Alameda County, CA Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)
Key Facts
- State authority
- H&S Code 17920.10
- Pre-1978 housing
- Presumed to contain lead paint
- Contractor requirement
- EPA RRP certification
- Disclosure
- Required before sale or lease
- Child screening
- Required under age 6
Summary
Alameda County enforces California H&S Code 17920.10 treating deteriorated lead paint in pre-1978 housing as substandard. Oakland, Berkeley, and Alameda have old housing stocks with strict abatement rules.
(a) Any building or portion thereof including any dwelling unit, guestroom, or suite of rooms, or portion thereof, or the premises on which it is located, is deemed to be in violation of this part as to any portion that contains lead hazards. For purposes of this part, "lead hazards" means deteriorated lead-based paint, lead-contaminated dust, lead-contaminated soil, or disturbing lead-based paint without containment, if one or more of these hazards are present in one or more locations in amounts that are equal to or exceed the amounts of lead established for these terms in Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 35001) of Division 1 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations.
Full Breakdown
Lead paint is a major public health issue in Alameda County given that most housing in Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, and older Hayward neighborhoods predates the 1978 federal lead paint ban. California Health and Safety Code 17920.10 declares deteriorated lead-based paint a substandard housing condition subject to code enforcement. Property owners must disclose known lead hazards under federal 24 CFR Part 35 and California law before sale or lease. Renovation, repair, and painting on pre-1978 housing must be performed by EPA RRP-certified contractors using lead-safe work practices. The Alameda County Healthy Homes Department provides free lead inspections for eligible families and runs lead abatement grants. Children under 6 receive mandatory blood lead screening per California law. Landlords who fail to address lead hazards face habitability claims and rent withholding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my Oakland Victorian required to be lead-free?
Can I DIY renovate my pre-1978 home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alameda County
California rules heatmap·Compare Alameda County to another location·View the California building safety overview
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