Black Hawk County, IA Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- BHCC Chapter 8.30, adopted 4/27/2022
- Trigger
- EBL child lives at or frequently visits property
- Compliance deadline
- 30 days after notice, extendable
- Max civil penalty
- $750 per offense, $1,000 repeat
- Alternate penalty
- Misdemeanor: $65-$650 fine, up to 30 days jail
- Appeal window
- 10 days to the local board
Summary
Black Hawk County's lead program requires owners to fix hazardous lead-based paint within 30 days once the county Health Officer confirms a hazard tied to a child with elevated blood lead. Occupied dwellings can be placarded unfit for habitation until clearance testing passes.
8.30.070 Lead-based paint hazard reduction required. A. When the Health Officer appointed by the local board determines that hazardous lead-based paint, a dust-lead hazard, or a soil-lead hazard is present in a residential dwelling unit or child- occupied facility where an elevated blood lead (EBL) child lives or frequently visits, the Health Officer shall issue a written notice or a verbal notice to the owner within 30 days of the inspection and receipt of any laboratory results. The written notice shall require the owner to complete lead-based paint hazard reduction in a time period not to exceed 30 days. At the discretion of the Health Officer, additional time may be granted.
Full Breakdown
30 governs lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 residential dwellings and child-occupied facilities. 040, the Health Officer investigates whenever there is reason to suspect lead exposure in a pre-1978 dwelling and, if a hazard exists, notifies the responsible party of a compliance deadline. 050 requires the local board to appoint a Health Officer to conduct elevated blood lead (EBL) inspections wherever an EBL child lives or frequently visits, and owners and occupants must allow access. 070(A), the Health Officer must issue written or verbal notice to the owner within 30 days of the inspection and lab results, and the owner then has up to 30 days (extendable at the Officer's discretion) to complete lead-based paint hazard reduction.
070(B) bars leasing or reoccupying the unit, and the Health Officer placards the structure stating it is unfit for human habitation until clearance testing passes. 070(D), include removing loose or deteriorated paint and repainting, covering chewable or impact surfaces with permanent lead-free material, and covering soil-lead hazards with six inches of bark, gravel or sod. 080 include open-flame burning, uncontained water blasting, dry scraping or sanding outside narrow exceptions, and heat guns above 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit. 110.
Violations & Fines
A Chapter 8.30 violation is a County infraction under BHCC 8.30.100(B), carrying a civil penalty up to $750.00 per offense and $1,000.00 for repeat offenses, with each day of continued noncompliance a separate offense; alternatively, the county may charge a simple misdemeanor fine of $65.00 to $650.00 and up to 30 days in jail. The certified EBL inspector/risk assessor appointed by the Board of Health enforces the chapter, and unresolved hazards can be corrected directly by the local board with costs billed to the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Black Hawk County's lead-paint program apply?
How long does an owner have to fix a confirmed lead hazard?
Can a lead-hazard unit still be rented out?
What are the penalties for ignoring a lead-hazard order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Black Hawk County
Compare Black Hawk County to another location·View the Iowa building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.