Norfolk, VA Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)
Key Facts
- Lead threshold, pre-1978 paint
- 0.5% lead by weight
- Lead threshold, post-Feb. 1978 paint
- 0.06% lead by weight
- Extractable lead limit, containers
- 7.0 micrograms per milliliter
- Banned
- Lead paint on child-occupied surfaces
- Banned
- Sale of lead-painted toys/furniture
- Penalty
- Class 2 misdemeanor, § 27-32
Summary
Norfolk bans applying lead-containing paint, or any lead substance above 0.06 percent by weight, to surfaces of homes or facilities used by children, under City Code § 27-33. Selling lead-painted toys or furniture is also unlawful under § 27-34, with violations charged as a Class 2 misdemeanor.
It shall be unlawful for any person in the city to use or apply or cause to be used or applied lead-containing paint, as defined in this article, or any substance containing lead in excess of six one-hundredths (0.06) of one percentum by weight to interior surfaces and to those exterior surfaces of any premises, dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit or any facility occupied, used or likely to be used by children.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 166).
Full Breakdown
06 percent lead by weight for paint manufactured after February 27, 1978. Section 27-31(h) defines a "lead-containing paint hazard" as any such paint on a surface that is reachable and chewable by children, or that is cracking, scaling, chipping, peeling, or loose. 06 percent by weight, to interior surfaces or to exterior surfaces of any premises, dwelling, rooming house, or facility occupied, used, or likely to be used by children. 0 micrograms per milliliter, as defined in § 27-31(e). Section 27-35 requires lead-content containers to be labeled per state and federal law, including the Federal Hazardous Substances Labeling Act. The article dates to Ord. No. 31,048, adopted March 24, 1981, and Code 1958 §§ 30-18 through 30-21.
Violations & Fines
Applying lead-containing paint, more than 0.06 percent lead by weight for post-1978 paint, to any interior or exterior surface of a home or facility used by children violates § 27-33. Selling lead-painted toys or furniture, or food containers exceeding 7.0 micrograms per milliliter of extractable lead, violates § 27-34. Any violation of Article II is a Class 2 misdemeanor under § 27-32.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a landlord repaint a Norfolk rental with lead-based paint?
Is it illegal to sell old toys with lead paint in Norfolk?
What's the penalty for a lead paint violation in Norfolk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Norfolk
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