San Bernardino, CA Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)

Lead paint is a top priority for San Bernardino Code Enforcement and county Environmental Health due to the citys large pre-1978 housing stock. California Health and Safety Code 17920.10 classifies lead hazards in residential buildings, including deteriorated paint, lead-contaminated dust, and bare lead-contaminated soil, as substandard conditions that must be abated. Property owners are responsible for maintaining intact painted surfaces, and landlords must disclose known lead hazards to tenants under the federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act. Any renovation, repair, or painting project that disturbs more than 6 square feet of interior painted surface per room or 20 square feet of exterior surface in a pre-1978 dwelling must be performed by EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firms following the RRP rule, including plastic containment, HEPA vacuuming, and cleaning verification. California Department of Public Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch requires blood lead reporting at 3.5 micrograms per deciliter or higher and investigates to locate sources. Tenants with children under six diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels can trigger mandatory abatement orders. Noncompliant contractors can be fined by both the EPA and California Department of Public Health. Dust wipe clearance testing is required on many projects before reoccupancy.