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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 20Ch. 18Art. 3§ 26131 Mold Remediation Health Guidelines

§ 26131 Mold Remediation Health Guidelines

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 26131 Mold Remediation Health Guidelines

Key Takeaways

  • •The law gives rules for safely cleaning up mold in homes and buildings.
  • •It makes sure cleaning mold doesn’t hurt your health or cost too much money.
  • •You don’t need special training or a pro to clean mold—just follow the guidelines.
  • •Landlords don’t have to test the air or surfaces for mold unless they want to.

Example

You rent an apartment and find mold in the bathroom.

Your landlord must clean it up safely using the state’s guidelines, but they don’t have to hire a special mold expert or test the air. They just need to fix the leak causing the mold and clean it properly.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 26131 Mold Remediation Health Guidelines

(a)  Remediation guidelines for mold developed by the department shall do all of the following: (1)  Provide practical guidance for the removal of mold and abatement of the underlying cause of mold and associated water intrusion and water damage in indoor environments. (2)  Protect the public’s health. (3)  Notwithstanding paragraph (2), balance the protection of public health with technological and economic feasibility. (4)  Utilize and include toxicological reports, the latest scientific data, or existing standards for the remediation of molds adopted by authoritative bodies. (5)  Provide practical guidance for the removal or cleaning of contaminated materials in a manner that protects the health of the person performing the abatement. (6)  Include criteria for personal protective equipment. (7)  Not require a landlord, owner, seller, or transferor, to be specially trained or certified or utilize the services of a specially qualified professional to conduct the mold remediation. (b)  The department shall consider all of the following criteria when it develops remediation guidelines for mold: (1)  Permissible exposure limits to molds developed by the department pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 26103, or what constitutes a health threat posed by the presence of mold, both visible and invisible or hidden, in an indoor environment, according to the department’s guidelines as developed pursuant to Section 26105. (2)  Guidelines for mold remediation, if any, adopted by authoritative bodies. (3)  Professional judgment and practicality. (c)  The department shall not require a commercial, industrial, or residential landlord, or a public entity that rents or leases a unit or building to conduct air or surface tests of units or buildings to determine whether the presence of molds exceeds the permissible exposure limits to mold established by subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) of Section 26103. (d)  The department shall report to the Legislature on its progress in developing remediation standards for mold by July 1, 2003. (Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 584, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2002.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

remediationjudgmenttoxichealthtriallandlordportlegislature

Related Statutes

  • § 26122 Mold Health Safety Guidelines
  • § 109050 Phthalates In Medical Plastics
  • § 26130 Mold Remediation Guidelines
  • § 26133 Mold Remediation Standards Adoption
  • § 26140 Mold Disclosure In Property Sales

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 26131.
View Official Source