Stafford Township, NJ Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)

Article III of Chapter 81 of the Stafford Township Code, adopted 6-18-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-17, requires lead-based paint inspections of rental housing. Section 81-16 covers the owner, landlord and agent of every single-family, two-family or multiple dwelling unit offered for rental, who must obtain an inspection for lead-based paint hazards within two years of the effective date of the law, July 2, 2022, or upon tenant turnover, whichever is earlier. Section 81-17 repeats the inspection every three years or at tenant turnover, whichever is earlier, except that no turnover inspection is required when the owner holds a valid lead-safe certification. Section 81-18 ties the inspection standards to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-437.1 et seq. and N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq.

Section 81-19 exempts a unit that has been certified free of lead-based paint, was constructed during or after 1978, or holds a valid lead-safe certification. It also exempts a unit in a multiple dwelling registered with the Department of Community Affairs for at least 10 years with no outstanding lead violations from the most recent cyclical inspection, and a single-family or two-family seasonal rental rented for less than six months each year by tenants without consecutive lease renewals.

If hazards are found, section 81-20 makes the owner remediate through abatement or lead-based paint hazard control under N.J.S.A. 52:27D-437.16(d), followed by a re-inspection by the Township Code Enforcement Officer or designee, or the owner's private lead inspector. If none are found, section 81-21 has the inspector certify the unit lead safe on a Department of Community Affairs form, valid for two years and filed with the Code Enforcement Officer. Under section 81-22, the owner must give the Township evidence of the certification and latest tenant turnover at the cyclical inspection, give new tenants a copy at turnover, attach it as an exhibit to the lease, and keep a record that names the tenants.

Section 81-23 sets the fees: $300 for each Township lead-based paint inspection, no additional inspection fee if the owner hires a certified private evaluator, and $50 to file a lead-safe or lead-free certification. In a common interest community, the unit owner pays rather than the homeowners' association unless the association owns the unit.