Los Angeles County · Legal guide
California Mold Laws and Remediation Requirements
California does not license mold inspectors, and it never set numeric mold exposure limits. Remediation that is part of construction work over $1,000 needs a CSLB-licensed contractor. Since SB 655, visible mold can make a rental substandard under Health and Safety Code 17920.3, and landlords must disclose known mold problems under HSC 26147.
- Emergency24/7 response
- CoverageAll of Los Angeles County
- PricingWritten quote before any work starts
- StandardANSI/IICRC S520
- Call(213) 659-0672
Last updated October 2026. This isn’t legal advice. For help with a specific situation, contact Bet Tzedek Legal Services or a tenant or real estate lawyer.
At a glance
What are the mold remediation requirements in California?
California regulates mold in pieces rather than with one mold code. Contractor licensing comes from the CSLB. Housing standards come from the Health and Safety Code. Tenant rights come from the Civil Code. Worker safety and asbestos come from Cal/OSHA. Local agencies, like LAHD in the City of Los Angeles, do the actual inspecting.
| Topic | The rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mold inspectors and assessors | No state license exists | None at the state level |
| Mold remediation contractors | CSLB license needed when the work is part of construction over $1,000 | Contractors State License Board |
| Mold in rental housing | Visible mold can be a substandard-housing condition | SB 655, HSC 17920.3 |
| Disclosure | Landlords who know of mold that exceeds limits or threatens health must disclose it in writing | Toxic Mold Protection Act, HSC 26147 |
| Exposure limits | None adopted; the state never set numeric limits | Toxic Mold Protection Act, HSC 26100–26156 |
| Habitability | Landlords must keep units fit to live in | Civil Code 1941 and 1941.1 |
| Repair and deduct | Up to one month’s rent, twice a year | Civil Code 1942 |
| Damages after a citation | Available if a code violation goes uncorrected | Civil Code 1942.4 |
| Retaliation | Prohibited | Civil Code 1942.5 |
| Asbestos found during mold work | CSLB asbestos certification, plus Cal/OSHA (DOSH) registration for jobs over 100 sq ft | CSLB, Cal/OSHA DOSH |
| Paint in pre-1978 homes | Disturbing it falls under lead-safe work rules | EPA RRP rule |
Summary for general information. Laws change, so confirm current rules with the agency or a lawyer.
Inspectors
Do mold inspectors need a license in California?
No. California has no state license for mold inspectors or mold assessors. Anyone can call themselves a mold inspector, which is why credentials and independence matter so much more here than the word “certified” on a website.
Because there is no license to check, look for things you can verify: private certifications from groups like ACAC (CMI, CMC) or IICRC (AMRT, WRT), samples sent to an AIHA-LAP (EMLAP) accredited lab with a chain of custody, and a written report that explains the readings. Also ask whether the company that tests will also sell you the removal. Our guide to choosing an independent mold inspector explains why that separation protects you.
The lack of state exposure limits matters too. Since California never adopted numeric mold limits, there is no official “pass” number for an air test. Labs and inspectors compare indoor samples with an outdoor control and look at which species show up. That is a professional judgment call, not a state standard, so a clear report and an honest inspector are worth more than a single spore count.
Contractors
Does a mold remediation company need a CSLB license?
Yes, when the remediation is part of construction work worth more than $1,000. That covers most real mold jobs, because removing and replacing drywall, insulation, flooring or framing is construction work. The minor-work threshold rose from $500 to $1,000 in 2025.
You can look up any contractor’s license, classifications and status on the CSLB website at cslb.ca.gov. Check that the license is active, that the name matches the company on your contract, and that any complaints or bonds look reasonable. A company that refuses to give you a license number for a job over $1,000 is a red flag. See our list of mold remediation scams and red flags for others.
- Ask for the CSLB number: and look it up yourself before you sign.
- Get a written scope and quote: listing containment, what gets removed and how the area is cleaned.
- Ask about asbestos and lead: in older LA homes, both can turn up behind the mold.
- Plan for clearance testing: ideally by someone who did not do the removal.
The state does not write its own step-by-step mold cleanup code. Professionals follow industry standards instead, mainly ANSI/IICRC S520 and the EPA guide “Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings,” which includes the familiar 10 square foot guideline for when a job may need professional help. Our guide on how to choose a mold company in LA covers what to ask.
Housing standards
What did SB 655 change about mold in California rentals?
SB 655, passed in 2015 and in effect since 2016, added visible mold growth to the list of substandard-housing conditions in Health and Safety Code 17920.3. It also gave health inspectors authority over it. Before SB 655, many inspectors had no clear way to cite a building just for mold.
There is one important exception. Minor mold on surfaces that normally get wet, like a shower or tub surround, does not count. A little mildew on the grout is a cleaning job. Mold spreading across a bedroom wall or ceiling is the kind of condition SB 655 was written for.
Disclosure
Do California landlords have to disclose mold?
Yes, in some cases. Under the Toxic Mold Protection Act (Health and Safety Code 26100 to 26156), a landlord who knows of mold that exceeds permissible limits or poses a health threat must disclose it in writing to current and prospective tenants. The disclosure rule is in HSC 26147.
Here is the catch. The act told the state to develop exposure limits, but California never adopted numeric limits. So the “exceeds limits” part has no number behind it, and the duty usually turns on whether the landlord knew about mold that poses a health threat. In practice, written notice from a tenant is what proves the landlord knew.
For renters, that makes a dated written notice the most important document you can create. Our LA renter mold hub walks through what to put in it and how to send it.
Tenant rights
What does the California Civil Code say about mold and habitability?
The Civil Code does not use a separate mold rule. Mold falls under the general duty to keep a rental habitable, plus a set of remedies when a landlord does not fix it. Four sections do most of the work.
1941 and 1941.1: habitability
The landlord must keep the unit fit to live in. Leaks and moisture problems that cause mold are usually the landlord’s to fix under this duty.
1942: repair and deduct
After proper notice and a reasonable time, a tenant may pay for certain repairs and deduct the cost, up to one month’s rent, no more than twice a year.
1942.4: damages after a citation
If a code inspector cites the condition and the landlord does not correct it, the tenant may be able to recover damages. This is why a free city or county inspection matters.
1942.5: no retaliation
A landlord cannot retaliate against a tenant for complaining about conditions or calling an inspector. LAHD says so in its own tenant materials.
Withholding rent is a different and riskier step than repair and deduct. Read can you withhold rent for mold in California before you try it, and talk to Bet Tzedek or a tenant lawyer first.
Worker safety
How do Cal/OSHA and DOSH asbestos rules affect mold removal?
Mold jobs in older Los Angeles homes often mean cutting into materials that may contain asbestos, like popcorn ceilings, drywall joint compound, old flooring and pipe wrap. Asbestos work needs a contractor with CSLB asbestos certification, and jobs over 100 square feet also need registration with Cal/OSHA’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).
Lead is the other one. Disturbing painted surfaces in homes built before 1978 falls under the EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) lead rules. A large share of LA rentals, including most RSO buildings, were built before 1978, so this comes up often.
The practical rule: test suspect materials before anyone cuts them open. If asbestos turns up, that part of the job moves to a properly certified and registered contractor. Learn more on our mold and asbestos testing page for older LA homes.
Local enforcement
Who enforces mold laws in Los Angeles?
It depends on where the property is. State law sets the standard, but a city or county inspector is the one who comes out, writes the citation and gives the owner a deadline. In the City of Los Angeles, LAHD contacts you within 72 hours (24 if urgent), the inspection is free, and the owner gets up to 30 days to fix the problem.
| Where the property is | Who enforces | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| City of Los Angeles | LA Housing Department (LAHD) Code Enforcement, including the Systematic Code Enforcement Program (SCEP) | (866) 557-7368 |
| Unincorporated LA County and cities that adopted the County Health Code | LA County Public Health, Environmental Health | (888) 700-9995 |
| Long Beach | City of Long Beach (own health department, outside County authority) | Code Enforcement (562) 570-2633 |
| Pasadena | City of Pasadena (own health department, outside County authority) | Code Compliance (626) 744-8633 |
| Santa Monica | City of Santa Monica | Code Enforcement (310) 458-4984 |
| Vernon | Its own health department | Call city hall |
| Glendale and Torrance | Not under County housing enforcement | Call city hall for code enforcement |
Agency numbers checked October 2026. For a city-by-city list, see who to call about mold in your city.
The full directory is on our who to call about mold in LA County page. You do not need a paid test to file a complaint. A lab report helps when the mold is hidden or you need documentation for a dispute, and a clearance test after remediation helps an owner show a code case is fixed.
FAQ
California mold law questions people ask
What are the remediation requirements for mold in California?
There is no single state mold code. Remediation that is part of construction work over 1,000 dollars needs a CSLB-licensed contractor, asbestos work needs CSLB asbestos certification and DOSH registration over 100 square feet, and pre-1978 paint falls under EPA lead rules. Professionals follow IICRC S520 and EPA guidance for the work itself.
Do mold inspectors need a license in California?
No. California has no state license for mold inspectors or assessors. Look for verifiable private certifications, an AIHA-LAP accredited lab, a clear written report and independence from the company doing the removal.
Is mold a code violation in California?
Visible mold growth can be. SB 655 added it to the substandard-housing list in Health and Safety Code 17920.3, except minor mold on surfaces that normally get wet, like a shower.
Do landlords have to disclose mold in California?
A landlord who knows of mold that exceeds limits or poses a health threat must disclose it in writing under HSC 26147, part of the Toxic Mold Protection Act. The state never adopted numeric limits, so knowledge of a health threat is usually the key question.
Does California have legal limits for mold levels?
No. The Toxic Mold Protection Act called for exposure limits, but the state never adopted numeric ones. Air test results are judged by comparing indoor samples with an outdoor control.
Can my landlord evict me for reporting mold?
Civil Code 1942.5 prohibits retaliation against tenants who complain about conditions or call an inspector. This isn’t legal advice; if you face retaliation, contact Bet Tzedek or a tenant lawyer.
Can I repair mold myself and deduct it from rent?
Civil Code 1942 allows repair and deduct after proper notice and a reasonable time, up to one month’s rent, no more than twice a year. Follow the notice steps carefully and get legal advice first.
Who do I call about mold in a Los Angeles rental?
In the City of Los Angeles, call the LAHD Code and Rent Helpline at (866) 557-7368. In unincorporated areas and County Health Code cities, call LA County Environmental Health at (888) 700-9995. Long Beach, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Glendale and Torrance handle their own complaints.
Sources
- SB 655 (2015), chaptered text, California Legislative Information
- California Health and Safety Code 17920.3 and 26100 to 26156 (Toxic Mold Protection Act)
- California Civil Code 1941, 1941.1, 1942, 1942.4 and 1942.5
- Contractors State License Board: cslb.ca.gov
- LA Housing Department complaint and inspection process: housing.lacity.gov
- LA County Public Health, Environmental Health housing inspections: publichealth.lacounty.gov
- US EPA, Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings: epa.gov/mold
- ANSI/IICRC S520, Standard for Professional Mold Remediation
Last updated October 2026. This isn’t legal advice. Laws and agency procedures change; contact Bet Tzedek Legal Services or a tenant or real estate lawyer about your situation. Browse more mold guides for LA homeowners and renters.
Need documentation that holds up?
We find the moisture source, test with an accredited lab, follow IICRC S520, and give you a written quote before any work starts. We also recommend independent clearance testing. Call (213) 659-0672, 24/7 across Los Angeles County.