LeadSafe Lookup

New Jersey's lead-safe certificate law

Since July 22, 2022, New Jersey requires lead inspections of rental housing built before 1978 (P.L.2021, c.182, as amended by P.L.2024, c.74, and the rules at N.J.A.C. 5:28A). Every town runs the program; the state sets the rules.

The rule

Which rentals
Single-family, two-family and multi-unit rentals in New Jersey built before 1978.
Exemptions
Built in 1978 or later; certified lead-free; a single- or two-family seasonal rental let for under six months a year without back-to-back renewals; a multi-unit building registered with DCA for ten years or more with no open lead violations; a unit with a valid lead-safe certificate. Check a property.
When
The first inspection was due by July 22, 2024, or at an earlier tenant turnover. A lead-safe certificate is valid for three years (raised from two by a 2024 amendment), and the next inspection is due when it runs out. Tenant move-outs while it is valid need no new inspection. Work out a date.
Who inspects
The town's inspector, or a certified lead evaluation firm you hire yourself. Towns must let owners hire their own certified firm, and an owner who hires one can choose dust-wipe sampling even where the town uses a visual assessment.
Cost
Each town sets its own inspection fee, and the state adds $20 per unit.
Penalty
Up to $1,000 a week if a violation isn't fixed within 30 days of notice.
Afterwards
Fix any lead hazards found, report tenant turnovers to the town, and pass the certificate and rules on to a buyer if you sell. If one unit in a two- or three-unit building has a hazard, the other units must be inspected too, unless they already have a lead-safe certificate.

Towns where we've read the local rules

For these towns, the page adds the town's own fee and booking steps, quoted from its ordinance or website.

Towns that use dust-wipe sampling

Most towns use a visual assessment. These 51 use dust-wipe sampling, because at least 3% of young children tested there had elevated blood lead levels.

All 564 towns by county

Sources