State and federal law require Notification to the District before certain demolition and renovation activities can occur.

MCAQMD has been delegated by EPA as the local enforcement agency for the Asbestos NESHAP (National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) portion of the Federal Clean Air Act.

To see how the notification process works see the Asbestos Notification Procedure.

In general these regulations apply to activities that occur at facilities defined by NESHAPS. Facility means any institutional, commercial, public, industrial, or residential structure, installation, or building (including any structure, installation, or building containing condominiums or individual dwelling units operated as a residential cooperative).

Renovation

The District requires notification to the District at least 10 days in advance of any renovation or demolition project which disturbs any building material like insulation, walls, floors, ceilings, and etc.

An EPA certified inspector should be consulted to identify types of asbestos containing materials.

Demolition

This activity requires the same notification and inspection as a renovation, but must be identified as a demolition project. City and County building departments cannot issue a demolition permit until either the District has been notified or until the project is determined to be exempt from the regulations. (Health and Safety Code Section 19827.5)

Where is Asbestos most commonly found?

Asbestos can be found in a number of building materials, including drywall, plaster, roofing materials, flooring, insulation, ductwork, adhesives, ceiling tiles and a wide variety of other commonly used materials.

Are new building materials asbestos free?

No. EPA did require that all building materials sold be free of asbestos, however a lawsuit resulted in that regulation being thrown out. Currently new products that contain asbestos cannot be developed, but existing products can be manufactured and sold. Read more about this issue at the EPA website.

No asbestos was found, do I still need to notify the District?

In general the answer is YES. The notification requirement exists even if asbestos is NOT present.

Notification must be made at least 10 days before work begins.

These regulations apply to activities that occur at structures that are used for commercial purposes or facilities. Facility means any institutional, commercial, public, industrial, or residential structure, installation, or building (including any structure, installation, or building containing condominiums or individual dwelling units operated as a residential cooperative). Some types of projects, mainly involving conversion to commercial use, or funded with federal money, require notification even for single family residences.

Demolition/Renovation Notification Procedure

Planning & Building Department

If you have received or were requested to fill out the Asbestos Demolition/Renovation Notification (ADRN) form, you must receive District approval prior to obtaining a building permit for your project. Contact the District for further information.

Obtain a Survey for Asbestos

Retain a Certified Asbestos Consultant (CAC) to test your structure for asbestos containing materials. CAC’s may be found in the yellow pages or online under "Asbestos or Environmental Consultants." Follow the survey recommendations for proper removal and disposal of the materials identified with asbestos.

Mendocino County Air Quality Management District

The Air Quality staff will review your survey and form for accuracy and completeness. You may have the District mail or email the review and approval to you upon request.

Present the Validated Form to Planning & Building Department

Present the validated form to your Planning and Building Department to receive your permit.

Important information

  • The notification requirement exists even if Asbestos is NOT present.

  • Notification must be made at least 10 days before work begins.

  • The notification requirement applies even to newer buildings.

  • An inspection by an EPA certified asbestos inspector must be conducted to identify the type and quantity of asbestos present.

For more information see....

The U.S. EPA page on asbestos

District page on Naturally Occurring Asbestos

Searchable Certified Asbestos consultant database from DOSH

Asbestos Information

The District regulates Asbestos under two different programs.

Please click on the relevant link below to learn more about each program.

1. Renovation and Demolition of Buildings

Federal Clean Air Act National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) requirements for Renovation and Demolition of existing structures (including notification forms).

Air toxics regulations under the Clean Air Act specify work practices for asbestos to be followed during demolitions and renovations of all facilities, including, but not limited to, structures, installations, and buildings (excluding residential buildings that have four or fewer dwelling units).

The regulations require a thorough inspection where the demolition or renovation operation will occur. The regulations require the owner or the operator of the renovation or demolition operation to notify the District before any demolition, or before any renovations of buildings.

The rule requires work practice standards that control asbestos emissions. Work practices often involve removing all asbestos-containing materials, adequately wetting all regulated asbestos-containing materials, sealing the material in leak tight containers and disposing of the asbestos-containing waste material as expediently as practicable, as the regulation explains in greater detail. These work practice standards are designed to minimize the release of asbestos fibers during building demolition or renovation, waste packaging, transportation and disposal.

When buildings are under renovation, they are not being demolished, but asbestos-containing building material is being removed or disturbed. Performing the work in accordance with the Asbestos NESHAP helps to ensure that areas in use during the renovation are not contaminated and that the area under renovation, when it is complete, is also free of contamination.

2. Naturally Occurring Asbestos

State of California Air Resources Board Air Toxic Control Measures for Naturally Occurring Asbestos. This tends to effect new construction and grading activities.

Please contact the District with any questions.


Contact Us

Phone:
707-234-6360

E-Mail

Mendocino County Air Quality Management District
1100A Hastings Road
Ukiah, California 95482
Mail: P.O. Box 247
Ukiah, California 95482
Office Hours
The District's office is open:
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday though Friday
(closed from Noon to 1:00 p.m. for lunch)