Municipal Officials | Vermont Department of Health CLOSE Translations for you Municipal Officials Asbestos & Lead Requirements Look Up Licensed Asbestos and Lead Contractors Licenses, Certificates & Permits Contractors & Other Building Professionals Child Care Providers & Schools Municipal Officials Property Owners & Landlords Real Estate Professionals Renters Inspection, Repair & Cleaning (IRC) Practices Training for RRPM & IRC Practices Renovation, Repair, Painting & Maintenance (RRPM) Regulations Asbestos and Lead Information for Municipal Officials This information is for town health officers, city or town officials, and zoning, fire or code enforcement officials. Why are asbestos and lead regulated in Vermont? Asbestos and lead pose health risks, and they may be found in buildings and other structures. Because of this, the Health Department and the Environmental Protection Agency have specific requirements for the maintenance, renovation and demolition of buildings and other structures. Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are only dangerous when they are disturbed or handled incorrectly. If ACMs are not handled properly, asbestos particles can be breathed in. Even a small amount of ACM can cause health effects. Learn more about the hazards and health effects of asbestos Lead-based paint becomes a hazard when it is disturbed. This can be from chipping and peeling paint, when painted surfaces rub together, or when the paint is not properly sanded, scraped or burned. If lead-based paint is not handled properly, lead dust can be breathed in or swallowed by workers and by people, especially children, who use the building or other structure. Learn more about the hazards and health effects of lead What You Need to Know About Asbestos and Lead Requirements Important Links Look Up an IRC Practices Statement Look Up a Licensed Asbestos or Lead Company or Individual Submit an Asbestos or Lead Complaint What is the process for planning a renovation or demolition? Asbestos Before renovating or demolishing a building, an inspection is required and must be conducted by a Vermont-certified asbestos inspector Any asbestos-containing materials must be removed by Vermont licensed contractors before the renovation or demolition starts. The Health Department must be notified before any renovation or demolition work starts. Follow all asbestos-related requirements Follow DEC's Fire Training Notification Requirements Download the Handling Asbestos-Containing Materials fact sheet. Lead Assume lead-based paint is present in any building or other structure built before 1978, or hire a licensed lead inspector to test for lead. Hire a Vermont Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, Painting and Maintenance (RRPM) Firm to do renovation or repair work in areas where there is lead-based paint. Make sure lead-safe work practices are followed. Unsafe work practices that disturb lead-based paint will create lead hazards (see Section 5 ). Under Vermont law, if lead hazards are created in any building or structure, the owner will be responsible for the cleanup that will require them to hire a Vermont-licensed lead abatement contractor Where can I find information and trainings for town health officers? Town Health Officer Manual Forms and resources for town health officers Trainings for town health officers What are safe work practices for asbestos and lead? Asbestos Under Vermont law, only licensed contractors are allowed to perform asbestos abatement activities and must follow the regulations regarding the handling and disposing of asbestos-containing materials Unsafe handling of asbestos-containing materials often leads to the need for asbestos cleanup by a Vermont-licensed asbestos contractor Lead Under Vermont law, contractors are required to use lead-safe work practices Unsafe work practices that disturb lead-based paint will create lead hazards (see Section 5 ). Under Vermont law, if lead hazards are created in any building or structure, you will be responsible for the cleanup that will require you to hire a Vermont-licensed lead abatement contractor Prohibited practices may be allowed if specifically authorized in writing by the Health Department. Depending on the property and the work being performed, IRC (Inspection, Repair and Cleaning) Practices or RRPM (Repair, Renovation, Paint and Maintenance) certification may be required. What are Inspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) Practices compliance statements? If a residential rental property or child care facility was built before 1978, the landlord, property owner or property management company is required to: Complete IRC Practices annually (must be completed by a certified person). Sign a compliance statement certifying that IRC Practices have been done. Provide a copy of the compliance statement to their tenants, their insurance carrier, and the Health Department. Learn more about IRC Practices and the Vermont Lead Poisoning Prevention Law How can I test for asbestos or lead hazards? Asbestos If you want to know whether there are asbestos-containing materials in a home, building, structure or material, hire a Vermont-licensed asbestos inspector to conduct an inspection. Lead Lead-Based Paint If you want to know whether lead-based paint is on a home, building or other structure, hire a Vermont-certified lead inspector or risk assessor to conduct a lead inspection or risk assessment. A lead inspection determines the presence or absence of lead-based paint on painted or coated surfaces. A risk assessment identifies lead hazards from deteriorated paint, dust and bare soil, and ways to control the lead hazards. Drinking Water Test kits for lead in drinking water can be purchased from the Health Department Laboratory. Find out more about testing for lead in drinking water Where can I find informational materials about asbestos and lead (posters, fact sheets, etc)? Asbestos Handling Asbestos-Containing Materials During Renovations, Demolitions and Fire Clean Up Lead IRC Practices and the Vermont Lead Law Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home Prevent Lead Poisoning Poster - notice for occupants. To order copies, call 802-863-7220 or 800-439-8550 (toll-free in VT) Required Lead-Safe Work Practices for Contractors What are the rules about worker safety (VOSHA)? Asbestos Worker safety is addressed in the: Vermont Regulations for Asbestos Control EPA Worker Protection Standard OSHA Asbestos Standards Vermont OSHA (VOSHA) Rules and Regulations Lead Worker safety is addressed in the: Vermont Regulations for Lead Control Federal OSHA Safety Rules Vermont OSHA (VOSHA) Rules and Regulations More Information Vermont Regulations for Asbestos Control Vermont Regulations for Lead Control Lead Hazards and How to Prevent Lead Poisoning Handling Asbestos-Containing Materials During Renovations, Demolitions and Fire Clean Up Asbestos & Lead Regulatory Program Mailing Address: VT Dept of Health Environmental Health Asbestos & Lead Regulatory Program 280 State Drive Waterbury, VT 05671-8350 Email: [email protected] Phone: 802-863-7220 or 800-439-8550 (toll-free in Vermont) October 27, 2025