What you need to know
How Each State Handles Meth and Fentanyl Contamination
If a home, rental or vehicle has been contaminated by meth or fentanyl, here is what your state requires: who can test it, who can clean it, and the clearance level it has to meet.
Drug-residue rules are set by each state, and they vary a lot. Some states license testers and cleanup crews and publish a cleanup limit. Most have no program at all. Use the map or the list below to see what applies where your property or vehicle is, with links to the agency or law that sets the rule. Before you hire anyone, read why the cheapest cleanup often costs more.
- 21 stateshave a drug-site cleanup program
- 18 statespublish a numeric cleanup limit
- Checked November 10, 2026against the agency and legal sources linked below
Key points
What most people need to know before testing or cleaning a property or vehicle.
Most rules start with a police report.
In most states the cleanup rules kick in only after law enforcement finds a place where drugs were made and the property is posted, listed or quarantined. A home or car where drugs were only used usually falls outside them.
A few states go further.
Colorado covers meth use and requires a state-certified consultant for any test meant to count. Montana now covers meth and fentanyl use residue. Washington's health department says meth sampling needs certification. Utah counts meth use above its standard. West Virginia's rule wording is broad enough that it's worth asking the state first.
Fentanyl is named in only two cleanup laws.
California sets a below-detection standard for fentanyl manufacturing or storage. Montana added fentanyl, including use residue, in 2025. Several other states cover any illegally made drug, which takes in fentanyl manufacturing.
Vehicles are covered in some states.
Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Utah, Indiana, Minnesota and New Mexico name vehicles in their rules. California, Idaho, Michigan and West Virginia cover RVs or vehicles used as homes. Elsewhere, vehicle cleanup mostly falls under general safety and waste rules.
The numbers don't match.
Meth limits run from 0.05 µg/100 cm² in Arkansas to 1.5 in California, Washington, Montana and Virginia. A result that passes in one state can fail in the next, so the state where the property sits decides which number applies.
Some rules apply everywhere.
OSHA HAZWOPER training, respiratory protection, hazardous waste disposal and ordinary contractor licensing apply in every state, with or without a drug-specific program. Many states point to the EPA voluntary guidelines.
Cleanup limits by state
Tap a state to see its cleanup limit and the rule that sets it.
- Numeric cleanup limit in a law, rule or state guidance
- Drug-site law or program, no verified number
- No state program found
Clearance levels shown in µg/100 cm² (meth). M = meth · F = fentanyl · ND = non-detect · * = set in state guidance, not a statute or rule · † New Mexico: 1.0 µg/ft² for any illegally made drug. Tap a state for the source.
Select a state on the map or from the menu.
Limits are surface wipe levels for meth unless noted. Most apply to properties in a state's program, such as homes posted after a police report. Guidance numbers are marked as guidance in each state's entry.
Cleanup limits at a glance
The same information as the map, in a table.
All other states and DC: no state program found. See the full list.
State-by-state summary
Search for a state, or filter by type. Open a state for who can test, who can clean, vehicles, and links.
Alabama
No state program foundNo state drug-residue cleanup program found. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
Alaska
Program after a police reportCleanup limit
- Meth: 0.1 µg/100 cm²Alaska DEC Guidance and Standards for Cleanup of Illegal Drug-Manufacturing Sites (2007), Table 2-2
- What starts it
- Applies once law enforcement reports a property used to make illegal drugs. DEC then decides when it is fit for use again.
- Drugs covered
- Manufacture of any controlled substance. The numeric standard is for meth.
- Vehicles
- Not addressed in what we reviewed.
- Testing
- No state license for testing.
- Cleanup
- No state license. DEC recommends a contractor with 40-hour HAZWOPER training.
More info: Alaska DEC cleanup guidance (PDF) · Alaska DEC Contaminated Sites
Arizona
No state program foundArizona repealed its drug-site cleanup and contractor registration law in 2016. There is no state program now; general OSHA, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: 2016 repeal bill, SB 1256 (PDF)
Arkansas
Certified contractor once a site is foundCleanup limit
- Meth: 0.05 µg/100 cm²Arkansas DEQ remediation cleanup standards
- What starts it
- Starts when there is evidence a property was used to make drugs. An owner who finds that evidence must have a DEQ-certified contractor inspect it.
- Drugs covered
- Manufacture of any controlled substance. Meth use alone is outside the program.
- Vehicles
- Probably covered for drug-making cases (the rule covers "real or personal property"), but vehicles are not named.
- Testing
- A DEQ-certified remediation contractor inspects and samples drug-making sites.
- Cleanup
- Same DEQ certification. DEQ approves the final report and issues a No Further Action letter.
More info: Arkansas DEQ program page · Rule: 8 CAR Part 84 (PDF)
California
Program after a police or owner reportCleanup limit
- Meth: 1.5 µg/100 cm²Health & Safety Code §25400.16(a)
- Fentanyl: below the detection levelHealth & Safety Code §25400.16(d), added by AB 1596 (2019)
Both limits apply under the Methamphetamine or Fentanyl Contaminated Property Cleanup Act. The statute says they give way if a state or federal agency adopts a health-based standard.
- What starts it
- Starts when law enforcement, or the owner, notifies the county health officer. The health officer posts the property and issues a cleanup order.
- Drugs covered
- Meth and fentanyl manufacturing or storage, including pill pressing. Use alone is not covered.
- Vehicles
- Only mobile homes, manufactured homes and RVs in mobile home or special occupancy parks. Ordinary cars are not covered.
- Testing
- The assessment must be done by an "authorized contractor" (Cal/OSHA HAZWOPER-trained), and the work plan and report are signed by a Certified Industrial Hygienist. Counties can add requirements.
- Cleanup
- Owner must hire an authorized contractor once an order is issued.
More info: H&SC §25400.16 (California Legislature) · The full Act, H&SC 25400.10–25400.47
Colorado
Reaches meth use, not just police casesCleanup limit
- Meth: 0.5 µg/100 cm²6 CCR 1014-3, Part 1 §7.1 (4 µg/100 cm² in limited-exposure areas such as attics; 1.5 for painted-over surfaces)
A screening result over 0.2 µg/100 cm² means the owner must either treat the property as meth-affected or run full clearance sampling (§3.6).
- What starts it
- Applies after a police notice, whenever an owner learns a property is meth-affected (meth use counts), and to any screening test meant to count under the rules.
- Drugs covered
- Meth only, including use. No fentanyl standard.
- Vehicles
- Yes. The rule has its own vehicle clearance protocol, and CDPHE says it applies to vehicles contaminated by meth use.
- Testing
- Only a CDPHE-certified Consultant (an industrial hygienist independent of the cleanup contractor) can do sampling that counts, including screening.
- Cleanup
- CDPHE-certified Contractor, with certified supervisors and workers, once the owner knows the property is meth-affected.
More info: CDPHE meth-affected properties · Rule: 6 CCR 1014-3 (PDF)
Connecticut
No state program foundNo state drug-residue cleanup program found. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: Connecticut Department of Public Health
Delaware
No state program foundState law covers penalties, restitution or disclosure for drug-making sites, but we found no state cleanup program or testing license. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: Delaware DNREC
District of Columbia
No state program foundNo state drug-residue cleanup program found. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: DC Department of Energy & Environment
Florida
No state program foundNo state drug-residue cleanup program found. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
Georgia
No state program foundNo state drug-residue cleanup program found. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: Georgia Environmental Protection Division
Hawaii
Health department approves the planCleanup limit
- Meth: 0.1 µg/100 cm²HDOH HEER guidance, Table 6-3
- What starts it
- Reported drug-making sites. The HDOH Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response (HEER) Office approves the sampling and work plan.
- Drugs covered
- Meth.
- Vehicles
- Not addressed in what we reviewed.
- Testing
- No tester license. HEER approves the plan.
- Cleanup
- No contractor license. HDOH recommends HAZWOPER-trained contractors.
More info: HDOH HEER Office
Idaho
Program after a police or owner reportCleanup limit
- See rule: cleanup standards are set by the Department of Health and WelfareIdaho Code §6-2604 and §6-2606
- What starts it
- Law enforcement notifies the owner and the Department of Health and Welfare, and the property goes on the state list. Owners can also report voluntarily.
- Drugs covered
- Places where any controlled substance was made or stored.
- Vehicles
- RVs count as residential property. Other vehicles do not.
- Testing
- Only a qualified industrial hygienist (CIH or registered professional IH) can clear a property for delisting.
- Cleanup
- No license. Owners can clean themselves or hire a contractor.
More info: Idaho DHW program page
Illinois
No state program foundNo state drug-residue cleanup program found. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: Illinois EPA
Indiana
Qualified inspector after a police reportCleanup limit
- Meth: 0.5 µg/100 cm²410 IAC 38, Table 1 (same level for several other drugs)
- What starts it
- Property identified by law enforcement as used to make an illegal drug.
- Drugs covered
- Any illegally manufactured controlled substance. Use alone is outside the rule.
- Vehicles
- Yes, vehicles, mobile homes and watercraft.
- Testing
- A qualified inspector on the Indiana Department of Health list must inspect and issue the certificate of decontamination.
- Cleanup
- Workers can do the cleanup under a listed inspector. Advertising to decontaminate these properties without a listing is barred.
More info: Rule: 410 IAC 38 (PDF) · Indiana Department of Health, environmental public health
Iowa
No state program foundIowa law lets the state handle decontamination of drug-making sites, but we found no private testing or cleanup license. General OSHA, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Kansas
No state program foundState law covers penalties, restitution or disclosure for drug-making sites, but we found no state cleanup program or testing license. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Kentucky
Certified contractor after a police findingCleanup limit
- Meth: 0.1 µg/100 cm²KRS 224.1-410
- What starts it
- Law enforcement finds that a building was used to make meth.
- Drugs covered
- Meth manufacture only.
- Vehicles
- Not covered (buildings and mobile homes; hotels excluded).
- Testing
- No separate tester certification.
- Cleanup
- Only contractors certified by the Energy and Environment Cabinet, with financial assurance and insurance.
More info: Kentucky contractor certification · KRS 224.1-410
Louisiana
No state program foundState law covers penalties, restitution or disclosure for drug-making sites, but we found no state cleanup program or testing license. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
Maine
No state program foundNo state drug-residue cleanup program found. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Maryland
No state program foundState law covers penalties, restitution or disclosure for drug-making sites, but we found no state cleanup program or testing license. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: Maryland Department of the Environment
Massachusetts
No state program foundNo state drug-residue cleanup program found. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Michigan
Local health enforcement, no state licenseCleanup limit
- Meth: 0.5 µg/100 cm²Michigan cleanup guidance (2007), Table 1
- What starts it
- Local health departments act after law enforcement finds a drug-making site.
- Drugs covered
- Illegal drug manufacturing. The guidance focuses on meth.
- Vehicles
- Only vehicles used as dwellings, such as RVs, campers and trailers.
- Testing
- No license. An industrial hygienist is recommended.
- Cleanup
- "State of Michigan does not license, permit or recommend cleanup contractors."
More info: Michigan cleanup guidance (PDF)
Minnesota
County-run, no state licenseCleanup limit
- See local rules: MDH does not keep its own cleanup guidance and points to the EPA voluntary guidelinesMinnesota Department of Health
- What starts it
- A county or local health department, or the sheriff, orders the property unusable after a drug-making site is found.
- Drugs covered
- Meth.
- Vehicles
- Yes, the statute includes motor vehicles.
- Testing
- No state certification.
- Cleanup
- No state license. The contractor must verify the work. Counties such as Olmsted and Hennepin have their own ordinances.
More info: Minnesota Department of Health · Minn. Stat. 152.0275
Mississippi
No state program foundNo state drug-residue cleanup program found. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
Missouri
No state program foundMissouri's Department of Natural Resources can assist with drug-site cleanup, but we found no private testing or cleanup license. General OSHA, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Montana
Covers meth and fentanyl useCleanup limit
- Meth: 1.5 µg/100 cm²MCA 75-10-1303(1)
- Fentanyl: see rule (DEQ added a standard effective August 8, 2026)ARM 17.74.505, as amended
- What starts it
- Police-reported properties go on the DEQ list. Owners who know of meth or fentanyl use residue can also opt in as a "volunteer property".
- Drugs covered
- Meth and fentanyl, including residue from use (2025 law, rules effective August 8, 2026).
- Vehicles
- Not covered (buildings, storage units and mobile homes only).
- Testing
- Only work by a DEQ-certified contractor counts for a Certificate of Fitness, disclosure or liability protection. Claiming to be certified when you are not is fined.
- Cleanup
- DEQ-certified contractor for listed and volunteer properties. Owners who know of use residue must disclose it to buyers and tenants unless a certified contractor cleaned it.
More info: Montana DEQ Meth Cleanup Program · MCA 75-10-1303
Nebraska
Consultant clears the siteCleanup limit
- Meth: 0.1 µg/100 cm²178 NAC 24 (2009 version)
- What starts it
- Property contaminated by a clandestine drug-making operation, reported by law enforcement.
- Drugs covered
- Meth.
- Vehicles
- Not confirmed.
- Testing
- A Decontamination Consultant (a CHMM, or someone whose plan a CHMM approves) must take the final clearance samples.
- Cleanup
- The owner or the consultant can clean. The local health department releases the property.
More info: Rule: 178 NAC 24 (PDF) · Nebraska DHHS environmental health
Nevada
Law on the books, no standards adoptedCleanup limit
- No state number adoptedNRS 439.4797
- What starts it
- State law (NRS 439.4797) calls for cleanup standards, but we found none adopted.
- Drugs covered
- Any controlled substance manufacture.
- Vehicles
- Not addressed.
- Testing
- Unclear. NDEP requires a Certified Environmental Manager for paid sampling of hazardous substance releases; ask NDEP whether that reaches indoor drug residue.
- Cleanup
- Same open question. Southern Nevada Health District has its own rules for hotels.
More info: NDEP Certified Environmental Manager
New Hampshire
No state program foundState law covers penalties, restitution or disclosure for drug-making sites, but we found no state cleanup program or testing license. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
New Jersey
No state program foundNo state drug-residue cleanup program found. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
New Mexico
Firm under an industrial hygienistCleanup limit
- Any unlawfully made drug or its precursors: under 1.0 µg/ft² (surface wipe)20.4.5.17 NMAC
New Mexico measures per square foot, not per 100 cm².
- What starts it
- Law enforcement discovers a clandestine drug-making site.
- Drugs covered
- Any unlawfully manufactured controlled substance.
- Vehicles
- Yes, vehicles, plus mobile homes and RVs in parks.
- Testing
- The assessment and cleanup firm must work under a CIH or be registered with a state, county or city agency.
- Cleanup
- Same firm requirement. NMED does not issue its own license.
More info: NMED cleanup guidance · Rule: 20.4.5 NMAC
New York
No state program foundNo state drug-residue cleanup program found. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: New York State DEC
North Carolina
Local health department reviewCleanup limit
- Meth: 0.1 µg/100 cm² (recommended clearance level)North Carolina decontamination and re-occupancy guidelines (2005)
- What starts it
- Properties posted after a meth-making site is found. The responsible party documents the cleanup for the local health department.
- Drugs covered
- Meth.
- Vehicles
- Not confirmed.
- Testing
- No license prescribed.
- Cleanup
- No license. Records go to the local health department.
More info: NC DHHS meth page · G.S. 130A-284
North Dakota
No state program foundNo state drug-residue cleanup program found. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
Ohio
No state program foundState law covers penalties, restitution or disclosure for drug-making sites, but we found no state cleanup program or testing license. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: Ohio EPA
Oklahoma
No state program foundNo state drug-residue cleanup program found. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality
Oregon
Licensed contractor after "unfit for use"Cleanup limit
- See rule: OAR 333-040 and OHA sampling guidelinesOAR 333-040
- What starts it
- OHA, the State Fire Marshal or police find a property unfit for use because drugs were made there.
- Drugs covered
- Manufacture of any Schedule I or II drug, so fentanyl manufacturing is included. Use alone is not.
- Vehicles
- Yes, boats, trailers, motor vehicles and manufactured homes.
- Testing
- Sampling is done by an independent third party supervised by the licensed contractor.
- Cleanup
- OHA-licensed decontamination contractor (also registered with the CCB). Advertising this work on unfit-for-use property without the license is barred.
More info: OHA cleanup procedures · OHA FAQs
Pennsylvania
No state program foundState law covers penalties, restitution or disclosure for drug-making sites, but we found no state cleanup program or testing license. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: Pennsylvania DEP
Rhode Island
No state program foundNo state drug-residue cleanup program found. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: Rhode Island DEM
South Carolina
No state program foundState law covers penalties, restitution or disclosure for drug-making sites, but we found no state cleanup program or testing license. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
South Dakota
Disclosure onlyCleanup limit
- No state numberSDCL 43-32-30 (disclosure)
- What starts it
- Sellers must disclose known meth manufacture. There is no state cleanup program.
- Drugs covered
- Meth manufacture (disclosure).
- Vehicles
- Not addressed.
- Testing
- No license.
- Cleanup
- No license. DANR keeps a list of companies but does not endorse them.
More info: South Dakota DANR
Tennessee
Quarantine by law enforcementCleanup limit
- Meth: 0.1 µg/100 cm²TDEC Rule 0400-15-02-.01(1)
- What starts it
- Law enforcement quarantines and posts a property where meth was made.
- Drugs covered
- Meth only.
- Vehicles
- TDEC notes quarantined vehicles as well as properties.
- Testing
- Samples collected and interpreted by a professional TDEC certifies (a CIH qualifies).
- Cleanup
- A professional or company TDEC certifies.
More info: TDEC meth-contaminated properties
Texas
No state program foundNo state drug-residue cleanup program found. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Utah
Meth use can countCleanup limit
- Meth: 1.0 µg/100 cm²Utah Admin. Code R392-600-6
- What starts it
- Local health departments list properties after a police report or a complaint. "Contaminated" includes meth use above the standard.
- Drugs covered
- Meth, including use, plus any illegally manufactured controlled substance.
- Vehicles
- Yes, the law includes boats, motor vehicles and trailers.
- Testing
- No license for routine testing. Only a DEQ Certified Decontamination Specialist can do the final sampling that shows a listed property meets the standard.
- Cleanup
- No license required. The owner or a specialist can do the work.
More info: Utah DEQ meth program · Utah Code 19-6-902
Vermont
No state program foundNo state drug-residue cleanup program found. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
Virginia
Contractor license specialtyCleanup limit
- Meth: 1.5 µg/100 cm²VDH Guidelines for Meth Cleanup (rev. September 29, 2025)
- What starts it
- Former meth or other drug-making sites. VDH sets the cleanup guidelines.
- Drugs covered
- Meth "or other drugs" for the license specialty; the VDH number is for meth.
- Vehicles
- Not covered.
- Testing
- No state credential. The owner or the cleanup contractor can sample.
- Cleanup
- A DPOR contractor license with the drug-site remediation (DLR) specialty for former drug-making sites. Ordinary contractor licensing can apply to other paid remediation over $1,000.
More info: VDH guidelines (PDF) · 18VAC50-22-30 (license specialty)
Washington
Certification for meth samplingCleanup limit
- Meth: 1.5 µg/100 cm²WAC 246-205-541(1)
- What starts it
- The local health officer declares a property contaminated, usually after a police report. Meth use in hotels and motels is also covered.
- Drugs covered
- Manufacture or storage of any controlled substance. DOH says fentanyl use alone is not covered.
- Vehicles
- Yes, boats, motor vehicles, trailers and manufactured homes.
- Testing
- DOH says collecting samples for meth requires a DOH-certified supervisor working for a certified contractor. Owners can sample property that hasn't been declared contaminated.
- Cleanup
- DOH-certified contractor for declared properties and drug-making or storage sites. DIY cleaning of a car is allowed; DOH recommends a certified contractor when levels are high or unknown.
More info: WA DOH drug residue · WA DOH certification FAQ
West Virginia
Licensed technicians and contractorsCleanup limit
- Meth: 1.0 µg/100 cm²64 CSR 92-6 and 92-7
The current rule is set to sunset August 1, 2027.
- What starts it
- Law enforcement notifies the owner and the state. The rule's definition of remediation also mentions property used for drug consumption, so ask OEHS before treating a use-only home as unregulated.
- Drugs covered
- Any controlled substance. The numeric standard is for meth.
- Vehicles
- RVs count as residential property, and licensed technicians test vehicles suspected of drug-making contamination.
- Testing
- OEHS-licensed remediation technician.
- Cleanup
- OEHS-licensed remediation contractor, after a notice to proceed.
More info: WV OEHS program page
Wisconsin
No state program foundNo state drug-residue cleanup program found. General OSHA HAZWOPER, waste and contractor rules apply.
More info: Wisconsin DNR
Wyoming
Training required, no state license foundCleanup limit
- Meth: 0.75 µg/100 cm²Wyo. Code R. 041-2 §2-13 (other target compounds 0.1 µg/100 cm² or the method detection limit)
- What starts it
- Law enforcement gives the owner written notice. The owner has 90 days to clean the property to the state standards.
- Drugs covered
- Meth plus other drugs; the rule lists levels for MDMA, LSD and other target compounds.
- Vehicles
- Not confirmed.
- Testing
- No state license found. The rule bars field test kits for clearance sampling.
- Cleanup
- No license, but workers need HAZWOPER plus specific training on drug-making site hazards.
More info: Wyo. Code R. 041-2 §2-13
How we work across states
State rules come first
Drug-residue testing and cleanup rules differ from state to state. Where a state requires a license or certification for this work, we use providers who hold that state's credential, so your results and clearance hold up with the people who need to rely on them.
How our testing works
Trained local subcontractors collect wipe samples from the property or vehicle and ship them to us. We screen them on our MX908 and send you a written report. If a state requires a credentialed tester for the result to count, we let you know before any work starts.
Why the cheapest cleanup often costs more
A low bid can look like savings. With drug-contaminated property, the real cost tends to show up after the crew leaves.
Tearing out what could be cleaned
Crews without drug-residue experience often fall back on demolition, removing drywall, flooring and cabinets that could have been cleaned and passed. That adds disposal, rebuilding and time the property never needed.
Driving residue deeper
The wrong cleaning methods can push drug residue into porous surfaces like drywall, concrete slabs and wood framing. Once it's in there, the cost of cleanup goes through the roof.
Failing clearance, again
When the cleaning isn't done right the first time, the property fails its post-cleaning test. Each failed round means another visit, more samples and more lab fees before anyone can sign off.
Weeks the property sits empty
Every failed round pushes back the day a tenant, buyer or owner can move in. For a rental, that's lost rent on top of the cleanup bill.
Paying twice for the same job
A failed result means re-cleaning, and sometimes hiring a second company to finish what the first one started.
We've seen it many times
Owners, landlords and insurers often come to us after a cleanup has already gone wrong. A clear scope, an experienced crew and testing after the work is done usually cost less than fixing a cleanup that missed the first time.
Where we can help
- Testing to find out what's there and where.
- Cleanup by experienced crews, using state-licensed or certified providers where the state requires it.
- Post-cleaning lab verification, even when another contractor did the cleaning.
- Consulting and red tag help, including working with the health department or other agencies. Cleanup consulting
Who pays for the cleanup?
In most cases the property owner does, and outside help is hard to find.
The owner, usually
State drug-site laws put the cleanup on the property owner, even when a tenant or someone else caused the contamination. In California, an owner who receives a cleanup order has 30 days to show they've hired an authorized contractor. Idaho requires the owner to meet the state's cleanup standards before the property can be used again. Kentucky's guidance says the owner is responsible for all assessment and decontamination costs.
Sources: Cal. H&SC §25400.25 · Idaho Code §6-2606 · Kentucky cleanup guidance
Insurance: read the policy
Coverage varies a lot. Many homeowner and landlord policies exclude contamination or pollution, and courts in Nebraska and Oregon have upheld those exclusions for meth residue left by tenants. In the Oregon case, a claim filed as vandalism was turned down because there was no sign the tenant meant to damage the home. Other policies are worded differently. Kentucky's agency sums it up: some policies pay part of the cost, but most do not. Talk to your agent or adjuster before work starts.
Sources: Nebraska Supreme Court, 2020 · Oregon Court of Appeals, 2024 · Kentucky property owner FAQ
When a tenant caused it
Depending on your state's law and the lease, a landlord may be able to recover some costs from the tenant, through the security deposit or a civil or small claims case. Winning a judgment and collecting it are two different things, so it's worth talking to a local attorney about your options.
Vehicles
Comprehensive auto coverage generally covers theft and vandalism. Whether it pays for drug-residue testing or cleaning on a recovered stolen vehicle depends on the insurer and the policy, so start with your claims adjuster.
Source: Insurance Information Institute
Financial help is rare
Arkansas says plainly that there are no public funds for cleaning up private meth-contaminated property. Kentucky's guidance describes a Kentucky Housing Corporation fund for eligible lower- and moderate-income owners; ask KHC whether it is still taking applications. Minnesota has a revolving loan account, but it lends to counties and cities, and the owner still repays the cost. Crime victim compensation generally doesn't cover property damage; where it pays for crime-scene cleanup, it's limited and tied to a crime that injured someone. If you're not sure what's available, ask the agency for your state in the list above.
Sources: Arkansas Energy and Environment · Kentucky cleanup guidance · Minn. Stat. 446A.083 · Oregon DOJ · California Victim Compensation Board
Good records make claims easier
Adjusters, lenders and health departments all want to see what was found, where, and what was done about it. A clear scope, documented test results and a written report make a claim much easier to support. We can provide that documentation for your adjuster.
General information only, not legal or insurance advice.
Not sure what applies to your property?
Tell us where it is and what happened. We'll tell you what your state requires and what testing makes sense.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, and counties and cities can add their own. Before you rely on any entry, confirm it with the agency linked. Rules reviewed October 26, 2026; links and cleanup limits checked November 10, 2026.