Pursuant to N.J.A.C 5:28A-2.4, lead-safe certificates are issued to properties that are found to not have interior lead-based paint hazards after undergoing periodic inspection. This includes the unit itself and common areas, such as hallways or entrances.
Pursuant to NJ A.C. 5:17-3.6(b), a lead-free certificate is issued to properties that have no lead-based paint on any surface within the unit, common area, or building.
Also outlined in NJ A.C. 5:17 is lead-hazard free certification, which does not meet the ordinance requirements as per the exemption guidelines in N.J.A.C. 5:28A-1.3(b). After inspection and risk assessment, properties can be deemed “lead-hazard free” in the absence of any condition that causes exposure to lead (i.e. lead-contaminated dust, soil, or paint).
Princeton’s municipal inspectors have the training and authority to issue lead-safe certificates, valid for (2) years. Obtaining a lead-free certificate from a certified lead evaluation contractor would exempt a property from the inspections under this ordinance and is valid for life. Lead-hazard free certification does not meet the requirements for exemption. Such properties would still need to be inspected to obtain a lead-safe certificate every (2) years.
Summary of Lead Certificates
| Lead Safe | Lead-Free | Lead-Hazard Free |
---|
Definition | Property does not have interior lead-based paint hazards at periodic inspection | Property is completely free of lead paint | Property does not have conditions that can cause lead exposure (i.e. contaminated dust, soil, paint) |
Meets ordinance requirements?
| YES | YES | NO |
How to Obtain | Request inspection from municipal inspector OR hire a certified lead evaluation contractor. | Hire a certified lead evaluation contractor. |
|
Method of Inspection | Visual assessment or dust wipe sampling | XRF Machine (identifies the presence of lead paint) |
|
Valid for... | 2 years | Life (exempt from lead-safe inspections) | NOT valid for this ordinance, property subject to inspection every (2) years |