Santa Clara County, CA Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)
Key Facts
- State statute
- H and S 17920.10
- Federal rule
- EPA RRP 40 CFR 745
- Trigger
- Pre-1978 housing
- Certification
- CA CDPH Title 17
- Disclosure damages
- Up to 3x actual
Summary
Santa Clara County pre-1978 home renovation follows EPA RRP rules and CA Health and Safety Code 17920.10. Contractors disturbing more than 6 sq ft interior or 20 sq ft exterior painted surfaces must be lead-certified.
(a) Any building or portion thereof including any dwelling unit, guestroom, or suite of rooms, or portion thereof, or the premises on which it is located, is deemed to be in violation of this part as to any portion that contains lead hazards. For purposes of this part, "lead hazards" means deteriorated lead-based paint, lead-contaminated dust, lead-contaminated soil, or disturbing lead-based paint without containment, if one or more of these hazards are present in one or more locations in amounts that are equal to or exceed the amounts of lead established for these terms in Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 35001) of Division 1 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations.
Full Breakdown
10 defines any lead paint hazard in residential buildings as a substandard condition that makes the dwelling uninhabitable if it poses an exposure risk, particularly deteriorating paint, chewable surfaces, friction or impact surfaces, or lead-contaminated dust or soil. The Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health investigates complaints, especially in older homes in downtown San Jose, Palo Alto, and Los Gatos built before 1978. Federal EPA RRP rules under 40 CFR Part 745 require lead-safe certified renovators for any work disturbing more than 6 square feet of interior or 20 square feet of exterior painted components in pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facilities, and require pre-renovation lead pamphlets to owners and occupants.
California Department of Public Health certifies lead inspectors, assessors, and supervisors under Title 17 CCR Section 35001 and higher, and only certified personnel can perform abatement. Property owners who fail to disclose known lead paint in a sale or lease violate 42 USC 4852d with up to three times actual damages. Tenants can report hazards to the County, which can issue notices to correct and assess administrative penalties, and chronic noncompliance can be referred to the District Attorney for criminal prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lead-certified contractor for a small patch?
Can a tenant sue over lead paint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California building safety overview
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