Santa Clara properties built before 1978 are subject to federal lead disclosure rules and California Health and Safety Code 17920.10, which treats deteriorated lead paint as a substandard housing condition.
Lead-based paint is regulated in Santa Clara through overlapping federal and California rules. The federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Title X) requires sellers and landlords of housing built before 1978 to disclose known lead hazards, provide the EPA lead pamphlet, and include specific lead warning language in contracts. California Health and Safety Code 17920.10 declares that deteriorated lead-based paint in a residence is a substandard condition subject to code enforcement by the Santa Clara Building Division and County Public Health. Renovations disturbing painted surfaces in pre-1978 housing must be performed by EPA and California-certified Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) firms using lead-safe work practices. Landlord failure to disclose or remediate lead hazards can result in civil penalties, rent withholding actions, and tort liability for childhood lead exposure.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle lead paint.
See how Santa Clara's lead paint rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.