Elizabeth, NJ Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)
Key Facts
- Inspection interval
- Every 3 years or at tenant turnover
- State surcharge
- $20 per unit per inspection
- Certification filing fee
- $25 per dwelling unit
- Access-denial fine
- Up to $300 per unit
- Cure period before penalty
- 30 calendar days
- Ongoing noncompliance penalty
- Up to $1,000 per week
- Built-1978-or-later units
- Exempt from inspection
Summary
Elizabeth requires owners of single-family, two-family and covered multiple-dwelling rentals to get a lead-based paint inspection from the municipal lead inspector, or a private DCA-certified inspector, before tenant turnover and at least every three years, under City Code Chapter 7.21, adopted by Ordinance No. 5966 on March 26, 2024.
A.Dwelling Owner is Responsible for Obtaining Lead Inspection. The owner, landlord, and/or agent of every residential rental single-family, two-family and/or multiple dwelling rental unit shall be required to obtain an inspection of the unit for lead-based paint hazards as required in this chapter, or at tenant turnover, whichever is earlier. To obtain the required lead inspection, the landlord, owner, and/or agent shall arrange said lead inspection with the municipal lead inspector and pay all applicable and required fees associated with the city's inspection as specified in section 7.21.060 below.B.Recurring Periodic Lead-Based Paint Inspections Required. After the initial inspection required by subsection 7.21.020(A), the property/dwelling owner, landlord and/or agent retained for rental of unit(s), shall be required to obtain an inspection of the dwelling unit for lead-based paint hazards the earlier of every three (3) years or upon tenant turnover.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31).
Full Breakdown
020 makes the owner, landlord or agent of every residential rental single-family, two-family or multiple dwelling unit responsible for obtaining a lead-based paint inspection at tenant turnover or, once an initial inspection is done, on a recurring three-year cycle, whichever comes first. The owner arranges the inspection with the city's municipal lead inspector (an employee or outside contractor certified by the Department of Community Affairs under a shared-services agreement with the City of Plainfield) and pays the fee, or may instead hire a private DCA-certified lead inspector; the city can bar an owner from that private-hire option if a prior privately arranged inspection was never completed.
C. 3(b)(1). 020(E). C. 5:17, followed by a clearance dust-wipe re-inspection within 60 days of interim controls, or a lead abatement clearance certificate for abatement work. 070. 050.
Violations & Fines
Failing to provide inspection access can draw a fine up to $300 per dwelling unit under section 7.21.060(E), and fees are non-refundable without 48 hours' written cancellation notice. Under 7.21.080, an owner who does not cure a violation, by scheduling the inspection or starting remediation, within 30 calendar days of notice is subject to a penalty up to $1,000 per week until the inspection is completed or remediation is initiated. Any other violation of Chapter 7.21 is punished under City Code chapter 1.12's general penalty provision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Elizabeth require lead paint inspections for rental units?
How often do Elizabeth landlords need a new lead inspection?
What units are exempt from Elizabeth's lead inspection rule?
What happens if a landlord won't let the inspector in?
What is the penalty for not fixing a confirmed lead hazard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Elizabeth
Compare Elizabeth to another location·View the New Jersey building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.