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Jersey City, NJ lead-safe certificate: fee, inspection and how to apply
Fee in Jersey City
$200 per unit (non-refundable) when the city inspects, plus $20 per unit state fee
Who inspects
City Division of Housing Preservation, or the owner may hire a DCA-certified lead evaluation contractor
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
Hudson County · population 292,449 (2020)
📌 Covered properties must register with the Division of Housing Preservation (Code sec. 254-81). Apply through the city permit portal with the 'Lead-Based Paint Inspection' application, or upload a private certificate or exemption proof through the 'Certified Lead Evaluation Registration' application; both need an owner affidavit. The city page still describes the old two-year initial deadline.
The state rule Jersey City 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
myleadsafe is a free binder for small landlords: each unit’s certificates, registrations and due dates, calendar reminders before they run out, and one PDF packet with your proof attached. No sign-up. Your records stay on your device.
Start my free binderQuestions Jersey City landlords ask
How much is a lead-safe inspection in Jersey City?
$200 per unit (non-refundable) when the city inspects, plus $20 per unit state fee, per Jersey City’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 Jersey City?
City Division of Housing Preservation, or the owner may hire a DCA-certified lead evaluation contractor
When does my Jersey City 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, Jersey City is a visual inspection town.
Does Jersey City have its own lead ordinance?
Covered properties must register with the Division of Housing Preservation (Code sec. 254-81). Apply through the city permit portal with the 'Lead-Based Paint Inspection' application, or upload a private certificate or exemption proof through the 'Certified Lead Evaluation Registration' application; both need an owner affidavit. The city page still describes the old two-year initial deadline.
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 Jersey City before you rely on a date or a fee.
Sources (5)
- jerseycitynj.gov · Division of Housing Preservation runs inspections (Ord. 23-018); permit portal applications; owners may hire their own contractor; affidavit required
- cityofjerseycity.civicweb.net · Ord. 26-072 reprints current Sec. 160-1 X(4) (as amended by Ord. 24-066, 9-11-2024): $200.00 per unit non-refundable inspection fee plus $20 per unit state fee
- cityofjerseycity.civicweb.net · Ord. 23-018: lead registration requirement, Sec. 254-81
- 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