The Bronx has the highest childhood lead exposure rates in NYC. NYC Local Law 1 of 2004 (Admin Code 27-2056) presumes lead-based paint in any apartment built before 1960 where a child under 6 lives, and requires annual inspections, safe work practices, and remediation by landlords.
Local Law 1 requires landlords of pre-1960 multiple dwellings to: (1) annually notify tenants and inquire about children under 6, (2) inspect and remediate peeling paint within strict timelines, (3) use EPA-certified lead-safe renovators for any work disturbing 2+ sq ft of paint, (4) perform XRF testing and clearance dust wipes after work. Local Law 31 of 2020 added a requirement for XRF testing of every apartment by August 2025 in pre-1960 buildings with children under 6 (expanded to all such apartments by 2027). Local Law 66 of 2019 lowered the actionable lead threshold to 0.5 mg/cm2.
HPD violations for peeling lead paint: Class C hazardous, penalties $250-$500 per violation per day, plus civil actions by tenants and NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
See how Bronx County's lead paint rules stack up against other locations.
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