DOH: Air Quality Division - 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:

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.