Lead paint in pre-1978 Iowa City housing is governed by the Iowa Lead-Based Paint Act at Iowa Code Section 135.100 et seq., the federal EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, and Iowa City's Housing Code under Title 17 Chapter 5. Renovators disturbing painted surfaces in pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facilities must be EPA RRP-certified and follow lead-safe work practices. Iowa City offers homeowner rehabilitation assistance through CDBG-funded programs (up to $24,999 forgivable loan) that can address lead hazards in qualifying homes.
Lead-based paint hazards in Iowa City run through three overlapping frameworks. Federal law at 40 CFR Part 745 (the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule) requires that any renovation disturbing more than six square feet of interior or 20 square feet of exterior painted surfaces in housing built before 1978 or in a child-occupied facility be performed by an EPA-certified firm using EPA-certified renovators following lead-safe work practices. Iowa has been delegated EPA RRP authority and runs the certification program through the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) at https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/building/lead/lead-safe-renovation-and-prerenovation-notification. The Iowa Lead-Based Paint Act at Iowa Code Section 135.100 et seq. (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/135.pdf) adds Iowa-specific certification requirements for lead inspectors, risk assessors, lead abatement contractors, and elevated-blood-lead-level case management through Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, with implementing rules at IAC 481 Ch. 470 (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/chapter/01-07-2026.481.470.pdf) and 641 Ch. 68 (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/chapter/641.68.pdf). Iowa City's Housing Inspection Services (https://www.icgov.org/government/departments-and-divisions/neighborhood-and-development-services/neighborhood-services/housing-inspection-services) enforces the Iowa City Housing Code under Title 17 Chapter 5, which addresses deteriorated paint as a habitability issue in rental units. The City's Homeowner Rehabilitation Program (https://www.icgov.org/residents/assistance-programs/resources-for-homeowners) provides up to $24,999 in 0% interest, 10-year forgivable loan funding via CDBG to qualified low-income owner-occupants for rehabilitation work, which can include lead hazard reduction. Tenants in pre-1978 rentals are protected by the federal Lead Disclosure Rule at 24 CFR Part 35 — landlords must disclose known lead hazards before lease signing and provide the EPA pamphlet 'Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home.' Iowa City Housing Inspection: 319-356-5120.
Performing renovation, repair, or painting in pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facilities without EPA RRP firm and renovator certification violates 40 CFR Part 745 and the Iowa Lead-Based Paint Act, enforceable by EPA and Iowa DIAL with civil penalties up to $40,000+ per violation per day. Failing to provide the federally required lead disclosure to a tenant or buyer of pre-1978 housing violates 24 CFR Part 35 and exposes the seller or landlord to triple-damage civil liability. Performing lead abatement without an Iowa-certified contractor is enforceable by Iowa DIAL. Iowa City Housing Inspection can cite deteriorated paint as a Title 17 Chapter 5 habitability violation.
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