Cleveland has one of the strictest lead safety laws in the United States. The Lead Safe Certification Program (CCO 240) requires all rental units built before 1978 to be certified lead-safe by March 2023 and recertified every 2 years. Cuyahoga County Board of Health enforces federal lead rules countywide.
Cleveland's Lead Safe Certification Ordinance requires visual inspections and dust wipe testing by a certified lead risk assessor for all pre-1978 rental units. Landlords must remediate any identified lead hazards before obtaining certification. Recertification is required every 2 years. Non-compliance results in rental license suspension and placement on the Lead Safe Home Registry as non-compliant. Cuyahoga County Board of Health administers the federal EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule requiring certified contractors for work disturbing lead paint. Ohio Department of Health investigates childhood lead poisoning cases.
Non-compliant rental: rental license revocation, up to $1,000 per day fines. RRP violations: EPA penalties up to $46,000 per violation.
See how Cuyahoga County's lead paint rules stack up against other locations.
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