Lead-safe certificate rules in Newark City
Rentals in Newark City built before 1978 need a lead-safe certificate from a lead inspection, unless an exemption applies.
Newark City uses a visual assessment: the inspector checks painted surfaces for peeling, chipping or flaking paint and visible dust or debris.
- Inspection method
- Visual assessment
- Certificate lasts
- 3 years
- Next inspection
- When it runs out
- Fee
- $25 per unit to file the certificate with the City, plus the $20 state fee per unit; City inspections charged at cost under its inspector contract
Check whether a specific property is covered or work out its next due date.
Getting the certificate in Newark City
- Confirm the building was built before 1978 and no exemption applies.
- Hire a certified lead evaluation firm, or use the City's Municipal Lead Inspector. File the lead-safe certificate with Newark's Department of Health and Human Services. Missing a scheduled City inspection can cost up to $300 per unit, and fees aren't refunded without 48 hours' written notice.
- If the inspector finds lead hazards, have them fixed (interim controls or abatement) and re-inspected.
- Keep the lead-safe certificate, report each tenant turnover to Newark City, and book the next inspection before the certificate's three years run out.
Newark's code (adopted May 21, 2025) still says a certificate lasts two years. State law (P.L.2024, c.74) now says three.
Town office: Department of Health and Human Services.
Certified inspectors near Newark City
From NJ DCA's list of certified lead evaluation contractors (revised October 28, 2026). Firms travel, so ask whether they cover Newark City.
Based in Essex County
- A Liu Company732-301-4599Montclair, NJ (Essex County)
- A-Arcalenz, LLC862-224-2356West Orange, NJ (Essex County)
- Absolute Jm Services LLC862-250-1925Orange, NJ (Essex County)
- Aspis Environmental, LLC609-433-6258Newark, NJ (Essex County)
- Eco-Vet Environmental, LLC862-276-9836East Orange, NJ (Essex County)
- Entech Engineering Of NJ732-796-4792Newark, NJ (Essex County)
- Greenmax Environmental201-800-3211Montclair, NJ (Essex County)
- GZA Geoenvironmental, INC.973-774-3300Fairfield, NJ (Essex County)
- Jayhomes LLC973-477-9199East Orange, NJ (Essex County)
- Jp2018, LLC973-619-5873Orange, NJ (Essex County)
- NJ Lead & Compliance Services, LLC610-312-4900Bloomfield, NJ (Essex County)
- Smart Choice Inspections, LLC973-500-3233Cedar Grove, NJ (Essex County)
- Tectonic Eng.& Surveying,INC.973-467-5850Millburn, NJ (Essex County)
- Y & N Construction, LLC.862-236-8691Newark, NJ (Essex County)
Based in neighbouring counties
- A. Paul Contracting CORP.973-705-9555Hillside, NJ (Union County)
- A1 Environmental Inspections973-960-1192Little Falls, NJ (Passaic County)
- Abated, LLC908-372-8375Elizabeth, NJ (Union County)
- Aim Environmental LLC201-528-5047Fort Lee, NJ (Bergen County)
- All Lead NJ, LLC201-954-0292Jersey City, NJ (Hudson County)
- Apex Environmental Consulting, LLC551-204-5364Paramus, NJ (Bergen County)
Questions landlords ask
Do rentals in Newark City, NJ need a lead-safe certificate?
Yes, if the rental was built before 1978 and no exemption applies. New Jersey's lead-safe law (P.L.2021, c.182) covers single-family, two-family and multi-unit rentals in every municipality, including Newark City.
What kind of lead inspection does Newark City use?
Newark City uses a visual assessment: the inspector checks painted surfaces for peeling, chipping or flaking paint and visible dust or debris.
When is the lead inspection due in Newark City?
The first inspection was due by July 22, 2024, or at an earlier tenant turnover. A lead-safe certificate is valid for three years (P.L.2024, c.74 raised it from two), and the next inspection is due when it runs out. A tenant turnover while the certificate is valid needs no new inspection.
How much does a lead-safe inspection cost in Newark City?
Newark City: $25 per unit to file the certificate with the City, plus the $20 state fee per unit; City inspections charged at cost under its inspector contract. A private certified firm sets its own price for the inspection itself.
Can I hire my own lead inspector in Newark City?
Yes. New Jersey requires every town to let owners hire a certified lead evaluation contractor directly. NJ DCA lists 187 certified firms.
Sources
- NJ DCA: 2025-26 Lead-Based Paint Inspection Methodology (municipal listing). Newark City: visual. Checked November 13, 2026
- P.L.2024, c.74 (approved September 12, 2024): certificates valid three years
- NJ DCA: Lead-Based Paint in Rental Dwellings Guidelines. Written before the 2024 amendment; its two-year certificate rule is out of date
- NJ DCA: Lead-Based Paint Inspections in Rental Dwelling Units
- NJ DCA: List of Certified Lead Evaluation Contractors
- Newark Code, Chapter 16:3, Article 7 (Rental Dwelling Lead Safe Certification). “An administrative fee for the filing of a lead-safe certification or lead-free certification with the City of Newark shall be $25 per dwelling unit” Checked November 13, 2026
- Newark Code, Chapter 16:3, Article 7. “Failure to provide access to a Municipal Lead Inspector at the time of a scheduled lead-based paint inspection may result in a fine up to $300 per dwelling unit” Checked November 13, 2026
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