A written notification must be provided to Miami-Dade County DERM at least 10 working days (excluding weekends) prior to start of project for:

• All demolition projects whether asbestos is present or not.
• For all asbestos abatement over 160 square feet or 260 linear feet.

The notification form is used to inform the department of demolition and asbestos abatement activities. 

• Renovation activities do not require a notification when no asbestos containing materials will be disturbed.
• All demolitions require notification, even when no asbestos is present. Miami-Dade County requires a copy of the asbestos survey report to accompany the written notification for demolition operations.

Single-family residential dwellings and apartment buildings with four (4) dwellings or less are exempt from the notification requirements. All other structures and buildings are regulated and must comply with the asbestos notification requirements.

The purpose of asbestos regulations is to prevent the release of asbestos fibers into the environment.  The requirements for asbestos projects are mandated by federal regulations, (National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, NESHAP).  Specifically, these regulations can be found in  40CFR61, Subpart M.

Asbestos is a human carcinogen known to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma (a rare form of chest and abdominal cancer) and asbestosis which is an irreversible, non-cancerous respiratory disease characterized by the scarring of lung tissue. According to previous studies, the probability of developing any of the above ailments significantly increases when the effects of cigarette smoking and asbestos exposure are combined. No scientific evidence exists to date that indicates that asbestos fibers are hazardous upon contact with human skin.

The presence of asbestos in a building does not necessarily mean that the health of its occupants is endangered. Exposure is unlikely as long as the Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM) remains intact and undisturbed. Potential exposure to asbestos occurs when building maintenance, repairs, renovations or other activities disturb or damage the ACM, causing a release of asbestos fibers.

A building or demolition permit from the Miami-Dade County Building Department or appropriate municipality is also required.

In addition to the asbestos NESHAP, other pertinent asbestos regulatory information to consider includes:

1. The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). This was passed in 1986 and mandates asbestos inspections and management programs for asbestos in all public and private schools.
2. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates workplace exposure to airborne asbestos fibers through two sets of regulations: the general industry regulations are contained in 29 CFR 1910.1001; the construction industry regulations are covered in 29 CFR 1926.58.
3. The Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates the transportation of asbestos-containing waste material.  This requires waste containment and shipping papers.
4. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) specifies exposure limits, engineering controls, and respiratory protection measures for workers in surface and underground mines.

Notifications are processed within one (1) day of submittal.

Fees are based on the size the unit or building plus an asbestos sample analysis fee. Please see DERM Fee Schedule

All fees must be submitted along with notification requirements, with checks made payable to Miami-Dade County. To obtain notification forms, call the Air Facilities Section at 305-372-6925.

The notification is valid until the end/closing date specified on the application.  The notification may be revised before the specified end dates to include additional unforeseen work that may arise as the project proceeds.  Annual notifications may be submitted for projects where renovation activities will be ongoing throughout the year.

An asbestos survey is required before any renovation or demolition activity begins. The survey results must be presented during the plan review process in order to get a building/demolition permit. A copy of the survey report must be kept on-site during renovations. Asbestos surveys must be performed by a state licensed asbestos consultant.

The owner or operator of the building and the contractor performing the demolition or renovation activities are responsible for notifying the department of asbestos abatement/demolition activities.

The regulations require that the written notification be mailed or hand delivered:

• Ten working days prior to the commencement of a demolition project. This includes buildings where no asbestos is present.
• Ten working days prior to any renovation operation if the amount of asbestos material stripped or removed is greater than 160 square feet, 260 linear feet, or 35 cubic feet.
• One day prior to demolition if the building has been declared structurally unsound and in danger of imminent collapse by a State or local governmental agency (a building official must make this determination).
• To facilitate the plan review process, the applicant may choose to submit an  affidavit for minor renovation projects where it can be reasonably assumed that no asbestos-containing material will be impacted.  However, the affidavit does not preclude the building owner/operator from conducting the asbestos survey.

For more information, please call 305-372-6925.

Before handling any Asbestos materials or submitting to DERM a Notice of Asbestos Renovation or Demolition, please read the National Emission Standard for Asbestos Guidelines and Regulations from the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

• View the Affidavit for Asbestos Survey 
• View the Notice of Asbestos Renovation or Demolition Permit