Clifton, NJ Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)

Article IV of Chapter 273, adopted July 19, 2022 by Ordinance No. 7750-22 and amended January 20, 2026 by Ordinance No. 8069-26, applies to "all rental single-family, two-family, and multiple dwelling units" except those exempted. Under Section 273-46A, once the City identifies a covered unit it notifies the owner, who has 30 days to choose between the City's lead inspector and a private Department of Community Affairs-certified inspector. A. 16, performed at tenant turnover or within three years of that state law's effective date, whichever is earlier, then repeated every three years or at turnover unless the owner holds a valid lead-safe certification.

Section 273-46E exempts units already certified free of lead-based paint, units built during or after 1978, certain multiple-family buildings already flagged for outstanding Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law violations, seasonal single- or two-family rentals under six months without consecutive renewals, and units with a valid lead-safe certification. Section 273-46H requires owners to give incoming tenants a copy of the valid lead-safe certification attached to the lease and to keep tenant-name records of the inspection. Fees under Section 273-46I start at $300 for an initial one-bedroom inspection plus $30 per additional bedroom, $150 to $525 for later reinspections depending on unit count, $75 per unit for a failed-inspection recheck, $25 to file a certification, and a further $20-per-unit state Lead Hazard Control Assistance Act fee.