Lead-safe certificate rules in Plainfield City
Rentals in Plainfield City built before 1978 need a lead-safe certificate from a lead inspection, unless an exemption applies.
Plainfield City uses dust-wipe sampling: the inspector wipes floors and window sills and sends the wipes to a lab. State health data put Plainfield City among the towns where at least 3% of young children tested had elevated blood lead levels.
- Inspection method
- Dust-wipe sampling
- Certificate lasts
- 3 years
- Next inspection
- When it runs out
- Fee
- $25 per unit to file the certificate, plus the $20 state fee; City inspections charged at cost
Check whether a specific property is covered or work out its next due date.
Getting the certificate in Plainfield City
- Confirm the building was built before 1978 and no exemption applies.
- Use the City’s inspector (provided through a shared service with Elizabeth) or hire a certified inspector. Give the Department of Health and Social Services proof of a valid lead-safe certificate; a private inspector sends the City a copy too.
- 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 Plainfield City, and book the next inspection before the certificate's three years run out.
Town office: Department of Health and Social Services.
Certified inspectors near Plainfield City
From NJ DCA's list of certified lead evaluation contractors (revised October 28, 2026). Firms travel, so ask whether they cover Plainfield City.
Based in Union County
- A. Paul Contracting CORP.973-705-9555Hillside, NJ (Union County)
- Abated, LLC908-372-8375Elizabeth, NJ (Union County)
- Brink'S Tank & ENV. Services844-462-7465Hillside, NJ (Union County)
- Cut Above Insp. & Testing, LLC908-845-3353Elizabeth, NJ (Union County)
- Hillmann Consulting, LLC908-688-7800Union, NJ (Union County)
- Iris Environmetal Laboratories908-206-0073Union, NJ (Union County)
- Malco Environmental, LLC732-513-3487Cranford, NJ (Union County)
- Optimum Environmental Solution908-418-2737Union, NJ (Union County)
- Pledge Environmental, LLC609-208-5535Elizabeth, NJ (Union County)
- Roots Inspection Services, LLC908-917-9928Scotch Plains, NJ (Union County)
- Safeway Home Inspections, LLC908-447-9445New Providence, NJ (Union County)
- Top Nach Home Services, LLC908-370-9282New Providence, NJ (Union County)
Based in neighbouring counties
- A Liu Company732-301-4599Montclair, NJ (Essex County)
- A-Arcalenz, LLC862-224-2356West Orange, NJ (Essex County)
- Aaa Green Environmental848-702-0973Edison, NJ (Middlesex County)
- Aaa Lead, Asbestos & Mold732-882-5741North Brunswick, NJ (Middlesex County)
- Abc Environmental Services,LLC908-616-5016Watchung, NJ (Somerset County)
- Absolute Inspections, LLC201-323-2632East Brunswick, NJ (Middlesex County)
Questions landlords ask
Do rentals in Plainfield 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 Plainfield City.
What kind of lead inspection does Plainfield City use?
Plainfield City uses dust-wipe sampling: the inspector wipes floors and window sills and sends the wipes to a lab. State health data put Plainfield City among the towns where at least 3% of young children tested had elevated blood lead levels.
When is the lead inspection due in Plainfield 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 Plainfield City?
Plainfield City: $25 per unit to file the certificate, plus the $20 state fee; City inspections charged at cost. A private certified firm sets its own price for the inspection itself.
Can I hire my own lead inspector in Plainfield 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). Plainfield City: dust wipe. 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
- Plainfield Ordinance MC 2024-23. “shall be $25.00 per dwelling unit” Checked November 13, 2026
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