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Des Plaines, IL Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified April 2026

Key Facts

Federal Rule
EPA RRP (40 CFR 745)
State Law
410 ILCS 45
Disturbance Trigger
6 sq ft interior / 20 ext
Certified Renovator
Required pre-1978
Disclosure
Required at sale/lease

Summary

Pre-1978 housing renovation in Des Plaines must comply with the EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule and Illinois Lead Poisoning Prevention Act. Disturbing painted surfaces requires certified contractors and lead-safe work practices.

EPA’s RRP Rule requires that anyone paid to perform work that disturbs painted surfaces in homes, childcare facilities and preschools built before 1978 be certified and their employees be trained (either as a certified renovator or on-the-job by a certified renovator) in the use of lead-safe work practices that minimize occupants’ exposure to lead hazards. In general, the RRP Rule does not apply to homeowners doing RRP projects in their own pre-1978 homes. However, it does apply if you rent all or part of your home, operate a childcare center in your home or if you buy, renovate and sell homes for profit (i.e., a house flipper). EPA administers the RRP Program in most Tribes, states and territories, but has authorized the following to operate their own programs: Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin and the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe-Boise Forte (Nette Lake). [...] Contractors: In general, anyone paid to perform work that disturbs paint in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 must be certified in lead-safe work practices. This includes all firms, even sole proprietorships. [...] Property Managers: Property management companies that perform, offer or claim to perform work that disturbs paint in a pre-1978 residential building or child-occupied facility must become a lead-safe certified firm.

Source: EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting RuleView official code

Full Breakdown

Federal and state law govern lead paint in Des Plaines, with significant pre-1978 housing stock especially in older neighborhoods. The EPA RRP Rule (40 CFR Part 745) requires contractors performing renovation, repair, or painting that disturbs more than 6 sq ft interior or 20 sq ft exterior of paint in pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facilities to be certified, follow lead-safe work practices, and provide the EPA 'Renovate Right' pamphlet to owners and occupants. The Illinois Lead Poisoning Prevention Act (410 ILCS 45) requires reporting of elevated blood lead levels and authorizes the Illinois Department of Public Health to inspect and order abatement. Cook County Department of Public Health enforces locally. Property owners with children under 6 testing positive for elevated blood lead may face mitigation orders. Real estate transactions of pre-1978 housing require federal lead-disclosure forms.

Violations & Fines

EPA RRP violations: federal civil penalties up to $40,000+ per violation. State/county abatement orders: thousands in remediation costs. Failure to disclose at sale: federal civil and criminal liability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my Des Plaines renovation need a lead-certified contractor?
If the home was built before 1978 and the work disturbs more than 6 sq ft interior or 20 sq ft exterior of painted surface, yes. Owners doing their own work in their own home are generally exempt.
Where do I report a child with elevated blood lead?
Reports go to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Cook County DPH coordinates local follow-up including possible inspection.
Do I need to disclose lead paint when selling?
Yes, federal Title X requires lead-paint disclosure for housing built before 1978 in all sales and most leases.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Des Plaines

All Des Plaines rules

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