Local Law · Housing
Lead paint: Local Law 1 & Local Law 31
In older residential buildings, NYC presumes lead paint is present and puts strict duties on owners — annual inspections where young children live, XRF testing of every unit, and safe remediation at turnover.
What the lead-paint laws require
Under Local Law 1 of 2004 (and expanded by Local Law 31 of 2020), NYC presumes lead-based paint in the residential units and common areas of multiple dwellings built before 1960 (and 1960–1978 where lead is known). Owners must: inquire annually whether a child under 6 lives in each unit; inspect those units annually for lead hazards; remediate hazards and deteriorated paint using safe work practices; and, under LL31, complete XRF testing of every unit to identify lead paint (the citywide deadline was August 9, 2025).
Turnover and safe work
At every unit turnover, owners must remediate lead hazards and make the unit lead-safe. Work that disturbs paint must follow lead-safe work practices by trained workers; unsafe disturbance is itself a violation.
How to comply
- Send and document the annual notice asking whether a child under 6 resides in each unit.
- Inspect those units annually and at turnover.
- Complete XRF testing of all units and keep the records.
- Remediate hazards promptly with certified, lead-safe contractors.
Common mistakes
- Not documenting the annual notice and response — the paperwork is part of compliance.
- Using untrained workers for paint disturbance, creating new violations.
Reviewed against current NYC agency guidance by the NYC Building Compliance editorial team. Found something out of date? Tell us. Informational only — not legal or engineering advice.
Frequently asked questions
Which NYC buildings are presumed to have lead paint?
Residential units and common areas in multiple dwellings built before 1960 (and 1960–1978 where lead is known) are presumed to contain lead-based paint.
What did Local Law 31 add?
XRF testing of every dwelling unit to identify lead-based paint, with a citywide completion deadline of August 9, 2025.
What triggers the annual lead inspection?
A child under six living in the unit triggers annual inspection duties, along with remediation at turnover.
Need help handling this?
Tell us about your building and we’ll connect you with a certified lead-abatement / XRF firm who works on NYC compliance — no cost to ask.
Get connected →NYC Building Compliance is an independent resource, not a law or engineering firm. We help owners and managers find the right professional.
See if this applies to your building — and every other obligation.
Run your compliance profile →Primary sources
NYC Building Compliance is an independent resource, not the City of New York. Rules and dollar amounts change — always confirm against the official pages above or a licensed professional before acting.