LeadSafeRulesPre-1978 rental lead rules by state
Federal law requires every landlord of pre-1978 housing to give the lead disclosure form and EPA pamphlet (EPA). These states and cities go further:
| State | Places we cover | Typical rule |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 1 | Washington: Clearance report <=12 months when child <6 or pregnant person present |
| Delaware | 1 | Delaware (statewide): Pre-1978 rental units must be certified lead free or lead safe by a lead inspector before a new tenant (small owners), once the law is imple |
| Illinois | 1 | Illinois (statewide): No routine rental lead certificate. Owners of pre-1978 units must give tenants the lead brochure, and must disclose prior hazards if a mitig |
| Massachusetts | 1 | Massachusetts (statewide): Lead Law: abate/contain when child <6 lives there; Letter of Compliance |
| Maryland | 12 | Maryland (statewide): Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing: registration + risk-reduction certificate, pre-1978 rentals |
| Michigan | 2 | Detroit: Rental registration/C of C requires lead clearance (2024 rental ordinance) |
| New Jersey | 35 | New Jersey (statewide, all municipalities): P.L.2021 c.182: rental lead inspection |
| New York | 26 | Rochester: C of O lead inspection incl. dust wipes in high-risk area (pre-1980) |
| Ohio | 3 | Ohio (statewide registry): Voluntary statewide lead-safe rental registry for most owners; registration lasts 1 year with visual assessment, maintenance and clearance t |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | Philadelphia: Lead-safe/lead-free cert for new/renewed lease and rental license (Ch. 6-800) |
| Rhode Island | 2 | Rhode Island (statewide): Certificate of Lead Conformance, pre-1978 rentals |
| Vermont | 2 | Vermont (statewide): Annual Inspection, Repair & Cleaning (IRC) practices + compliance statement |
| Wisconsin | 1 | Milwaukee: No lead-safe certificate required before renting (2020 resolution only sought state authority). City enforces lead hazard orders and bans re |
Not legal advice. LeadSafeRules summarizes official city and state sources for information only. Rules, fees and deadlines change, so confirm with the official source or your local housing or health department before relying on this. Every rule page links its source and shows the date we last checked it.