Lead-safe certificate rules in Somerville Borough
Rentals in Somerville Borough built before 1978 need a lead-safe certificate from a lead inspection, unless an exemption applies.
Somerville Borough 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
- $50 administration fee plus the $20 state fee (separate checks)
Check whether a specific property is covered or work out its next due date.
Getting the certificate in Somerville Borough
- Confirm the building was built before 1978 and no exemption applies.
- Schedule a visual inspection with a certified lead paint firm yourself. Once it passes, bring a copy of the lead-safe certificate and both fees to the Land Use Director.
- 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 Somerville Borough, and book the next inspection before the certificate's three years run out.
Town office: Land Use Director.
Certified inspectors near Somerville Borough
From NJ DCA's list of certified lead evaluation contractors (revised October 28, 2026). Firms travel, so ask whether they cover Somerville Borough.
Based in Somerset County
- Abc Environmental Services,LLC908-616-5016Watchung, NJ (Somerset County)
- Ade Environmental Services,LLC908-548-7180North Plainfield, NJ (Somerset County)
- Amg Environmental SVCS.917-939-0019Branchburg, NJ (Somerset County)
- Comprehensive ENV. Services732-841-6161Somerville, NJ (Somerset County)
- Cornerstone Home Inspection973-650-4151Warren, NJ (Somerset County)
- Lead Consultants Of America732-418-9006Somerset, NJ (Somerset County)
- Mvb Homes, LLC732-662-0798Somerset, NJ (Somerset County)
- Sc Services, LLC908-552-0203Basking Ridge, NJ (Somerset County)
- Whitman732-390-5858Somerset, NJ (Somerset County)
Based in neighbouring counties
- A. Paul Contracting CORP.973-705-9555Hillside, NJ (Union County)
- Aaa Green Environmental848-702-0973Edison, NJ (Middlesex County)
- Aaa Lead, Asbestos & Mold732-882-5741North Brunswick, NJ (Middlesex County)
- Abated, LLC908-372-8375Elizabeth, NJ (Union County)
- Absolute Inspections, LLC201-323-2632East Brunswick, NJ (Middlesex County)
- Advanced Lead Specialty Inspections732-371-7381Trenton, NJ (Mercer County)
Questions landlords ask
Do rentals in Somerville Borough, 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 Somerville Borough.
What kind of lead inspection does Somerville Borough use?
Somerville Borough 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 Somerville Borough?
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 Somerville Borough?
Somerville Borough: $50 administration fee plus the $20 state fee (separate checks). A private certified firm sets its own price for the inspection itself.
Can I hire my own lead inspector in Somerville Borough?
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). Somerville Borough: 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
- Somerville: Schedule a lead paint inspection for a rental property. “Property owner (or applicant) is responsible for scheduling an inspection.” Checked November 13, 2026
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