Half the city was built before 1980
About half of the homes in the city of San Diego were built before 1980, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District notes that building materials from before 1980 more often contain asbestos, and that later buildings can contain it too.
San Diego's rule, in plain words
The district's Rule 1206 covers renovations and demolitions of regulated structures, such as apartment buildings with more than four units and groups of homes managed together, like a homeowners association. Before that work starts, the rule calls for a survey of the materials, whatever the building's age.
Rule 1206 doesn't require sampling for a remodel of a single-family home with no detached home on the lot, such as a granny flat, or for a project that disturbs less than 100 square feet. The district still strongly recommends sampling before you disturb materials, and it doesn't recommend taking samples yourself.
A demolition of a regulated structure needs notice to the district 10 working days ahead, even if no asbestos was found. County building departments may ask for a Hazardous Materials Questionnaire before a permit. This is a summary, not legal advice; the district publishes the full rule.
Who takes the samples
In California, the person who samples for asbestos holds a Cal/OSHA certification as a Certified Asbestos Consultant (CAC) or Site Surveillance Technician (CSST). Ask your partner for that person's name and look them up.
How Request a tester works
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