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Hamilton, NJ lead-safe certificate: fee, inspection and how to apply
Fee in Hamilton
Township-arranged dust wipe inspection: $475 single-family, $520 two-family, $565 three-family, $610 four-family (per dwelling, Ord. 23-014), plus $20 per unit state fee; if you hire your own contractor you pay only the $20 state fee to the township
Who inspects
DCA-certified lead evaluation contractor hired by the township, or one the owner hires directly; certificates go to the Housing Division
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
Mercer County · population 92,297 (2020)
📌 Hamilton's township notice says the first inspection was due at first turnover or by July 2025 and that lead-safe certificates are valid three years, matching the 2024 state amendment. The township ordinance (Code 268-19 et seq., effective April 25, 2023) still has the older two-year timetable. Fee amounts are from the 2023 ordinance and may have been updated since.
The state rule Hamilton 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 Hamilton landlords ask
How much is a lead-safe inspection in Hamilton?
Township-arranged dust wipe inspection: $475 single-family, $520 two-family, $565 three-family, $610 four-family (per dwelling, Ord. 23-014), plus $20 per unit state fee; if you hire your own contractor you pay only the $20 state fee to the township, per Hamilton’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 Hamilton?
DCA-certified lead evaluation contractor hired by the township, or one the owner hires directly; certificates go to the Housing Division
When does my Hamilton 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, Hamilton is a visual inspection town.
Does Hamilton have its own lead ordinance?
Hamilton's township notice says the first inspection was due at first turnover or by July 2025 and that lead-safe certificates are valid three years, matching the 2024 state amendment. The township ordinance (Code 268-19 et seq., effective April 25, 2023) still has the older two-year timetable. Fee amounts are from the 2023 ordinance and may have been updated since.
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 Hamilton before you rely on a date or a fee.
Sources (4)
- ecode360.com · Ord. 23-014 adding Code 268-19 et seq.: owner obtains inspection; owner may hire DCA contractor and pay only $20 state fee; township contractor dust wipe costs $475-$610 per dwelling; certificate copy to Housing Division
- hamiltonnj.com · Housing Inspections & Landlord Compliance Office notice: township contractor or owner-hired contractor; initial inspection by July 2025; certificates valid 3 years; tenant must sign certificate at renewal; fines up to $1,000 per unit per week
- 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