California CSLB Hazardous Substance Removal Contractor D-64 / C-61 Attorney Fee Petition Mechanics: Tyler Odyssey Civil Complaint Date as Primary Welch Anchor, CSLB License Check (D-64 / C-61) as Secondary Anchor (THE ONLY D-64 Hazardous Substance Removal Page in This Series — DISTINCT FROM C-22 Asbestos Abatement [Bus. & Prof. Code § 7058.5 — D-64 Does NOT Substitute for C-22]; CDPH RRP Certified Firm Advisory [Title 17 CCR §§ 35001–35099 — THE ONLY D-64-SPECIFIC RRP Advisory in the Series]; DTSC EnviroStor Database Advisory [Health & Safety Code §§ 25100 et seq.]; THREE TOTAL INSTITUTIONAL ANCHORS: CSLB + DTSC EnviroStor + CDPH RRP Certified Firm Database; Lead-Based Paint Removal Occupant Exposure / UST Contaminated Soil Improper Disposal DTSC Cleanup Order / Meth Lab Decontamination Health & Safety Code § 25400.45 Reoccupancy Restriction Three-Track Harm; Bus. & Prof. Code § 7031(b) Disgorgement), CLRA § 1780 Mandatory Attorney Fees

Statutory Framework: Bus. & Prof. Code § 7028, D-64 / C-61 Hazardous Substance Removal, CDPH RRP Advisory, DTSC EnviroStor Advisory, Three-Database Advisory, § 7031(b) Disgorgement, and CLRA § 1780 Mandatory Attorney Fees

California Business and Professions Code § 7028 prohibits unlicensed contracting. The CSLB D-64 (Hazardous Substance Removal) limited specialty designation under C-61 authorizes hazardous substance removal other than asbestos (which requires the separate C-22 Asbestos Abatement license under Bus. & Prof. Code § 7058.5): lead-based paint removal and disturbance (renovation, repair, and painting involving lead paint disruption); PCB-containing building material removal (PCB-containing caulking and sealants, PCB ballast replacement); UST underground petroleum-contaminated soil excavation (soil removal, not tank removal itself — which also requires SWRCB UST contractor certification); methamphetamine lab structural decontamination (wall cavity sampling, HEPA vacuuming, chemical decontamination of surfaces); industrial chemical spill cleanup. D-64 is NOT a substitute for C-22 Asbestos Abatement — an unlicensed D-64 who also performs asbestos-containing material removal without a C-22 license violates Bus. & Prof. Code § 7058.5 in addition to § 7028.

CDPH RRP Certified Firm (Title 17 CCR §§ 35001–35099, California Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule) — a firm performing renovation, repair, or painting in pre-1978 residential housing or child-occupied facilities disturbing ≥6 sq ft (interior) or ≥20 sq ft (exterior) of painted surfaces must hold CDPH RRP Certified Firm designation. CDPH RRP Certified Firm database is searchable at cdph.ca.gov/programs/CLPPB. Title 17 CCR §§ 35001–35099 is California administrative code — CDPH administrative enforcement. PURE KETCHUM: CDPH RRP violation creates no mandatory civil attorney fees; lead dust dispersal damages are recoverable as CLRA actual damages.

DTSC Hazardous Waste Management (Health & Safety Code §§ 25100 et seq.) — DTSC EnviroStor database at envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov is searchable by property address and APN to confirm: property contamination status, active DTSC cleanup orders, UST case records, and investigation/remediation status. THREE TOTAL INSTITUTIONAL ANCHORS: (1) CSLB License Check (D-64/C-61); (2) DTSC EnviroStor database; (3) CDPH RRP Certified Firm database. California Code of Regulations Title 22 § 66261.24 (characteristic of ignitability for petroleum-contaminated soil) and Health & Safety Code § 25400.45 (meth lab decontamination sampling standards) are California administrative code. PURE KETCHUM on all three regulatory frameworks. EPA RCRA (40 C.F.R. Part 261) federal hazardous waste administrative enforcement — PURE KETCHUM.

Three Unique Distinctions in the Fee-Petition-Mechanics Series

• THE ONLY D-64/C-61 HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE REMOVAL PAGE IN THE FEE-PETITION-MECHANICS SERIES — DISTINCT FROM C-22 ASBESTOS ABATEMENT [Bus. & Prof. Code § 7058.5 specifically requires C-22 for all ACM removal; D-64 does NOT substitute for C-22; an unlicensed D-64 who also removes ACM without a C-22 license creates a § 7028 + § 7058.5 dual violation]; CDPH RRP CERTIFIED FIRM ADVISORY — THE ONLY D-64-SPECIFIC RRP ADVISORY IN THE SERIES [the D-4 Painting and Decorating page has a D-4-specific RRP advisory for decorative painting context; the D-64 RRP advisory covers structural comprehensive lead-based paint removal and large-scale surface preparation in pre-1978 structures — the highest-dust-generation RRP work category]; TITLE 17 CCR §§ 35001–35099 CALIFORNIA LEAD RENOVATION REPAIR AND PAINTING RULE: the CDPH RRP Certified Firm advisory generates pre-complaint research hours unique to D-64 hazardous substance removal matters: (a) confirming CSLB C-61/D-64 license status at contractors.ca.gov — confirming D-64 limited specialty designation presence or absence; confirming absence of C-22 Asbestos Abatement license if ACM disturbance occurred; (b) searching CDPH RRP Certified Firm database at cdph.ca.gov/programs/CLPPB by contractor name — confirming CDPH RRP Certified Firm designation presence or absence; (c) confirming whether the subject structure was built before 1978 — pre-1978 structures are presumed to contain lead-based paint on disturbed surfaces per Title 17 CCR § 35010; (d) measuring disturbed paint surface area — interior >6 sq ft or exterior >20 sq ft triggers Title 17 CCR RRP requirements; (e) documenting HEPA containment setup, negative air pressure isolation procedures, HEPA vacuuming and wet wiping of surfaces, and final clearance testing (wipe sampling) — absence of proper containment is the primary lead dust dispersal mechanism; (f) confirming blood lead level testing for occupants (particularly children under age 6) as CLRA actual damage component.
• THREE TOTAL INSTITUTIONAL ANCHORS — CSLB License Check (D-64/C-61) + DTSC EnviroStor database at envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov + CDPH RRP Certified Firm database at cdph.ca.gov/programs/CLPPB — THE ONLY D-CLASS PAGE IN THE SERIES WITH DTSC EnviroStor AS A SECOND ANCHOR AND CDPH RRP AS A THIRD ANCHOR — DISTINCT FROM D-60 Waste Water Treatment [D-60 uses RWQCB GeoTracker as second anchor; D-64 uses DTSC EnviroStor — two different environmental agency databases]; DISTINCT FROM D-4 Painting and Decorating [D-4 uses CDPH RRP as second anchor; D-64 uses DTSC EnviroStor as second anchor and CDPH RRP as third anchor — three-database structure]: the three-database structure for D-64 matters maximizes pre-complaint research hour entitlement: (a) CSLB License Check at contractors.ca.gov — D-64 limited specialty designation search; confirming whether contractor also lacks C-22 for ACM work; (b) DTSC EnviroStor database at envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov — searching by property address and APN; confirming UST case records and contamination extent; confirming whether a DTSC cleanup order is active against the property; confirming corrective action completion status for UST petroleum contamination; each database search generates a separately documented, fee-petition-eligible time entry; (c) CDPH RRP Certified Firm database at cdph.ca.gov/programs/CLPPB — searching by contractor name; confirming CDPH RRP Certified Firm designation status; absence of CDPH RRP certification for pre-1978 structure comprehensive lead paint removal confirms Title 17 CCR §§ 35001–35099 regulatory violation and creates additional pre-complaint advisory research.
• THE ONLY page with LEAD-BASED PAINT REMOVAL IN PRE-1978 STRUCTURE WITHOUT CDPH RRP CERTIFIED FIRM → OCCUPANT LEAD DUST EXPOSURE / UST PETROLEUM-CONTAMINATED SOIL EXCAVATION WITHOUT CSLB D-64 AND WITHOUT SWRCB UST CERTIFICATION → DTSC CLEANUP ORDER TITLE DEFECT / METHAMPHETAMINE LAB STRUCTURAL DECONTAMINATION WITHOUT CERTIFIED D-64 → HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 25400.45 POST-DECONTAMINATION SAMPLING FAILURE → REOCCUPANCY RESTRICTION three-track harm — DISTINCT FROM C-22 Asbestos Abatement [C-22 covers ACM removal — Track 1 involves lead paint, not asbestos]; DISTINCT FROM D-60 Waste Water Treatment [D-60 covers OWTS/septic — Track 2 involves petroleum UST soil contamination]; DISTINCT FROM D-4 Painting and Decorating [D-4 covers decorative painting incidental lead paint disturbance; D-64 Track 1 covers deliberate comprehensive lead paint removal]: Track 1 — LEAD-BASED PAINT REMOVAL IN PRE-1978 STRUCTURE WITHOUT CDPH RRP CERTIFIED FIRM → IMPROPER HEPA CONTAINMENT AND NEGATIVE AIR PRESSURE ISOLATION → LEAD DUST DISPERSAL THROUGHOUT OCCUPIED RESIDENCE: an unlicensed D-64/C-61 performing comprehensive lead-based paint removal in a pre-1978 residential structure (disturbing >6 sq ft interior painted surface) without CDPH RRP Certified Firm designation fails to establish the required HEPA containment and negative air pressure isolation before commencing paint removal; dry sanding or mechanical scarification of lead-based paint surfaces without HEPA containment releases lead dust particles (median particle size 1–10 μm) that are readily airborne and migrate throughout the residence via HVAC ductwork and natural air infiltration; lead dust settles on horizontal surfaces, contaminating children's play areas, window sills, floors, and kitchen surfaces; occupants (particularly children under age 6, for whom blood lead level action threshold is 3.5 μg/dL per CDC 2021 reference value) are exposed to elevated lead dust concentrations; blood lead level testing required; medical monitoring for chelation therapy if BLL exceeds action level; decontamination of residence (HEPA vacuuming of all surfaces, wet wiping, clearance wipe sampling at CDPH 40 μg/sq ft clearance standard) required; CDPH Title 17 CCR §§ 35001–35099 administrative enforcement — PURE KETCHUM; blood lead level testing, medical monitoring, and residence decontamination costs are CLRA actual damages; Track 2 — UST PETROLEUM-CONTAMINATED SOIL EXCAVATION WITHOUT CSLB D-64/C-61 AND WITHOUT SWRCB UST CONTRACTOR CERTIFICATION → IMPROPER SOIL CHARACTERIZATION AND DISPOSAL → DTSC CLEANUP ORDER TITLE DEFECT: an unlicensed D-64/C-61 who excavates petroleum-contaminated soil from a UST site without proper soil characterization and waste manifesting — manifesting high-TPH soil (>100 ppm TPH) as non-hazardous fill soil and disposing at a municipal solid waste landfill rather than a Class I or Class II hazardous waste facility — violates California Code of Regulations Title 22 § 66261.24 (characteristic of ignitability for petroleum-contaminated soils) and potentially violates DTSC hazardous waste manifesting requirements under Health & Safety Code §§ 25100 et seq.; DTSC investigates the improper disposal and issues a cleanup order against the subject property recorded in the EnviroStor database; the DTSC cleanup order is a recorded title encumbrance requiring investigation, additional soil sampling, and remediation before the order can be resolved — creating a title defect under Civil Code § 1102 seller disclosure requirements; property value diminution from DTSC cleanup order title defect, additional soil sampling and remediation costs, and DTSC permit fees are CLRA actual damages; SWRCB UST contractor certification is a separate administrative requirement — administrative enforcement only — PURE KETCHUM; EPA RCRA (40 C.F.R. Part 261) federal administrative enforcement for hazardous waste characterization — PURE KETCHUM; Track 3 — METHAMPHETAMINE LAB STRUCTURAL DECONTAMINATION WITHOUT CERTIFIED D-64 HAZMAT CONTRACTOR → RESIDUAL METHAMPHETAMINE ABOVE HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 25400.45 POST-DECONTAMINATION SAMPLING STANDARD → PROPERTY REOCCUPANCY RESTRICTION: California Health & Safety Code § 25400.45 requires post-decontamination sampling of former methamphetamine lab properties to confirm that surface residue methamphetamine concentrations do not exceed 1.5 μg/100 cm² (the CDPH-established cleanup standard); an unlicensed D-64/C-61 who performs methamphetamine lab structural decontamination without proper HEPA vacuum removal of visible methamphetamine residue from all porous surfaces (drywall, subfloor, insulation, HVAC ductwork), without application of TSP or proprietary decontamination agent, and without final wipe sampling by a CDPH-certified industrial hygienist fails to achieve the § 25400.45 post-decontamination standard; the post-decontamination wipe sampling exceeds 1.5 μg/100 cm² on multiple surfaces; the local health officer issues a reoccupancy restriction order under Health & Safety Code § 25400.28 — the property cannot be reoccupied until supplemental decontamination and passing clearance sampling are completed; a reoccupancy restriction order recorded against the property is a Civil Code § 1102 seller disclosure title defect; property value diminution, supplemental decontamination cost, clearance sampling cost, and temporary relocation cost are CLRA actual damages; CARB atmospheric release for precursor chemical volatilization is administrative — PURE KETCHUM.

PURE KETCHUM for Bus. & Prof. Code § 7028 D-64 / C-61 Hazardous Substance Removal licensing violations: CDPH Title 17 CCR §§ 35001–35099 RRP rule is California administrative enforcement — PURE KETCHUM; DTSC Health & Safety Code §§ 25100 et seq. hazardous waste administrative enforcement — PURE KETCHUM; SWRCB UST contractor certification administrative enforcement — PURE KETCHUM; Health & Safety Code § 25400.45 meth lab decontamination sampling standard administrative enforcement — PURE KETCHUM; CARB atmospheric release administrative — PURE KETCHUM; EPA RCRA 40 C.F.R. Part 261 federal administrative enforcement — PURE KETCHUM; no federal mandatory civil attorney fees for homeowners against unlicensed D-64 hazardous substance removal contractors; no Dague constraint on CLRA lodestar; CLRA § 1780 mandatory attorney fee entitlement is pure Ketchum; Ketchum v. Moses 24 Cal.4th 1122 (2001); PLCM Group Inc. v. Drexler 22 Cal.4th 1084 (2000); Hensley v. Eckerhart 461 U.S. 424 (1983); Missouri v. Jenkins 491 U.S. 274 (1989) fees-on-fees.

Primary Welch Anchor: Tyler Odyssey Civil Complaint Filing Date

The Tyler Odyssey civil complaint filing date is the primary Welch temporal anchor. In D-64 hazardous substance removal matters, the attorney files after confirming CSLB C-61/D-64 license status, confirming absence of C-22 license if ACM work occurred, searching the DTSC EnviroStor database for the subject property, searching the CDPH RRP Certified Firm database for the contractor, documenting lead dust dispersal evidence and blood lead level testing results, confirming DTSC cleanup order status, confirming meth lab decontamination clearance sampling failure, quantifying CLRA damages across all three harm tracks, and serving the CLRA § 1782 demand. The CSLB D-64/C-61 License Check date is the secondary Welch anchor. Ketchum v. Moses 24 Cal.4th 1122 (2001); PLCM Group Inc. v. Drexler 22 Cal.4th 1084 (2000).

Secondary Anchor: CSLB License Check (D-64 / C-61 Hazardous Substance Removal) — THE ONLY D-64 Specialty Anchor in the Fee-Petition-Mechanics Series

The CSLB License Check must confirm the C-61/D-64 Hazardous Substance Removal limited specialty designation — distinct from C-22 (Asbestos Abatement, which requires a separate Bus. & Prof. Code § 7058.5 license for any ACM work). Three scenarios generate § 7028 liability: (a) no CSLB license at all; (b) expired, suspended, or revoked C-61/D-64 license; (c) a general handyman or C-33 Painting contractor who performs lead paint removal beyond the handyman or decorative painting scope without a D-64 license — or a general contractor who subcontracts UST soil excavation or meth lab decontamination to an unlicensed D-64 subcontractor. This page is THE ONLY D-64 Hazardous Substance Removal specialty anchor in the fee-petition-mechanics series.

Billing Gap 1 — CSLB D-64/C-61 License Check, DTSC EnviroStor Database Search, CDPH RRP Certified Firm Database Search, and § 1782 Demand (5.25 hrs/yr = $1,575–$2,625)

The first billing gap covers pre-complaint advisory for D-64 hazardous substance removal matters.

• Searching CSLB License Check for C-61/D-64 designation and establishing the secondary Welch anchor: confirming D-64 limited specialty designation; C-22 vs. D-64 scope analysis for ACM vs. lead paint and other hazardous substance removal work; confirming whether a C-22 license was also required if ACM disturbance occurred.
• Searching DTSC EnviroStor database — THE ONLY advisory in the series requiring DTSC EnviroStor database search — second institutional anchor for D-64 hazardous substance removal matters: searching envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov by property address and APN; confirming UST case records and contamination extent; confirming whether a DTSC cleanup order is active against the property; confirming corrective action completion status; documenting EnviroStor cleanup order as title encumbrance evidence.
• Searching CDPH RRP Certified Firm database — third institutional anchor: searching cdph.ca.gov/programs/CLPPB by contractor name; confirming CDPH RRP Certified Firm designation status for pre-1978 structure lead paint removal work; documenting absence of CDPH RRP certification as Title 17 CCR §§ 35001–35099 regulatory violation.
• Confirming pre-1978 construction date — establishing Lead Renovation Repair and Painting rule applicability: confirming structure year built from county assessor records (APN search); confirming disturbed paint surface area exceeds Title 17 CCR § 35010 RRP trigger threshold (>6 sq ft interior or >20 sq ft exterior).
• Quantifying § 7031(b) disgorgement and CLRA § 1780 actual damages (blood lead level testing, residence decontamination, DTSC remediation, meth lab re-decontamination, reoccupancy delay) and serving § 1782 demand: D-64 hazardous substance removal contracts range from $5,000 to $100,000+ for UST soil remediation.

Billing Gap 2 — Active Litigation: Industrial Hygienist, Environmental Engineer, and Three-Track Damage Quantification (4.00 hrs/yr = $1,200–$2,000)

The second billing gap covers expert coordination across the three D-64 harm tracks.

• Retaining a CDPH-certified industrial hygienist (IH) — to evaluate Track 1 lead dust dispersal from improper RRP containment, conduct clearance wipe sampling per CDPH 40 μg/sq ft standard, and document Track 3 methamphetamine residue above Health & Safety Code § 25400.45 post-decontamination standard: CDPH-certified IH performs clearance wipe sampling for both lead (NIOSH 9100 analytical method) and methamphetamine (§ 25400.45 wipe sampling at 1.5 μg/100 cm² standard), documents deficient results, and estimates supplemental decontamination cost as CLRA actual damages.
• Coordinating with a licensed environmental engineer or DTSC-certified remediation professional — to evaluate Track 2 UST petroleum-contaminated soil excavation, review soil characterization records, and document improper hazardous waste disposal as DTSC cleanup order cause: environmental engineer reviews soil boring logs, laboratory analytical results (TPH concentration), waste manifest records, and DTSC case file to confirm improper soil characterization and disposal causation.
• Coordinating with a pediatric physician — to document occupant blood lead level testing results and medical monitoring costs for Track 1 lead exposure actual damages: pediatric physician documents blood lead level test results for children under age 6, recommends chelation therapy if indicated, and quantifies medical monitoring costs as CLRA actual damages.
• Settlement valuation incorporating all three harm tracks and CLRA § 1780 mandatory attorney fees: D-64 multi-track settlement demand integrates blood lead level testing and medical monitoring, DTSC remediation costs, property value diminution from EnviroStor cleanup order, and meth lab re-decontamination and clearance sampling costs.

Billing Gap 3 — CLRA § 1780 Fee Petition, Pure Ketchum Multiplier, Lodestar Documentation, and Missouri v. Jenkins Fees-on-Fees (4.00 hrs/yr = $1,200–$2,000)

The third billing gap covers fee recovery preparation across all three D-64 harm tracks.

• Documenting the CLRA § 1780 lodestar from the CSLB D-64/C-61 License Check date: DTSC EnviroStor database search hours, CDPH RRP Certified Firm database search hours, pre-1978 construction date confirmation hours, Title 17 CCR §§ 35001–35099 RRP research hours, Health & Safety Code §§ 25100 et seq. DTSC hazardous waste advisory research hours, Title 22 CCR § 66261.24 soil characterization research hours, Health & Safety Code § 25400.45 meth lab decontamination standard research hours, CDPH-certified IH coordination hours, environmental engineer coordination hours, pediatric physician coordination hours, three-track damages analysis hours — all fee-petition-eligible.
• Briefing the pure Ketchum multiplier: novelty/difficulty — Title 17 CCR §§ 35001–35099 CDPH RRP rule analysis (6 sq ft interior/20 sq ft exterior trigger; HEPA containment; clearance wipe sampling at 40 μg/sq ft); D-64 vs. C-22 dual licensing analysis for ACM work; DTSC Health & Safety Code §§ 25100 et seq. hazardous waste characterization and disposal analysis (Title 22 CCR § 66261.24 ignitability characteristic); SWRCB UST contractor certification dual-certification analysis; Health & Safety Code § 25400.45 meth lab 1.5 μg/100 cm² post-decontamination standard analysis; Civil Code § 1102 seller disclosure title defect analysis for DTSC cleanup order and reoccupancy restriction; EPA RCRA 40 C.F.R. Part 261 federal-California dual-enforcement analysis; no Dague constraint on CLRA lodestar; Ketchum v. Moses 24 Cal.4th 1122 (2001); PLCM Group Inc. v. Drexler 22 Cal.4th 1084 (2000).
• Missouri v. Jenkins fees-on-fees for the fee petition: Missouri v. Jenkins 491 U.S. 274 (1989); Hensley v. Eckerhart 461 U.S. 424 (1983).

Total Annual Billing Gap — Three-Gap Summary

• Gap 1 (D-64 CSLB search, DTSC EnviroStor database search, CDPH RRP database search, pre-1978 construction confirmation, § 1782 demand): 5.25 hrs = $1,575–$2,625/yr
• Gap 2 (CDPH-certified IH, environmental engineer, pediatric physician, three-track damage quantification): 4.00 hrs = $1,200–$2,000/yr
• Gap 3 (CLRA § 1780 fee petition, pure Ketchum multiplier, lodestar documentation, fees-on-fees): 4.00 hrs = $1,200–$2,000/yr
• Total: 13.25 hrs = $3,975–$6,625/yr untracked at $300–$500/hr median California solo practitioner rate

Related California Attorney Fee Petition Pages

• California CSLB Asbestos Abatement Contractor C-22 — Bus. & Prof. Code § 7028 and § 7058.5 (ACM Removal)
• California CSLB Waste Water Treatment Contractor D-60 / C-61 — Bus. & Prof. Code § 7028 (RWQCB GeoTracker Advisory)
• California CSLB Automatic Fire Extinguishing Systems Contractor D-1 / C-61 — Bus. & Prof. Code § 7028
• California Contractors State License Board — Bus. & Prof. Code § 7028 (General CSLB Unlicensed Contracting)