Akron, OH Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)
Key Facts
- Lead coating
- banned on exposed dwelling surfaces
- Removal permit fee
- $5 (Director of Health)
- Advance notice
- 5 days before sanding/sandblasting
- Soil-lead threshold
- 2,000 ppm yard / 400 ppm play area
- Dust-lead threshold
- 40 µg/ft2 on floors
- Enforced by
- Director of Health
- Citation
- Akron City Code §§ 94.80-94.87
Summary
Akron's Lead Poisoning Hazards article flatly bans applying lead-based coatings on any exposed dwelling surface, fixture, toy, or eating utensil, and bars letting lead-bearing substances, dust-lead hazards, or soil-lead hazards exist on any dwelling, outbuilding, or child care facility. Anyone hired to remove old lead paint under § 94.85 must first get a five-dollar permit from the Director of Health.
A.No occupant or owner shall use or apply any lead-based coating:1.In or on any exposed surface of any dwelling, dwelling unit, outbuilding, or child care facility.2.In or on any fixtures or other objects used, installed, or located in or on any exposed surface of any dwelling or dwelling unit.3.In or on toys, cooking, drinking, or eating utensils, or furniture.B.No occupant or owner shall use, or permit the use of any lead-bearing substance in or on any dwelling or dwelling unit or allow leadbearing substance to remain in or on any dwelling unit.C.No occupant or owner shall deposit, cause to be deposited, maintain, or otherwise create a dust-lead hazard or soil-lead hazard at a premises of any dwelling, dwelling unit, outbuilding or child care facility.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64).
Full Breakdown
87) of Akron's general code targets lead exposure in housing. 80. 85 requires complete removal of lead-based coating from any chewable or peeling surface, or covering it with an approved durable material; simply repainting over old lead paint without removing it does not satisfy the section. 86, pay a nonrefundable five-dollar application fee, give the Department of Health at least five days notice before power sanding, sandblasting, or power washing, and follow the City's Fugitive Dust Law to keep lead dust out of the air and soil.
The Department can require surface testing, impose safety precautions on workers and neighbors, conduct its own soil or environmental sampling, and issue an immediate cease-work order for noncompliance. 83.
Violations & Fines
The Director of Health enforces this article with written notice and order under § 94.87, listing each violated section and a compliance deadline geared to how urgent the child's health risk is. Beyond the criminal penalty referenced in § 94.81, the Director can impose an administrative penalty weighing the violator's benefit from the violation, the harm caused, any history of prior violations, good-faith remediation efforts, and how long the violation continued after notice; the decision must state the amount and payment deadline in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I paint over old lead paint instead of removing it?
Do I need a permit to remove lead paint in Akron?
What is a 'dust-lead hazard' under Akron's code?
Who has to report a lead-poisoned child in Akron?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Akron
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