Kent, WA Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)

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. Homeowners If you are planning an RRP project in a pre-1978 home, EPA recommends that homeowners hire a lead-safe certified contractor who is certified and trained in lead-safe work practices. Renters If you rent a pre-1978 home, your landlord or property management company must comply with the RRP Rule when performing work that disturbs paint. Operators of Childcare Facilities The RRP Rule requires that renovations of child-occupied facilities in buildings built before 1978 only be performed by lead-safe certified renovation firms. 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.