Services
Compliance and Enforcement Branch
Asbestos Abatement Program
To protect the health and safety of the
asbestos workers, building occupants and the general public, the
asbestos abatement program inspects asbestos abatement sites.
Inspections ensure that contractors remove asbestos properly and in
accordance with the regulations and includes the following aspects:
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Issues asbestos abatement permits
to licensed contractors and collects permit fees for all
regulated asbestos containing material over 260 linear feet or
160 square feet
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Inspects and monitors asbestos
abatement projects and reviews asbestos abatement reports
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Investigates asbestos complaints
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Reviews asbestos management plans
for schools
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Prosecutes violators who fail to
comply with asbestos laws and regulations
Select from the following for additional information about the DC
Asbestos Abatement Program:
Program Description:
On April 4, 1997, the District of Columbia promulgated asbestos
licensing and permitting regulations. Beginning on January 1, 1998,
the District required that you obtain an asbestos contractor's license
if your firm performs asbestos work in the District. Beginning on
January 1, 1998, the District also required that asbestos workers and
asbestos supervisors obtain a District asbestos worker's license. The
Asbestos Abatement Program was implemented to protect the residents
and visitors of Washington, DC from the detrimental effects of
asbestos exposure. The program not only regulates the removal
(abatement) of asbestos but it also performs abatement site
inspections to insure that all District and Federal regulations
regarding asbestos are followed.
Permit Program:
In the District of Columbia, any firm that performs asbestos
abatements must have a District Asbestos Contractor's License. Each of
the employees of the firm that perform abatements needs a District
Asbestos Worker's License. These licenses are not delegated by AAP;
one would contact the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs,
Business Regulation Administration at (202) 442-9508 or at 941 North
Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002.
The Asbestos Abatement Program operates
the permitting program for abatement firms. Before any abatement
activities can commence, the firm conducting the abatement must obtain
a permit from AAP and pay the appropriate fees. This regulation goes
for any abatement involving regulated asbestos containing material, or
RACM, over 260 linear feet or 160 square feet. Permits are not
required for asbestos abatements that do not involve RACM or are
smaller than the 260 linear feet or 160 square feet standards.
The first step in obtaining a permit is
to submit an Asbestos Notification Form* and the appropriate fee to:
ATTN: Asbestos Abatement Program
51 N Street NE-5th floor
Washington, D.C. 20002
Phone: (202) 535-2257
Fax: (202) 535-1371
Hours: 8:15 am-4:45 pm
List of Permit Fees (non-refundable):
Review and Issuance of an Asbestos Abatement Permit:
Notifications must be received at least 10 working days before
asbestos abatement activities begin. Once a notification has been
received, the staff of the Air Quality Division will review the
notification. If the notification is deemed accurate and complete, a
written permit will be mailed to the abatement contractor. If a
notification is incomplete, the staff of the Air Quality Division will
attempt to obtain the missing or erroneous information. If needed
information cannot be obtained, a permit will not be issued and the
contractor will be notified as such. Permits are date and
site-specific. Permits are not transferable.
Permit Requirements for Federal
Facilities:
Asbestos abatement contractors must obtain a valid District of
Columbia asbestos abatement permit and pay permit fees for any work at
federal facilities that meets the size thresholds given above. Federal
government entities themselves, who have their own in-house abatement
staffs, need not obtain an asbestos abatement permit before engaging
in abatement activities, however.
Emergency Permits:
The 10-day notification before the start of abatement work will be
waived for bona fide emergencies. The asbestos abatement contractor
wishing to start work before submitting a 10-day notification must
request a waiver from the Air Quality Division. The waiver request
must include a complete and accurate notification for the abatement
work and a letter explaining why the 10-day notification period
should be waived. Contractors or other parties requesting a waiver
must substantiate in writing why the abatement in question should be
granted a waiver. The Air Quality Division will determine whether a
notification qualifies for a waiver of the 10-day notification
requirement. Please carefully plan and schedule your abatement work so
that emergency abatements seldom occur. Permits must be obtained and
permit fees must be paid for abatements that receive a waiver of the
10-day notification requirement when the abatement involves RACM and
meets size thresholds.
Permit Enforcement:
Contractors who fail to submit timely and accurate asbestos
notifications, fail to pay permit fees, or fail to comply with other
requirements of the permit program will be prosecuted to the full
extent of the law.
