Lead Paint: Columbus vs Westerville
How do lead paint rules compare between Columbus, OH and Westerville, OH?
Westerville has fewer restrictions than Columbus.
Columbus, OH
Franklin County
Columbus Housing Code (Title 45) requires removal of lead-bearing substances in a safe manner. Ohio follows the federal EPA RRP Rule requiring certified renovators for work disturbing lead paint in pre-1978 housing. Columbus City Health Department tracks childhood lead poisoning cases.
View full Columbus rules →Westerville, OH
Franklin County
Westerville has not adopted a local lead-abatement ordinance comparable to Cleveland's Chapter 365 or Toledo's lead-safe certification program. Instead, lead abatement work inside Westerville is governed by Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3742 and Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3701-32, which require licensed abatement contractors and Ohio Department of Health (ODH) clearance for any project where lead-hazard control is performed.
View full Westerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Columbus | Westerville |
|---|---|---|
| City Code | Columbus Title 45 Housing Code | - |
| Federal Rule | EPA RRP (40 CFR 745) | - |
| Threshold | 6 sq ft interior / 20 sq ft exterior | - |
| Disclosure | Required for pre-1978 rentals | - |
| State Code | OAC Chapter 3701-32 | - |
| Local Ordinance | - | None specific to lead - defers to Ohio law |
| State Law | - | ORC 3742, OAC 3701-32 |
| Contractor Requirement | - | ODH-licensed lead abatement contractor |
| Trigger Threshold | - | 6 sq ft interior / 20 sq ft exterior paint |
| State Penalty | - | Up to $1,000/day (ORC 3742.99) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Columbus FAQ
Do I need a certified contractor for renovation work in my older Columbus home?
If your home was built before 1978 and the work disturbs more than 6 square feet of interior paint or 20 square feet of exterior paint, you must use an EPA RRP-certified renovator with lead-safe work practices.
Where do I report lead paint concerns in Columbus?
Contact Columbus Public Health (Columbus City Health Department) for lead poisoning concerns or housing lead hazard complaints.
Westerville FAQ
Does Westerville require a lead-safe certificate for rentals?
No. Unlike Cleveland and Toledo, Westerville has not adopted a lead-safe rental certification ordinance. Rental owners follow Westerville Chapter 1335 registration plus federal lead-disclosure rules under 24 CFR 35.
Who can do lead abatement work in Westerville?
Only an Ohio Department of Health-licensed lead abatement contractor (ORC 3742). Property owners cannot self-perform abatement on rentals or pre-1978 child-occupied facilities.
Where do I report a lead hazard?
Contact Franklin County Public Health (614-525-3160) which handles lead inspections and orders for Westerville, plus the Ohio Department of Health lead poisoning prevention program.
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