Sacramento County, CA Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)
Key Facts
- Pre-1978
- Disclosure required
- State Code
- HSC 17920.10
- Federal Rule
- EPA RRP 40 CFR 745
- RRP Trigger
- 6 sf interior / 20 sf ext
- Certified Firm
- Required for paid work
Summary
Sacramento County enforces CA HSC 17920.10 (lead hazard as substandard housing) and federal EPA RRP Rule for renovations in pre-1978 homes.
(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 or by this section and that are likely to endanger the health of the public or the occupants thereof as a result of their proximity to the public or the occupants thereof.
(c) In the absence of new regulations adopted by the State Department of Health Services in accordance with the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act defining the term "disturbing lead-based paint without containment" or modifying the term "deteriorated lead-based paint," for purposes of this part "disturbing lead-based paint without containment" and "deteriorated lead-based paint" shall be considered lead hazards as described in subdivision (a) only if the aggregate affected area is equal to or in excess of one of the following:
(1) Two square feet in any one interior room or space.
(2) Twenty square feet on exterior surfaces.
(3) Ten percent of the surface area on the interior or exterior type of component with a small surface area. Examples include window sills, baseboards, and trim.
Full Breakdown
California Health and Safety Code 17920.10 classifies lead-based paint hazards as conditions that make housing substandard, enforceable by county code enforcement. All residential rental property built before 1978 falls under the federal Lead Disclosure Rule (24 CFR 35) requiring lead paint disclosures to tenants and buyers. The EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule (40 CFR 745) requires certified firms and certified renovators for any paid work disturbing over 6 square feet of lead paint interior or 20 square feet exterior in pre-1978 homes. Sacramento County Environmental Management Department handles child lead-exposure investigations alongside the California Department of Public Health.
Violations & Fines
EPA RRP violations: up to 37500 dollars per violation per day. Failure to disclose: treble damages under federal law. State substandard housing: county abatement orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renovate my pre-1978 home myself?
What if my child tests positive for lead?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California building safety overview
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