Lead Paint: San Jose vs Sunnyvale
How do lead paint rules compare between San Jose, CA and Sunnyvale, CA?
San Jose and Sunnyvale have similar restriction levels.
San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County pre-1978 home renovation follows EPA RRP rules and CA Health and Safety Code 17920.10. Contractors disturbing more than 6 sq ft interior or 20 sq ft exterior painted surfaces must be lead-certified.
View full San Jose rules →Sunnyvale, CA
Santa Clara County
Sunnyvale follows federal EPA RRP Rule and California Title 17 for lead-safe work practices on pre-1978 homes. Contractors must be lead-certified for disturbances over 6 square feet interior.
View full Sunnyvale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Jose | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| State statute | H and S 17920.10 | - |
| Federal rule | EPA RRP 40 CFR 745 | - |
| Trigger | Pre-1978 housing | Over 6 sq ft interior |
| Certification | CA CDPH Title 17 | EPA and CDPH |
| Disclosure damages | Up to 3x actual | - |
| Federal Rule | - | EPA RRP 40 CFR 745 |
| State Law | - | H and S Code 17920.10 |
| Seller Disclosure | - | Required pre-1978 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Jose FAQ
Do I need a lead-certified contractor for a small patch?
Federal rules exempt minor repairs disturbing less than 6 square feet interior or 20 square feet exterior per room in a pre-1978 home. Above those thresholds or if the home is a child-occupied facility, certification is required.
Can a tenant sue over lead paint?
Yes. If the landlord knew or should have known of lead hazards and did not disclose or abate, tenants can sue under H and S 17920.10 for habitability, under 42 USC 4852d for nondisclosure, and under common law negligence for actual injuries.
Sunnyvale FAQ
My Sunnyvale house is from 1960. Can I repaint myself?
You can do your own work on your owner-occupied home, but if you rent it out or have a child under 6 or pregnant resident, lead-safe work practices under the RRP rule apply.
Who enforces this in Sunnyvale?
Sunnyvale at (408) 730-7500 handles most complaints.
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