Council to introduce lead-paint inspection ordinance for rental properties; inspections required by July

Pompton Lakes officials presented a draft ordinance April 24 to implement New Jersey’s 2022 law governing lead-based paint inspections for rental dwellings constructed before 1978.

Borough staff said the ordinance establishes an inspection program for applicable rental units; property owners may hire a third-party certified inspector or use the borough’s inspector. The draft ordinance sets a proposed borough-inspector fee of $550 and a $20 borough administrative fee; staff said the higher borough fee is intended to incentivize owners to obtain third-party inspections, and that the borough will evaluate costs to ensure the program is revenue-neutral. The inspections must be completed by July 22, 2024, and the borough will provide notification packets to affected owners.

Council agreed to place the draft ordinance on the agenda for introduction on May 8 and asked staff to refine fee tables and implementation details prior to introduction.

What owners should know: the requirement applies to rental units constructed or occupied before 1978; the property owner is responsible for compliance and associated costs, and re-certification is required every three years and upon change of occupancy under the state rule.