Texas Senate Bill 509, passed in 2001, requires municipalities to verify that an asbestos survey has been conducted prior to issuing renovation and demolition permits for public or commercial buildings. Residential properties being renovated for non-commercial purposes are exempted from this law. The surveys must be conducted by an individual licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services to conduct asbestos inspections.

Each permitting jurisdiction has its own rules and forms to show compliance with this law, which you should ask for when applying for a building permit. In general, they are interested in confirming that a survey was performed before they will issue a permit, not whether any asbestos-containing materials were found or what you intend to do if they were. However, the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Rules and Federal asbestos regulations also apply to renovation and demolition regardless of the results of the survey or the issuance of a building permit.

The surveys that I perform for building permits are limited to the materials that will be disturbed during the renovation or demolition. Samples of these materials are sent to a laboratory for analysis to determine if they contain asbestos. At least three samples must be taken of each suspect material that may be disturbed. Samples are sent to a laboratory licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services for analysis. Typical suspect materials are shown below but others may also be affected.

The minimum charge of $250 in the metropolitan Austin area and $300 elsewhere applies if no suspect materials are present. Additional charges apply if samples are required to be taken or if an expedited report is requested.** A deposit equal to the minimum charge is required at the time of the survey and will be applied to any additional charges. Credit cards (MC/V) are accepted. If you call* and describe your building and your plans for renovation or demolition I can give you an estimate of the probable cost of the survey. It is important that you do not begin the renovation or demolition before I conduct the survey, as doing so may disturb asbestos-containing materials and put workers and others at risk of exposure to asbestos fibers.

I personally conduct these surveys. I am licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services as an Individual Asbestos Consultant (License 10-5430, expiration February 28, 2009). I have over 25 years experience as an asbestos consultant, some of which is described elsewhere on this website.

Andrew F. Oberta, MPH, CIH
The Environmental Consultancy

* Call (512) 266-1368; outside of Austin call (800) 668-1368.
Send e-mail to info@asbestosguru-oberta.com

** Some jurisdictions will issue a permit upon presentation of an interim report stating that the survey was performed, without waiting for the laboratory results (which can take ~2 - 4 business days).