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Newark, NJ lead-safe certificate: fee, inspection and how to apply
Fee in Newark
City inspection fee set by the contract ordinance with the city's lead inspector (amount not in the code); $25 per unit to file a lead-safe or lead-free certificate; $20 per unit state fee per inspection, even if you hire a private inspector
Who inspects
Municipal Lead Inspector arranged through the city (Department of Health and Community Wellness), or the owner may hire a private DCA-certified lead evaluation contractor and file the certificate with the city
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
Essex County · population 311,549 (2020)
📌 Newark's ordinance (Art. 7, amended May 21, 2025) requires the owner to give the city written notice at least 20 days before a tenant turnover, and allows a fine of up to $300 per unit if you don't give the city inspector access at a scheduled visit. The ordinance still says certificates are valid two years, while state law now says three.
The state rule Newark 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 Newark landlords ask
How much is a lead-safe inspection in Newark?
City inspection fee set by the contract ordinance with the city's lead inspector (amount not in the code); $25 per unit to file a lead-safe or lead-free certificate; $20 per unit state fee per inspection, even if you hire a private inspector, per Newark’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 Newark?
Municipal Lead Inspector arranged through the city (Department of Health and Community Wellness), or the owner may hire a private DCA-certified lead evaluation contractor and file the certificate with the city
When does my Newark 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, Newark is a visual inspection town.
Does Newark have its own lead ordinance?
Newark's ordinance (Art. 7, amended May 21, 2025) requires the owner to give the city written notice at least 20 days before a tenant turnover, and allows a fine of up to $300 per unit if you don't give the city inspector access at a scheduled visit. The ordinance still says certificates are valid two years, while state law now says three.
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 Newark before you rely on a date or a fee.
Sources (4)
- ecode360.com · Newark Code Art. 7 (Rental Dwelling Lead Safe Certification): owner arranges inspection with Municipal Lead Inspector; 20-day turnover notice; $20 state fee per inspection per unit; $25 filing fee; up to $300 no-access fine; certificate valid two years per its definitions
- newarknj.gov · City of Newark FAQ for its Lead-Safe/Free Certificate Program
- 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