Contractors: debris removal

The law sets qualification and safety requirements for contractors handling hazardous materials after declared disasters on homes and businesses.

What the law does ​

• Allows hazardous debris removal, including muck-out and ash-out work, only by A, B, C-12, C-21, or limited C-49 licensed contractors.
• Limits C-49 Tree and Palm contractors to hazardous debris work involving tree service and removal.
• Requires authorized contractors to pass an approved hazardous-substance certification exam and follow hazardous-waste operations and emergency-response rules.
• Applies when a permit is required for hazardous debris removal after a state or federally declared disaster.
• Ends these restrictions once the local permitting agency deems the needed hazardous debris removal complete, even if the emergency declaration remains in effect.

Who it affects ​

• Licensed contractors performing hazardous debris removal on disaster-damaged residential or commercial property.
• Homeowners and businesses seeking permitted cleanup of hazardous debris after a declared natural disaster.