Cal. Civ. Code § 254.11

Definitions.

In Force
Verified 10/26/2026 · Next check 11/2/2026
effective 10/15/2026WisconsinMold, Asbestos & Indoor Air

Operative Text

Cal. Civ. Code § 254.11
254.11 Definitions. In this subchapter:
(1) “Asbestos” means chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, fibrous tremolite, fibrous actinolite or fibrous anthophyllite.
(2) “Asbestos abatement activity” means any activity which disturbs asbestos-containing material, including but not limited to the repair, enclosure, encapsulation or removal of asbestos-containing material and the renovation or demolition of any part of a structure.
(3) “Asbestos-containing material” means asbestos or any material or product which contains more than one percent of asbestos.
(4) “Asbestos management activity” means an inspection for asbestos-containing material, the design of an asbestos response action or the development of an asbestos management plan.
(4g) “Certificate of lead-free status” means a certificate issued by a certified lead risk assessor or other person certified under s. 254.176 that documents a finding by the assessor that a premises, dwelling or unit of a dwelling is free of lead-bearing paint as of the date specified on the certificate.
(4h) “Certificate of lead-safe status” means a certificate issued by a certified lead risk assessor or other person certified under s. 254.176 that documents that the assessor detected no lead-bearing paint hazards affecting the premises, dwelling or unit of the dwelling on the date specified on the certificate.
(5) “Dwelling” means any structure, all or part of which is designed or used for human habitation.
(5m) “Elevated blood lead level” means a level of lead in blood that is any of the following:
(a) Twenty or more micrograms per 100 milliliters of blood, as confirmed by one venous blood test.
(b) Fifteen or more micrograms per 100 milliliters of blood, as confirmed by 2 venous blood tests that are performed at least 90 days apart.
(6) “Fibrous” means having parallel sides and a length which is at least 3 times the diameter and which results in an aspect ratio of 3 to one or more.
(7) “Hematofluorometer” means an instrument used in identification of minute amounts of a substance in human blood by detection and measurement of the characteristic wavelength of the light emitted by the substance during fluorescence.
(7g) “Imminent lead hazard” means a lead hazard that, if allowed to continue, will place a child under 6 years of age at risk of developing lead poisoning or lead exposure, as determined by the department or other state agency, a local health department or a federal agency.
(7r) “Interim control activity” means any set of measures designed to temporarily reduce human exposure or likely exposure to a lead hazard, including specialized cleaning, repair, maintenance, painting, temporary containment and ongoing monitoring of lead hazards or potential lead hazards.
(8) “Lead-bearing paint” means any paint or other surface coating material containing more than 0.06 percent lead by weight, calculated as lead metal, in the total nonvolatile content of liquid paint, more than 0.5 percent lead by weight in the dried film of applied paint, or more than 1 milligram of lead per square centimeter in the dried film of applied paint.
(8d) “Lead-bearing paint hazard” has the meaning specified by rule by the department.
(8g) “Lead hazard” means any substance, surface or object that contains lead and that, due to its condition, location or nature, may contribute to the lead poisoning or lead exposure of a child under 6 years of age.
(8j) “Lead hazard abatement” means any set of measures designed to permanently eliminate a lead hazard, including all of the following:
(a) The removal of lead-bearing paint and lead-contaminated dust, the permanent containment or encapsulation of lead-bearing paint, the replacement of surfaces or fixtures painted with lead-bearing paint, and the removal or covering of lead-contaminated soil.
(b) All preparation, clean-up, disposal and postabatement clearance testing activities associated with the measures under par. (a).
(8n) “Lead hazard reduction” means actions designed to reduce human exposure to lead hazards, including lead hazard abatement and interim control activities involving lead-bearing paint or lead-contaminated dust or soil or clearance activities that determine whether an environment contains a lead hazard.
(8s) “Lead investigation” means a measure or set of measures designed to identify the presence of lead or lead hazards, including examination of painted or varnished surfaces, paint, dust, water and other environmental media.
(8u) “Lead management activity” means a lead investigation or the design or management of lead hazard reduction.
(9) “Lead poisoning or lead exposure” means a level of lead in the blood of 5 or more micrograms per 100 milliliters of blood.
(9g) “Lead risk assessor” has the meaning specified by rule by the department.
(9r) “Occupant” means a person who leases or lawfully resides in a dwelling or premises.
(10) “Owner” means a person who has legal title to any dwelling or premises.
(10m) “Premises” means any of the following:
(a) An educational or child care facility, including attached structures and the real property upon which the facility stands, that provides services to children under 6 years of age.
(b) Other classes of buildings and facilities, including attached structures and real property upon which the buildings or facilities stand, that the department determines by rule to pose a significant risk of contributing to the lead poisoning or lead exposure of children under 6 years of age.
(11) “Public employee” has the meaning given under s. 101.055 (2) (b).
(12) “School” means any local education agency, as defined in 20 USC 3381, the owner of any nonpublic, nonprofit elementary or secondary school building or any governing authority of any school operated under 20 USC 921 to 932.
(13) “Third-party payer” means a disability insurance policy that is required to provide coverage for a blood lead test under s. 632.895 (10) (a); a health maintenance organization or preferred provider plan under ch. 609; a health care coverage plan offered by the state under s. 40.51 (6); a self-insured health plan offered by a city or village under s. 66.0137 (4), a local governmental unit or technical college district under s. 66.0137 (4m), a town under s. 60.23 (25), a county under s. 59.52 (11) (c), or a school district under s. 120.13 (2) (b); or a health care plan operated by a cooperative association organized under s. 185.981.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Wisconsin Statute § 254.11 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the state's subchapter governing asbestos and lead hazards in dwellings and related premises. It defines key terms—such as "asbestos-containing material," "lead-bearing paint," "lead hazard abatement," and "elevated blood lead level"—that give precise legal meaning to concepts used in the rules that follow. These definitions set the boundaries for who qualifies as an "owner" or "occupant" and what activities count as abatement, management, or interim control. The provision itself does not impose duties but shapes how all other requirements in the subchapter are interpreted and applied.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 15, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Property owners and managers operating under Wisconsin's lead and asbestos rules should be familiar with the definitions in Wis. Stat. § 254.11, because terms like "owner," "dwelling," "lead-bearing paint," and "asbestos abatement activity" carry specific legal meanings that determine which obligations apply to a given property or activity. For example, the definition of "asbestos-containing material" covers any product with more than one percent asbestos, and "lead-bearing paint" is defined by precise thresholds of lead content—not general appearance or age of paint. Compliant operators typically ensure that any inspections, abatement work, or management plans they commission use certified professionals whose roles align with the definitions established in § 254.11.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Tenants living in Wisconsin dwellings benefit from understanding that Wis. Stat. § 254.11 defines the terms that underpin the state's lead and asbestos protections, including what counts as a "lead hazard," an "imminent lead hazard," and "lead poisoning or lead exposure." The definition of "occupant" in § 254.11 includes people who lease or lawfully reside in a dwelling, which means tenants generally fall within the scope of protections built on these definitions. Tenants who believe a lead or asbestos concern in their home may trigger obligations under this subchapter can explore options such as contacting a local health department, reaching out to a tenant-rights organization, or reviewing the rules that build on these definitions for guidance on available remedies.

General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.

Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.

Effective Timeline

Current
Oct 15, 2026
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References Out

Rules and statutes cited by this regulation

Wis. Stat. § 254.176
Not yet ingested
Wis. Stat. § 101.055
Not yet ingested
Wis. Stat. § 632.895
Not yet ingested
Wis. Stat. ch. 609
Not yet ingested
Wis. Stat. § 40.51
Not yet ingested
Wis. Stat. § 66.0137
Not yet ingested
Wis. Stat. § 60.23
Not yet ingested
Wis. Stat. § 59.52
Not yet ingested
Wis. Stat. § 120.13
Not yet ingested
Wis. Stat. § 185.981
Not yet ingested

References In

Rules and statutes that cite this regulation

Wis. Stat. § 100.20
Wis. Stat. § 101.91
Wis. Stat. § 710.15
Wis. Stat. § 710.15
Wis. Stat. ch. 704
Wis. Stat. § 710.15
Wis. Stat. ch. 704
Wis. Stat. § 710.15
Wis. Stat. ch. 704
Wis. Stat. § 704.17
Wis. Stat. § 100.20
Wis. Stat. § 704.01
Wis. Stat. § 799.44
Wis. Stat. ch. 704
Wis. Stat. ch. 704
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 704.29
Wis. Stat. § 704.085
Wis. Stat. § 799.45
Wis. Stat. § 704.29
Wis. Stat. § 66.0435
Wis. Stat. § 704.02
Wis. Stat. § 704.29
Wis. Stat. § 704.07
Wis. Stat. § 704.14
Wis. Stat. § 704.05
Wis. Stat. § 704.15
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 101.145
Wis. Stat. § 101.149
Wis. Stat. § 101.149
Wis. Stat. § 101.647
Wis. Stat. § 101.645
Wis. Stat. § 101.647
Wis. Stat. § 101.91
Wis. Stat. § 100.18
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 196.643
Wis. Stat. § 196.643
Wis. Stat. § 101.91
Wis. Stat. § 101.937
Wis. Stat. § 101.91
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 254.11
Wis. Stat. § 254.59
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 101.145
Wis. Stat. § 101.145
Wis. Stat. § 101.149
Wis. Stat. § 704.01
Wis. Stat. § 101.91
Wis. Stat. § 66.1011
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 101.132
Wis. Stat. § 66.1203
Wis. Stat. § 704.01
Wis. Stat. § 704.21
Wis. Stat. § 704.02
Wis. Stat. § 704.05
Wis. Stat. § 704.19
Wis. Stat. § 799.45
Wis. Stat. § 101.91
Wis. Stat. § 704.05
Wis. Stat. § 704.90
Wis. Stat. § 704.05
Wis. Stat. § 704.25
Wis. Stat. § 704.05
Wis. Stat. § 704.90
Wis. Stat. § 704.21
Wis. Stat. § 704.21
Wis. Stat. § 704.29
Wis. Stat. § 710.15
Wis. Stat. § 101.91
Wis. Stat. § 704.19
Wis. Stat. § 704.29
Wis. Stat. § 704.07
Wis. Stat. § 823.113
Wis. Stat. § 704.21
Wis. Stat. § 704.16
Wis. Stat. § 704.17
Wis. Stat. § 704.21
Wis. Stat. § 799.40
Wis. Stat. § 799.40
Wis. Stat. § 799.45
Wis. Stat. § 799.44
Wis. Stat. § 704.05
Wis. Stat. § 704.17
Wis. Stat. § 704.01
Wis. Stat. § 704.19
Wis. Stat. § 704.29
Wis. Stat. § 66.0435
Wis. Stat. § 799.45
Wis. Stat. § 704.27
Wis. Stat. § 704.19
Wis. Stat. § 704.21
Wis. Stat. § 704.02
Wis. Stat. § 704.29
Wis. Stat. § 704.07
Wis. Stat. § 704.14
Wis. Stat. § 704.07
Wis. Stat. § 704.28
Wis. Stat. § 100.20
Wis. Stat. § 66.0435
Wis. Stat. § 704.17
Wis. Stat. § 704.01
Wis. Stat. § 704.21
Wis. Stat. § 101.91
Wis. Stat. § 704.17
Wis. Stat. § 704.16
Wis. Stat. ch. 704
Wis. Stat. § 106.50
Wis. Stat. § 704.16
Wis. Stat. § 704.21
Wis. Stat. § 704.09

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Source Information

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Fetched:Oct 15, 2026, 12:31 PM UTC