice and grows with the amount removed.^{7-8, 104}
Oklahoma	Oklahoma's state asbestos rules don't cover detached single-family homes or apartment buildings of fewer than four units. For schools and public and commercial buildings, a licensed contractor must notify the Department of Labor 10 days before any project bigger than one glovebag. Federal NESHAP notices for other buildings go to DEQ.^105-107
Oregon	Oregon requires notice to DEQ with a fee before asbestos abatement, including at homes when a contractor does the work. Notice is due at least 10 days ahead for friable material and 5 days ahead for nonfriable. Owner-occupants doing their own work on a single-unit home are exempt, and so is removal of under 3 square or linear feet as part of a repair. Lane County is served by the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency under its own rules.^108-109
Pennsylvania	Contractors must notify the Department of Labor and Industry at least 5 days before an asbestos abatement project. DEP's federal NESHAP notice doesn't apply to private homes, only to apartment buildings of five or more units. Philadelphia (Air Management Services) and Allegheny County (Health Department) run their own asbestos permit and notification programs.^110-114
Rhode Island	Rhode Island's asbestos licensing and abatement plan rules don't apply to private residences. For other buildings, a licensed asbestos contractor must notify the Department of Health at least 10 working days before work, after the abatement plan is approved.^115-116
South Carolina	Projects at private homes of four or fewer units are exempt unless the work is done by a licensed asbestos abatement person or is part of a larger commercial or public project. Otherwise, projects of more than 25 linear or square feet need notice at least 4 working days ahead, and projects of 260 linear, 160 square or 35 cubic feet or more need 10 working days. A fee applies by the foot.^117-119
South Dakota	DANR must get notice postmarked 10 working days before any demolition, and before a renovation that disturbs 260 linear feet or 160 square feet or more of regulated asbestos. Single-family homes are usually exempt unless several on one site under one owner are part of a larger project.^120-122
Tennessee	TDEC's Division of Air Pollution Control must get notice 10 working days before removing 260 linear feet, 160 square feet or 35 cubic feet or more of asbestos, and before any demolition. There's no fee. Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Shelby counties file with their local air agency.¹²³
Texas	DSHS must get notice at least 10 working days before asbestos abatement or demolition. The rules cover any amount in a public building and the federal amounts in other facilities, but not a single private residence or an apartment building of four or fewer units. The fee depends on the amount removed (Texas DSHS: asbestos notification questions; Texas Asbestos Health Protection Rules).
Utah	Utah's asbestos rule covers homes of four or fewer units when the work is done for hire. Removing more than 3 square or linear feet but less than the federal amounts needs notice 1 working day ahead. The federal amounts or more, and any demolition, need notice and a fee 10 working days ahead. Homeowners working on the home they live in are exempt.^124-126
Vermont	Licensed asbestos abatement companies must get a Health Department permit at least 10 working days before removing more than 10 linear or square feet. Rentals and other buildings that aren't owner-occupied are covered, but owner-occupied homes are not. Any demolition, homes included, needs notice 10 working days ahead. Permit fees depend on the quantity.^127-130
Virginia	Virginia doesn't require notice or fees for asbestos projects in homes and other residential buildings of four or fewer units. For other buildings, licensed asbestos contractors must notify the Department of Labor and Industry 20 days before a project of 10 linear feet or 10 square feet or more, with a fee by size.^131-134
Washington	In King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency requires written notice before friable asbestos removal at a single-family home of 10 linear feet or 48 square feet or more, with a fee, and 10 days' notice and a fee to demolish a single-family home. Contractors must also notify Labor and Industries before asbestos projects over 48 square feet or 10 linear feet.^135-138
West Virginia	West Virginia's asbestos rule covers all buildings, homes included. The Bureau for Public Health must be notified, with a fee, at least 10 working days before each asbestos abatement project, and removing resilient flooring in single-family homes is exempt. The DEP Division of Air Quality also requires notice 10 working days before any demolition.^139-142
Wisconsin	Wisconsin follows the federal amounts: renovation notice to the DNR is required at 260 linear feet or 160 square feet of regulated asbestos, 10 working days ahead. A single, isolated home of four or fewer units is exempt, but not when it's part of a road, commercial or urban renewal project..^143-146
Wyoming	Notice goes to the DEQ Air Quality Division 10 working days before a renovation that disturbs regulated asbestos material, or before demolishing a facility. Residential buildings of four or fewer units are excluded unless the work converts a home to public or commercial use.^147-148

These are the rules as each agency publishes them. Some cities and counties run their own programs, and fees apply in many states.

Rules from the EPA, state environmental and health agencies and legislatures, checked October 2026.

Asbestos and lead paint in older homes before tear-out

Lead paint in homes built before 1978

Asbestos notices before tear-out

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