Chattanooga, TN Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Ch. 20, Art. VI, § 20-116
- Initial notice period
- 10 days
- Max extension
- 30 days
- Tenant protection
- No eviction to dodge order (§ 20-117)
Summary
When Chattanooga's public health director or housing inspector finds a lead hazard on rental premises, the owner or occupant gets a 10-day notice to remove or cover the lead paint, extendable to 30 days.
When the director of public health or the housing inspector determines that the presence of lead paint or lead bearing substances upon any premises creates a health hazard to children or other persons he shall issue a ten (10) day notice to the owner or occupant to eliminate the hazard; however, at the discretion of the director of public health or of the housing inspector, additional time may be granted to remove, abate, or remedy such condition, not to exceed thirty (30) days. Lead paint shall be completely removed from any source which can be chewed or eaten by children; loose, cracked, chipped, blistered, peeling lead paint or other accessible lead bearing substances shall be completely removed. In lieu of removal of the lead paint, the accessible features may be covered with an approved, durable, protective material.(b)The methods used for the removal of lead paint shall not present a hazard to health from fumes, dust or vapors by inhalation or absorption through the skin and mucous membranes and shall be in accordance with all applicable laws, ordinances, regulations and safety standards and practices of the city and of state and federal agencies. (Code 1986, § 20-116)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 40 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Under Chattanooga City Code § 20-116, when the director of public health or the housing inspector finds that lead paint or lead-bearing substances on a premises create a health hazard to children or others, the owner or occupant receives a 10-day written notice to eliminate it, with discretion to extend to 30 days. Loose, cracked, chipped or peeling lead paint must be fully removed or covered with approved protective material, and removal methods can't create fume, dust or vapor hazards. Sec. 20-117 separately bars landlords from evicting a tenant to dodge a corrective lead order.
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply is a misdemeanor under Sec. 20-119, fined $10-$50 per day; illegally evicting a tenant to avoid the order under Sec. 20-117 is a separate daily offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Chattanooga landlord have to fix a lead hazard?
Can a Chattanooga landlord evict a tenant instead of fixing a lead hazard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chattanooga
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