Tarrant County, TX Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)
Key Facts
- RRP Requirement
- EPA RRP Rule: certified contractor required for pre-1978 housing renovation
- HUD Disclosure
- HUD disclosure required: EPA pamphlet + 10-day inspection period
- State Certification
- Texas DSHS certifies lead abatement firms under 25 TAC 295
- Violation Penalty
- RRP violations: up to approx. $44,000 per violation per day
- Local Ordinance
- No separate Tarrant County lead ordinance; federal + state enforcement
Summary
Lead paint in Tarrant County is governed by the federal EPA RRP Rule (40 CFR Part 745) and HUD disclosure rules for pre-1978 housing. Texas DSHS administers abatement certification under the Occupations Code.
Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule: 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 [...]. 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.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Lead-based paint in housing built before 1978 is regulated primarily by federal law, with Texas state enforcement. The EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule under 40 CFR Part 745 requires that contractors performing renovation work disturbing more than 6 square feet of interior paint or 20 square feet of exterior paint in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities be RRP-certified. Contractors must follow lead-safe work practices: contain the work area, minimize dust, and clean up properly using HEPA vacuums and wet wiping. Owner-occupants may perform their own work but are still responsible for cleanup if the home contains children under 6 or pregnant women.
The federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act requires that sellers and landlords of pre-1978 housing disclose known lead hazards, provide the EPA pamphlet Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home, and give buyers a 10-day inspection opportunity. In Texas, the Texas Department of State Health Services Lead Program administers certification of lead abatement workers and firms under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1955 and 25 TAC Chapter 295. Abatement (as distinct from RRP renovation) is lead-hazard reduction designed to permanently eliminate lead hazards and must be performed by a state-certified firm. Tarrant County Public Health does not have a separate lead program; enforcement is federal and state.
Violations & Fines
EPA RRP violations can result in civil penalties up to approximately $44,000 per violation per day (adjusted annually). HUD disclosure violations expose sellers and landlords to triple damages plus attorneys fees under 42 USC 4852d. Texas DSHS can suspend or revoke certification for abatement workers violating 25 TAC 295. Property owners whose children suffer lead poisoning may face tort claims under Texas common law negligence and premises liability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lead-certified contractor to renovate my old home?
Am I required to disclose lead paint when selling?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tarrant County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Tarrant County to another location·View the Texas building safety overview
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