Austin, TX Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)

Under the federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Title X, 42 U.S.C. 4851-4856) and EPA regulations (40 CFR Part 745), all sellers and landlords of housing built before 1978 in Austin must disclose known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards, provide buyers and tenants with a copy of the EPA pamphlet 'Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home,' and for sales transactions, allow the buyer a 10-day period to conduct a lead paint inspection or risk assessment (this period can be waived). In Texas, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) provides the standard lead-based paint addendum form for real estate transactions. Renovation, repair, and painting activities that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 housing must be performed by EPA-certified renovators following the EPA RRP Rule (40 CFR 745 Subpart E). Austin's property maintenance code (adopted under Chapter 25-12 of the Land Development Code) requires habitable structures to be maintained in a safe condition, which includes addressing peeling or deteriorating paint in pre-1978 buildings when lead hazards are suspected.