environmental_hazards_and_regulations
Table of Contents
Environmental Hazards and Regulations
Environmental laws and natural conditions can restrict land use and affect value.
1. Common Environmental Hazards
- Asbestos: insulation and fireproofing in older buildings
- Lead-based paint: residential properties built before 1978
- Mold: moisture-related indoor air hazard
- Radon: naturally occurring radioactive gas
- Underground storage tanks (USTs): petroleum or chemical leakage
- Methamphetamine contamination: chemical residue from illegal labs
2. Natural Hazards
- Earthquake fault zones
- Flood hazard areas
- Wildfire hazard severity zones
- Landslides and soil instability
California requires Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD) reports.
3. Environmental Regulations
- California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): environmental impact review for development projects
- Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations
- State and local hazardous waste laws
- Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act
4. Licensee Responsibilities
- Disclose known environmental hazards
- Recommend expert inspections when appropriate
- Avoid providing technical opinions beyond licensee expertise
- Use statutory disclosure forms when required
Failure to disclose material facts may result in liability.
environmental_hazards_and_regulations.txt · Last modified: by reidjs