C-21 Building Moving/Demolition Contractor license in California

Updated November 1, 2026 · Official name from CSLB's classification list

• 1,889licenses hold C-21
• 95.6%Clear (CA addresses)
• 28.5%workers' comp exempt (all: 49.6%)
• 100%contractor's bond on file
• 15.6 yrsmedian time licensed
• 76.1%businesses, not sole owners

A C-21 contractor raises, lowers, cribs, underpins, moves or tears down structures, foundations included. It is the license for demolishing a garage, moving a house to a new lot or lifting a building to work underneath it.

The class stops where rebuilding begins. CSLB's description excludes alterations, additions or repairs to the parts of a structure that stay. So a C-21 can knock down half a house, but the remodel of the half that remains needs a builder.

Typical work under C-21

• Whole-house and garage demolition
• Partial demolition before a remodel
• Moving a house or other building
• Raising or lowering a structure
• Cribbing and underpinning during a move
• Foundation removal

Work that needs a different license

• Remodeling the part of the house that stays: B General Building
• Removing asbestos before demolition: C-22 Asbestos Abatement
• Grading the cleared lot: C-12 Earthwork and Paving

Tips before hiring

• Ask who arranges utility shutoffs before demolition starts.
• Ask whether an asbestos survey has been done and who will remove any material found.
• Get debris hauling and recycling terms in the contract.
• A C-21 can carry the HAZ certification. Ask about it only if the site is a listed hazardous-waste site.

Where C-21 contractors are

The cities with the most C-21 license holders in CSLB's current file:

1. Demolition and Building Moving Contractors in Los Angeles: 66
2. Demolition and Building Moving Contractors in Bakersfield: 38
3. Demolition and Building Moving Contractors in Anaheim: 35
4. Demolition and Building Moving Contractors in San Diego: 34
5. Demolition and Building Moving Contractors in Fresno: 32
6. Demolition and Building Moving Contractors in Riverside: 32
7. Demolition and Building Moving Contractors in San Jose: 32
8. Demolition and Building Moving Contractors in Oakland: 26
9. Demolition and Building Moving Contractors in Corona: 21
10. Orange: 19

All demolition and building moving contractors lists

Cities with at least 20 C-21 license holders, largest first:

• Los Angeles (66)
• Bakersfield (38)
• Anaheim (35)
• San Diego (34)
• Fresno (32)
• Riverside (32)
• San Jose (32)
• Oakland (26)
• Corona (21)

How to verify a C-21 license

1. Search the business or license number here and confirm C-21 is listed on the profile.
2. Check the same number on CSLB's Instant License Check.
3. Read our full guide to checking a contractor license.

Related license types

• C-22 Asbestos Abatement Contractor
• C-12 Earthwork and Paving Contractors
• B General Building Contractor
• HAZ Hazardous Substance Removal Certification

Source: CSLB public data · Updated November 1, 2026 Status can change at any time. Verify on CSLB's Instant License Check.

More license types: ← C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor · C-22 Asbestos Abatement Contractor →