Somerville, MA Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)
Key Facts
- Statute
- MGL c.111 s.197A
- Trigger
- Pre-1978 with child under 6
- Letter
- Compliance or Interim Control
- Tax Credit
- Up to $1500 per unit
- Contact
- Somerville 311 or (617) 625-6600
Summary
Under MA Lead Law (MGL c.111 s.197A), Somerville owners must delead or apply interim control to any pre-1978 unit where a child under 6 lives, critical given the city's old housing stock.
Section 197A. Prospective purchasers of premises shall be notified about the hazards of lead in paint, plaster or other accessible structural material in premises and the requirements for their abatement or containment as follows:—
(a) The director shall prepare a standard notification form and such other materials as may be necessary to inform prospective purchasers about the possible presence of dangerous levels of lead in such premises, the symptoms and treatment of lead poisoning, and the requirements of the lead law and regulations, including the provisions concerning liability for failure to abate or contain lead hazards and prohibitions against unlawful discrimination. [...]
(b) All persons selling premises shall, prior to the signing of a purchase and sale agreement, provide a copy of the form and other materials prepared pursuant to subsection (a) to the prospective purchaser. [...] such seller and any real estate agent involved in the sale shall disclose to the prospective purchaser any information known to the seller or real estate agent about the presence of paint, plaster, or other accessible structural materials containing dangerous levels of lead in the premises. [...]
(e) Any owner who fails to comply with the provisions of this section shall be liable for all damages caused by the failure to comply and, in addition, shall be subject to assessment of a penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars. A violation of this section by a person engaged in trade or commerce shall be an unfair and deceptive act or practice as defined in section two of chapter ninety-three A.
Full Breakdown
189A through 199B, is among the strictest in the nation and is especially relevant in Somerville where much of the housing stock predates 1978. Property owners must remove or cover lead paint hazards in any home built before 1978 where a child under six lives or will live. Deleading must be performed by a licensed deleader (full compliance) or by an authorized person for low- and moderate-risk interim controls. After work, a Letter of Compliance or Letter of Interim Control must be issued by a licensed lead inspector and filed with the Massachusetts Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP).
151B and enforced by the MA Attorney General. Children under six in Somerville are screened annually for blood lead levels. Tax credits up to $1,500 per unit are available for deleading. Property sellers must give the Property Transfer Notification before offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my Somerville landlord refuse to rent because of my kids?
Do I need to delead if I live in my own Somerville home?
Sources & Official References
- [1]MA Lead Law
- [2]MA CLPPP
Other rules in Somerville
Compare Somerville to another location·View the Massachusetts building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Lead Paint in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle lead paint.