Plainfield, NJ Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)
Key Facts
- Inspection cycle
- Every three years or tenant turnover, whichever is earlier
- Turnover notice
- At least 20 calendar days before turnover
- Lead-safe certification
- Valid two years from issuance
- Added state fee
- $20 per inspection per unit
- Penalty after 30-day cure period
- Up to $1,000 per week
- Exempt units
- Built during or after 1978
Summary
In the City of Plainfield, New Jersey, the owner of every residential rental single-family, two-family or multiple dwelling unit must obtain a lead-based paint inspection every three years or at tenant turnover, whichever is earlier. A lead-safe certification lasts two years, and failing to cure within 30 days draws a penalty up to $1,000 per week.
§ 8:6-2. Lead-based paint inspection - Owner requirement. ... (a) D ... welling owner is responsible for obtaining lead inspection. The owner, landlord, and/or agent of every residential rental single-family, two-family and/or multiple dwelling rental unit shall be required to obtain an inspection of the unit for lead-based paint hazards as required in this article, or at tenant turnover, whichever is earlier. ... (b) Recurring periodic lead-based paint inspections required. After the initial inspection required by Section 8:6-2(a), the property/dwelling owner, landlord and/or agent retained for rental of unit(s) shall be required to obtain an inspection of the dwelling unit for lead-based paint hazards the earlier of every three years or upon tenant turnover. ... (2) Whenever any dwelling unit is scheduled for tenant turnover, the then-current owner, landlord and/or agent shall provide written notice to the Municipal Inspector that an inspection is needed and shall provide said notice at least 20 calendar days prior to the scheduled date of the tenant turnover.
Full Breakdown
Article 6 of Chapter 8 was added on May 13, 2024 by Ord. No. MC 2024-23 and puts the lead inspection duty on the owner, landlord or agent of every residential rental single-family, two-family and multiple dwelling unit in the City of Plainfield. Under § 8:6-2, recurring inspections fall due the earlier of every three years or tenant turnover. At turnover the owner gives written notice to the Municipal Inspector at least 20 calendar days before the scheduled turnover date, unless a valid lead-safe certification is already provided to the City.
The owner can use the Municipal Lead Inspector or hire a lead inspector certified by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, and inspections use dust wipe sampling. Exempt units are those built during or after 1978, units certified free of lead-based paint, seasonal single-family or two-family rentals of less than six months a year without consecutive lease renewals, and certain multiple dwellings registered with the Department of Community Affairs for at least 10 years with no outstanding paint violations or a current certificate of lead inspection.
If no hazards are found, the unit is certified lead-safe for two years (§ 8:6-3). If hazards are found, § 8:6-4 requires lead abatement or interim controls; after interim controls a follow-up dust wipe inspection occurs within 60 days of the initial inspection, and a lead abatement clearance exempts the dwelling from future periodic inspections. Under § 8:6-5 the owner gives new tenants evidence of a valid lead-safe certification, attaches a copy to the lease, and files evidence with the Department of Health and Social Services.
Fees in § 8:6-6: the City inspection fee covers the cost of the Municipal Lead Inspector under a Shared Services Agreement with the City of Elizabeth; a $20 fee per inspection per unit goes to the New Jersey Lead Hazard Control Assistance Fund; and filing a certification costs $25 per dwelling unit. Inspections follow within 15 calendar days of the request under § 8:6-7.
Violations & Fines
Under § 8:6-8, the Municipal Inspector investigates and issues penalties against an owner who fails to comply. The owner first gets 30 calendar days to cure by conducting the required inspection or initiating remediation. After that the penalty is not to exceed $1,000 per week until the inspection is conducted or remediation is initiated and the City is notified. Remediation counts as initiated once the owner has a written contract with a lead abatement contractor. Failing to provide access at a scheduled inspection can bring a fine up to $300 per dwelling unit under § 8:6-6(e).
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Plainfield
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