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Clifton, NJ lead-safe certificate: fee, inspection and how to apply
Fee in Clifton
First city inspection (visual + dust wipe): $300 for a 1-bedroom unit + $30 per extra bedroom. Later city visual inspections: $150 (1 unit), $275 (2), $400 (3), $525 (4+ units at one property). $75 per unit re-inspection after a fail. $25 filing fee + $20 state fee per unit ($45 total to file a private certificate)
Who inspects
Clifton Health Department lead inspector, or a DCA-certified lead evaluation contractor the owner hires
How to apply
Inspection type
Visual assessment on the state’s 2025–26 list (DCA list). Your town or contractor may still use dust wipes.
County
Passaic County · population 90,296 (2020)
📌 Clifton requires dust wipe sampling on the first inspection even though the state lists it as a visual town. The city mails owners a notice; you have 21 days (letter) or 30 days (code) to tell the Health Department whether you will use the city or a private inspector. Private certificates and the inspection report go to leadsafe@cliftonnj.org. Clifton updated its code on January 20, 2026 to the three-year certificate and three-year first deadline in the 2024 state amendment.
The state rule Clifton follows
Every rented single-family home, two-family home and apartment in New Jersey built before 1978, in every town, unless an exemption applies. In two- and three-unit buildings the tenant-accessible common areas (halls, stairs, basements, laundry rooms) are inspected too. See the full New Jersey lead-safe certificate guide for exemptions, penalties and what to give tenants.
| What you need | When | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Lead-safe certificate (inspection) Get an inspection at each tenant turnover unless the unit already has an unexpired certificate, and at least every 3 years counted from the last inspection that produced a certificate. Since September 12, 2024, a new certificate is valid 3 years (it was 2). If hazards are found, the owner must fix them (interim controls or abatement) and pass a re-inspection (dust wipe after interim controls) before a certificate is issued. Many town ordinances and DCA web pages still say 2 years; use the expiration date printed on your certificate. | every 3 years; at each new tenant, if the last one is more than 3 years old; first deadline was July 22, 2025 | Town fee, set locally: among the largest NJ towns, from $40-$75 per unit when bundled with a rental CO inspection up to $600 per unit for a town dust wipe inspection; plus a $20 per unit state fee (Lead Hazard Control Assistance Fund) on every inspection, even if you hire your own inspector. Many towns add a $25-$100 filing fee for private certificates. |
| Give new tenant the certificate and tell the town At each tenant turnover, give the new tenant evidence of a valid lead-safe certificate and attach a copy to the lease as an exhibit. State rules also require owners to give the town the certificate at turnover and to report every tenant turnover to the town. Keep a record of each certificate with the names of tenants living there when the inspection was done. | before each new tenant moves in | - |
| Federal lead disclosure with each lease Federal EPA/HUD rule for pre-1978 housing: before a lease, give the 'Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home' pamphlet, disclose known lead paint and reports, include the Lead Warning Statement, and keep signed copies for 3 years. Exempt: leases of 100 days or less, 0-bedroom units, elderly/disabled housing (unless a child under 6 lives there), and certified lead-free housing. | before each new tenant moves in | - |
Keep every certificate on time
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Start my free binderQuestions Clifton landlords ask
How much is a lead-safe inspection in Clifton?
First city inspection (visual + dust wipe): $300 for a 1-bedroom unit + $30 per extra bedroom. Later city visual inspections: $150 (1 unit), $275 (2), $400 (3), $525 (4+ units at one property). $75 per unit re-inspection after a fail. $25 filing fee + $20 state fee per unit ($45 total to file a private certificate), per Clifton’s own published fee. State law also adds a $20 per-unit fee for the state Lead Hazard Control Assistance Fund unless the unit is certified lead-free. Fees change, so confirm with the town before you pay.
Who does lead inspections in Clifton?
Clifton Health Department lead inspector, or a DCA-certified lead evaluation contractor the owner hires
When does my Clifton rental need an inspection?
Under state law (as amended in September 2024), a pre-1978 rental needed its first lead-safe inspection at the first tenant turnover after July 22, 2022, or by July 22, 2025 at the latest. After that: every 3 years, and at any tenant turnover once the certificate has expired. A turnover while the certificate is still valid needs no new inspection. On the state’s 2025–26 list, Clifton is a visual inspection town.
Does Clifton have its own lead ordinance?
Clifton requires dust wipe sampling on the first inspection even though the state lists it as a visual town. The city mails owners a notice; you have 21 days (letter) or 30 days (code) to tell the Health Department whether you will use the city or a private inspector. Private certificates and the inspection report go to leadsafe@cliftonnj.org. Clifton updated its code on January 20, 2026 to the three-year certificate and three-year first deadline in the 2024 state amendment.
Last checked November 6, 2026.
This page sums up published rules as of November 6, 2026. It is not legal advice, and myleadsafe is not a government site. Rules and fees change, and local offices add their own steps, so confirm with Clifton before you rely on a date or a fee.
Sources (5)
- ecode360.com · Clifton Code Ch. 273 Art. IV, sec. 273-46 (amended 1-20-2026 by Ord. 8069-26): owner choice of city or private inspector within 30 days; visual + dust wipe; 3-year certificate; fee schedule; $25 filing + $20 state fee; $1,000/week penalty after 30 days
- cliftonnj.org · City letter: contact Clifton Health Department within 21 days; $45 filing fee per unit for existing certificates; email leadsafe@cliftonnj.org; subsequent visual inspection fees
- cliftonnj.org · City letter: $300 + $30/bedroom initial visual and dust wipe inspection; online payment link
- P.L.2024, c.74 (S3368) chapter law text · 3-year certificate validity; first inspection within three years of July 22, 2022; common areas in 2-3 unit buildings; two-most-recent-inspections exemption; owner may elect dust wipes; municipal list to DCA and annual DCA report; $20 fee; effective immediately, approved Sept. 12, 2024
- N.J.S.A. 52:27D-437.16 to -437.20 as posted by DCA (current through L.2025, c.152) · Current consolidated statute text incl. 3-year validity, penalties sec. 437.19 ($1,000/week after 30 days), no amendments after c.74 through L.2025 c.152