Lakewood, NJ Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted
- Dec. 5, 2024, Ord. 2024-044
- Initial inspection deadline
- turnover or by July 22, 2024
- Reinspection cycle
- every 3 years or at turnover
- Exempt units
- built 1978 or later
- Inspection fee
- $60-$150 plus $20 surcharge
- Max penalty
- $1,000 per week
Summary
Adopted December 5, 2024 by Ordinance No. 2024-044, § 15-4 requires every Lakewood Township single-family, two-family, and multiple rental dwelling to be inspected for lead-based paint hazards at tenant turnover or by a set deadline, then reinspected every three years or at turnover, implementing New Jersey's statewide lead-safe law, P.L. 2021, c. 182.
Initial Inspections. At tenant turnover, or within two years of July 22, 2022 (the effective date of P.L. 2021, c. 182), whichever is sooner, every single-family, two-family, and multiple rental dwelling subject to this section located within the Township shall be inspected for lead-based paint hazards. ... Periodic Inspections. After the initial inspection, all dwelling units shall be inspected for lead-based paint hazards the earlier of every three years or upon tenant turnover, whichever is earlier, except that an inspection upon tenant turnover shall not be required if the owner has a valid lead-safe certification for the dwelling unit.
Full Breakdown
Lakewood Township's lead-based paint program, added to Chapter 15 by Ordinance No. L. 2021, c. 3a. 3b requires reinspection every three years or at each tenant turnover, whichever comes first, unless the unit already holds a valid lead-safe certification. 3c. 4 allows a visual assessment where less than 3% of children tested six and under have elevated blood lead levels, but requires dust-wipe sampling once that threshold is reached. 5 requires the owner to remediate through abatement or interim controls and pass a follow-up inspection before the unit is certified lead-safe for two years.
6 exempts units built in or after 1978, seasonal rentals under six months with no consecutive renewals, and older multiple dwellings that have carried a clean DCA registration for at least 10 years. 8 run $60 per unit for inspections tied to the rental Certificate of Occupancy process, plus a $20 Lead Hazard Control Assistance Fund surcharge, or $150 for other inspections, also plus the $20 surcharge.
Violations & Fines
Under § 15-4.10, the Department of Code Enforcement and Zoning can investigate and cite an owner who misses a required inspection or fails to remediate a confirmed hazard. The owner gets 30 days to cure by scheduling the inspection or starting remediation; after that, the Township may impose a penalty of up to $1,000 per week until the work is done, and any unpaid penalty becomes a lien on the property collected with the taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lakewood Township require lead paint inspections in rentals?
Which Lakewood rentals are exempt from the lead paint inspection rule?
What happens if a Lakewood landlord skips the required lead inspection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
Compare Lakewood 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.
Lead Paint in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle lead paint.