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Sacramento County, CA Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified April 2026

Key Facts

Pre-1978
Disclosure required
State Code
HSC 17920.10
Federal Rule
EPA RRP 40 CFR 745
RRP Trigger
6 sf interior / 20 sf ext
Certified Firm
Required for paid work

Summary

Sacramento County enforces CA HSC 17920.10 (lead hazard as substandard housing) and federal EPA RRP Rule for renovations in pre-1978 homes.

City-specific rules exist: Sacramento, Citrus Heights, and Isleton have their own lead paint rules that differ from Sacramento County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

(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 or by this section and that are likely to endanger the health of the public or the occupants thereof as a result of their proximity to the public or the occupants thereof.

(c) In the absence of new regulations adopted by the State Department of Health Services in accordance with the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act defining the term "disturbing lead-based paint without containment" or modifying the term "deteriorated lead-based paint," for purposes of this part "disturbing lead-based paint without containment" and "deteriorated lead-based paint" shall be considered lead hazards as described in subdivision (a) only if the aggregate affected area is equal to or in excess of one of the following:

(1) Two square feet in any one interior room or space.

(2) Twenty square feet on exterior surfaces.

(3) Ten percent of the surface area on the interior or exterior type of component with a small surface area. Examples include window sills, baseboards, and trim.

Full Breakdown

California Health and Safety Code 17920.10 classifies lead-based paint hazards as conditions that make housing substandard, enforceable by county code enforcement. All residential rental property built before 1978 falls under the federal Lead Disclosure Rule (24 CFR 35) requiring lead paint disclosures to tenants and buyers. The EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule (40 CFR 745) requires certified firms and certified renovators for any paid work disturbing over 6 square feet of lead paint interior or 20 square feet exterior in pre-1978 homes. Sacramento County Environmental Management Department handles child lead-exposure investigations alongside the California Department of Public Health.

Violations & Fines

EPA RRP violations: up to 37500 dollars per violation per day. Failure to disclose: treble damages under federal law. State substandard housing: county abatement orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renovate my pre-1978 home myself?
Owner-occupants can work on their own home without RRP certification, but rental property owners must use certified firms.
What if my child tests positive for lead?
Contact Sacramento County Environmental Management and CDPH Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch for home inspection.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Sacramento County

All Sacramento County rules

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