Fort Wayne, IN Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)
Key Facts
- Pre-1978
- RRP rule applies
- Certification
- EPA firm plus trained workers
- State Program
- 410 IAC 29 ISDH
- Disclosure
- 42 USC 4852d for rentals
- Federal Fine
- Up to 37,500 per day
Summary
Fort Wayne enforces federal EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule requiring EPA-certified firms for work on pre-1978 housing. Indiana operates its own EPA-authorized lead program under 410 IAC 29.
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).
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Federal law (40 CFR Part 745) requires contractors performing renovation, repair, or painting on pre-1978 residential housing and child-occupied facilities to be EPA-certified and follow lead-safe work practices. Indiana runs an EPA-authorized program under 410 IAC 29 administered by the Indiana State Department of Health. Firms must be certified, workers trained, and owners or occupants given the Renovate Right pamphlet before work begins. Fort Wayne housing built before 1978 is common, particularly in older downtown and near-downtown neighborhoods. Landlords must also comply with federal lead disclosure under 42 USC 4852d for rental housing. Fort Wayne Neighborhood Code may cite property owners for deteriorated lead paint as a public health hazard.
Violations & Fines
Federal RRP violation: up to 37,500 dollars per violation per day. Landlord disclosure failure: up to 19,500 dollars federal plus civil liability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my Fort Wayne home likely to have lead paint?
Do I need a certified contractor for my own home?
Sources & Official References
- [1]EPA Lead RRP
Other rules in Fort Wayne
Compare Fort Wayne to another location·View the Indiana building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.