St. Louis, MO Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)
Key Facts
- Covers
- Dwellings built before 1978
- Treatment deadline
- 14 days after notice
- City lien recovery
- 60% of remediation cost
- Small-owner exemption
- 4 or fewer units, max 3 premises
- Retaliation ban
- No eviction for lead testing
Summary
St. Louis inspects pre-1978 rentals for lead paint, orders landlords to treat it within 14 days, and can remediate itself and lien the property for 60% of the cost.
If the person served the notice does not comply with the order of the Health Commissioner to correct and treat the condition within the prescribed time period the Health Department may, itself or by contract, correct the condition by remediating the hazard, charge the costs thereof to the owner ... collect the costs by lien or otherwise. The lien ... shall remain in effect until the property owner reimburses the City of St. Louis' Lead Fund for sixty (60) percent of the costs for remediation made or until the property owner continuously maintains the unit as lead safe for ten (10) years.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 11).
Full Breakdown
Under the city's Lead Poisoning Control Law (Ch. 11.22, enacted 2023), the Health Commissioner inspects dwellings built before 1978 for lead-bearing paint and, if found, must notify tenants, the owner, and any rental agent in writing and post notice on the property within 10 days. If the owner does not treat the hazard within 14 days, the city can prosecute, or the Health Department can remediate the condition itself and place a lien on the property that stays until the owner reimburses 60% of the remediation cost (or keeps the unit lead-safe for 10 years). Owners of 4 or fewer units who own no more than 3 residential premises are exempt from prosecution. Separately, any building permit for demolition, renovation, or abatement on a pre-1978 structure must include a certified lead inspection and risk assessment report before it can be issued.
Violations & Fines
Fine of $100-$500 per violation after prosecution, plus the city can remediate and lien the property for 60% of remediation costs; lead abatement contractors face escalating fines up to loss of their city privilege after a 4th offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord evict me for reporting lead paint in St. Louis?
Are small St. Louis landlords exempt from lead prosecution?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Louis
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