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Philadelphia, PA Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Fine per violation
$300 per residential unit
Order noncompliance fine
$2,000 per unit
Enforcement trigger
Child blood lead level report
Consequence
Rental license revoked until abated
Tenant remedy
Triple monthly rent plus fees

Summary

Philadelphia's Health Department can order landlords to eliminate lead-based paint hazards in rental units, and Licenses and Inspections revokes the rental license until the hazard is certified removed.

When the Department issues an order to the owner or to a representative of the owner of a residential housing unit to eliminate lead-based paint health hazards, the Department will direct the Department of Licenses and Inspections to revoke the rental license for the unit.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 Code: Electronic version of The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter is current through August 19, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Under Philadelphia Code § 6-403, the Health Department tests rental properties for lead-based paint after a report of an elevated blood lead level in a child, or on an owner's request. If a violation is confirmed, the Department orders the owner to eliminate the hazard and directs the Department of Licenses and Inspections to revoke the unit's rental license. Owners cannot evict, coerce a tenant to leave, change lease terms, or re-rent the unit until the hazard is eliminated, and rent collection stops if the owner doesn't comply within 30 days. Once the Department certifies the hazard removed, L&I reinstates the license and rent resumes.

Violations & Fines

First offense fines run $300 per unit; failure to comply with a Department order costs $2,000 per unit, with each day of continuing noncompliance a separate violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my landlord evict me after Philadelphia orders a lead hazard fixed?
No. Once the Health Department orders lead hazard abatement, § 6-403(5) bars eviction, coercion to leave, lease changes, or re-renting the unit until the hazard is eliminated.
What happens to the rental license if lead hazards aren't fixed?
The Department of Licenses and Inspections revokes the unit's rental license and won't reinstate it until the Health Department certifies the lead-based paint hazard has been removed.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Philadelphia

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All Philadelphia rules

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