City of Cleveland publishes lead safe certificate zip code map

Posted by Rob Curry

On May 30, 2020 the Building & Housing Department published its draft zip code map. This map is subject to change.

The City is divided into eight (8) zones, by zip code. Rental property owners of homes built before 1978 located in Zone 1 will need to obtain a lead safe certificate on or before March 1, 2021. Every 3 months, the owners with properties located in the next zone will need to obtain the certificate. This 8 quarters / 8 zones cycle will repeat starting March 1, 2023.

To obtain the lead safe certificate, owners must provide to the City a clearance examination (or lead risk assessment) that shows that no lead hazards were identified in the unit. Inspections will be performed by private Ohio-certified professionals that are hired by the property owner. The author of this blog also provides lead-safe advisory services to assist owners to identify problem areas and think through strategies to make their individual properties lead-safe. Rob Curry is an Ohio Health Department-licensed Risk Assessor (including Clearance Exams) - License # LA9514.

Lead safe certificates need to be renewed every two years. According to the Building & Housing Department, notification will be sent to rental property owners approximately 3 months before the certificate is required, and no fee will be charged for these certificates.