Asbestos Abatement in Thurston County, WA
Thurston County is ORCAA territory, not PSCAA, and the rules and waiting periods are different. We handle the survey and the ORCAA notice so the timeline is clear before work starts.
Older buildings in Thurston County
Thurston County housing is newer than most of our service area, with a median build year of 1991. Still, about a third of homes (33.8 percent) were built before 1980, and Olympia’s older neighborhoods date back more than a century.
If a building predates 1980, test before you disturb it. See where asbestos hides in older homes and how our surveys work.
Asbestos rules for Thurston County projects
Thurston County, WA is under the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA), which covers Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties.
Survey
A renovation that disturbs 48 square feet or more of suspect material needs a survey by an AHERA certified building inspector. Owners of a single-family residence can instead have samples analyzed by an accredited (NVLAP) lab. Before a demolition, an AHERA survey is always required.
Asbestos removal notice
Removing 10 linear feet or more of asbestos on pipe, or 48 square feet or more of other asbestos material, requires notice to ORCAA and a 10-day waiting period. Projects that fall under the federal NESHAP rules wait 14 days.
Demolition notice
Demolishing any structure with a footprint over 120 square feet requires ORCAA notification, even with no asbestos present, and a 14-day wait that starts once ORCAA has the complete form, the survey and payment.
Fees
As of July 1, 2026, a single-family residence asbestos notification is $100, a single-family demolition is $100 and a commercial demolition is $200. Fees are non-refundable. Current ORCAA fees.
State certification
In Washington, only a certified asbestos contractor can bid or perform abatement. Every job needs a certified supervisor on site and certified workers doing the removal. Projects over 48 square feet or 10 linear feet also get their own L&I notification, normally filed at least 5 days before work starts.
Permits
Building and demolition permits come from the Thurston County Community Planning & Economic Development. This covers unincorporated Thurston County. Olympia and the other cities issue their own permits.
TAC handles the survey, the ORCAA and L&I notices and the abatement. Questions about your project? Read the FAQ or call us.
The Tacoma Smelter Plume reaches Thurston County
Washington Ecology’s smelter plume studies covered Thurston County, and the mapped plume area runs as far south as East Olympia. Levels are lower here than around Tacoma, but it is worth checking your address before any project that moves soil.
What we do in Thurston County
- Asbestos Abatement & Encapsulation
- Asbestos & Mold Survey / Inspection
- Lead Remediation & Stabilization
- Mold Remediation
- General & Select Demolition
- Total Loss Inventory
Restoration or mitigation contractor? See how we work with restoration crews.
Cities in Thurston County
Common questions in Thurston County
Do I need an asbestos survey before remodeling or demolishing in Thurston County?
A renovation that disturbs 48 square feet or more of suspect material needs a survey by an AHERA certified building inspector. Owners of a single-family residence can instead have samples analyzed by an accredited (NVLAP) lab. Before a demolition, an AHERA survey is always required. Thurston County, WA falls under the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency.
How long is the waiting period after notifying ORCAA?
Asbestos removal waits 10 days after notice (14 days for projects under federal NESHAP rules). Demolition waits 14 days, counted from when ORCAA has the complete form, survey and payment. ORCAA can waive the waiting period on written request for a sudden hazard, to protect equipment or utilities, or when asbestos turns up that the survey missed. Emergency notifications cost double.
Does Tacoma Abatement Company work in Thurston County?
Yes. Our yard at 3829 S M Street in Tacoma is about 28 road miles from Olympia. Estimates are free and on site. Abatement projects have an $800 minimum. Call (253) 830-5945, Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM.