Where SoCal’s pre-1980 housing is, and the survey rules that apply

Two rules turn older buildings into survey and testing work. Below is what they say, in short. It is not legal advice. Read the rule text for any job.

Asbestos: South Coast AQMD Rule 1403

• Before any demolition, a written asbestos survey is required. The rule allows no exceptions for demolition.
• Before a renovation, a survey is also required. The one exception: a single-unit home where less than 100 square feet of asbestos material is removed.
• The survey must be done by a Cal/OSHA-certified inspector (or a certified employee, where Cal/OSHA allows it).
• South Coast AQMD must be notified online before work starts on: every demolition, renovations that disturb 100 square feet or more of asbestos material, and any cleanup of damaged asbestos material.
• The survey rule applies whatever the age of the building.
• South Coast AQMD covers Orange County and the urban parts of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. San Diego and Ventura counties, and most desert areas, have their own air districts and rules.

Sources: Rule 1403 text, South Coast AQMD Rule 1403 compliance advisory (March 2019), South Coast AQMD asbestos demolition and removal page.

Lead paint: EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule

• It covers paid work that disturbs painted surfaces in homes, child care facilities and preschools built before 1978.
• The firm must be EPA-certified. Workers must be certified renovators or trained by one, and use lead-safe work practices.
• Small jobs are exempt: 6 square feet or less of painted surface per room inside, or 20 square feet or less outside. Window replacement and demolition of painted surfaces are never "small".
• The rule has an emergency provision that exempts firms from some requirements after a disaster. See EPA's page for its limits.

Sources: EPA RRP program, 40 CFR Part 745, Subpart E.

Why this page uses 1980: the Census groups homes by decade, so 1970 to 1979 is one group. The "before 1980" counts include homes from 1978 and 1979, so they run a little higher than the pre-1978 homes the lead rule covers.

It tells you where older homes are and how many there are, by county and large city.

• It does not tell you which homes contain asbestos or lead paint. Age is only a rough guide.
• It does not count jobs. It shows where older homes are, not how many surveys or abatement jobs happen.
• It counts housing units only. Each apartment is one unit. Offices, stores, schools and other commercial buildings are not included.
• The numbers are Census survey estimates pooled over 2020-2024. Year built is reported by residents and is less reliable for older homes. Homes lost in the January 2025 Los Angeles fires are not fully reflected.
• The 31 large Inland Empire cities shown hold 64% of the region's pre-1980 homes. The rest are in smaller towns and unincorporated areas.