What every Philadelphia landlord needs to know about lead certification requirements for rental license compliance.
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Important Notice for Philadelphia Landlords: Under Philadelphia's lead ordinance, rental properties built before 1978 require a Lead Safe or Lead Free Certificate as a condition of rental license issuance or renewal. Failure to comply can result in significant fines and rental license revocation.
Overview of Philadelphia's Lead Paint Law
Philadelphia enacted comprehensive lead paint legislation to protect residents — especially children — from the dangers of lead exposure in older housing. The city's lead ordinance (Philadelphia Code Chapter 6-800) establishes requirements for rental property owners with properties built before 1978.
Philadelphia has one of the oldest housing stocks in the nation. The majority of the city's housing was constructed before 1978, the year the federal government banned consumer use of lead-based paint. This means the majority of Philadelphia rental properties are subject to the city's lead certification requirements.
Who Is Affected?
Philadelphia's lead certification requirements apply to:
Rental properties built before 1978
All residential rental units offered for rent or occupancy
Landlords applying for a new rental license
Landlords renewing an existing rental license
Property owners renting to families with children under age 6 (heightened requirements)
📌 Key Date: 1978 is the threshold year. If your rental property was built in 1978 or later, you are generally exempt from lead certification requirements (unless deteriorated paint is present). If built before 1978, certification is required.
Lead Safe Certificate vs. Lead Free Certificate
Philadelphia recognizes two types of lead certifications:
🟡 Lead Safe Certificate
A Lead Safe Certificate means that while lead-based paint may be present in the property, it is intact and does not present an immediate hazard. This is the most common certification and is obtained by:
Having a lead dust wipe test performed by a certified technician
Ensuring all wipe sample results are below the EPA/HUD clearance standards
Confirming that paint surfaces are intact with no peeling, chipping, or deterioration
Submitting the clearance report and certificate application to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health
Lead Safe Certificates are valid for 2 years and must be renewed to maintain a valid rental license.
🟢 Lead Free Certificate
A Lead Free Certificate means that the property has been tested and confirmed to contain no lead-based paint anywhere on the property. This is a permanent certification and does not require renewal, making it an attractive option for property owners who want to invest in full remediation.
Requires comprehensive lead-based paint testing of all painted surfaces
All results must come back below the threshold for lead-based paint (1 mg/cm² or 0.5% by weight)
Typically achieved through full lead abatement by a certified abatement contractor
Once certified Lead Free, no further lead certification is required for rental licensing
What Happens If You Don't Comply?
Philadelphia takes lead compliance seriously. Landlords who fail to comply with the lead certification requirements face significant consequences:
Denial of rental license applications
Non-renewal of existing rental licenses
Civil fines and penalties
Legal liability if a tenant or child is harmed by lead exposure
Potential property liens
Referral to the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I)
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Don't Risk Your Rental License: Operating a rental property without a valid rental license in Philadelphia is illegal and can result in fines of up to $300 per day. Maintaining your lead certification is essential to keeping your rental license active.
The Lead Certification Process: Step by Step
Step 1: Determine If Your Property Is Subject to the Law
Check the year your property was built. Properties built before 1978 are subject to the lead certification requirement. You can find the year of construction on your property deed, tax records, or through the Philadelphia Office of Property Assessment.
Step 2: Hire an EPA-Certified Lead Testing Professional
The testing must be performed by an EPA-certified Dust Sampling Technician, Lead Inspector, or Lead Risk Assessor. LeadSafe 215 holds EPA Certification #NAT-F284622-1 and is qualified to perform the required testing.
Step 3: Undergo Lead Dust Wipe Testing
The certified technician will collect wipe samples from floors, windowsills, and window troughs throughout the property. These samples are analyzed by an EPA-accredited laboratory.
Step 4: Review Your Results
If all dust wipe results are below the HUD/EPA clearance standards, the property can be certified Lead Safe. If any results exceed the limits, remediation (cleaning or repair) is required before retesting.
Step 5: Obtain Your Lead Safe Certificate
With passing test results, you can apply for your Lead Safe Certificate through the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Your technician provides all required documentation.
Step 6: Attach Certificate to Your Rental License Application
Submit your Lead Safe Certificate with your rental license application or renewal through the City of Philadelphia's online portal or in person at the L&I office.
HUD/EPA Dust Lead Clearance Standards
Lead dust wipe sample results are compared against the following clearance standards to determine if a property can be certified Lead Safe:
Surface Type
HUD Standard
Status
Floors
10 µg/ft²
EPA Threshold
Interior Windowsills
100 µg/ft²
EPA Threshold
Window Troughs / Wells
400 µg/ft²
EPA Threshold
µg/ft² = micrograms per square foot. Results must fall below these thresholds for Lead Safe certification.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Philadelphia Lead Law
Lead Safe Certificates in Philadelphia are valid for 2 years. You must renew your certification before your certificate expires in order to renew your rental license. We recommend scheduling your re-test at least 60 days before your certificate expiration to allow time for any needed remediation.
If any wipe sample results come back above the clearance thresholds, the affected area must be cleaned and/or repaired by a qualified lead remediation contractor. Once the work is completed, we return to retest those surfaces to confirm clearance. There is typically a reduced fee for retesting after remediation.
No — the Lead Safe Certificate is a separate document that is required to obtain or renew your rental license. The Lead Safe Certificate is issued by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Your rental license is issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). You must present your Lead Safe Certificate when applying for your rental license.
Philadelphia's requirements specify that dust wipe samples must be collected from floors and windowsills in each room of the dwelling unit, as well as the interior common areas of multi-unit buildings. Our technicians will ensure all required surfaces are sampled during the inspection visit.
In most cases, properties built in 1978 or later are exempt from the lead certification requirement for rental licensing purposes, since lead-based paint was banned for consumer use in 1978. However, if there is any question about the construction date, or if your property was renovated using pre-1978 materials, we recommend consulting with a certified professional to confirm your compliance status.
Additional Resources
Philadelphia Department of Public Health – Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Philadelphia Code Chapter 6-800 (Lead Paint Disclosure and Certification Law)
U.S. EPA Lead Paint Laws and Regulations
HUD Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards
Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I)
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Need Help Getting Compliant?
LeadSafe 215 handles everything — from scheduling your inspection to delivering the documentation you need for your rental license. Call us today or request a free quote online.