What does lead-safe certification cost in New Brunswick City, NJ?

City ordinance (O-042306) sets a $100 filing fee for lead-safe/lead-free certification (charged when scheduling with a City contractor, or paid to City at filing if done by an outside inspector), plus the mandatory $20/unit state fee. Actual inspection/contractor cost is separate and market-rate; city's own worked example totals (incl. a $400/unit example contractor rate + $100 filing + $20 state) were: 1 unit $520, 2 units $940, 3 units $1,360, 4 units $1,780, 10 units $4,300, 50 units $21,100.

Who inspects rental units for lead-safe certification in New Brunswick City?

Either (municipality or owner-hired contractor)

New Brunswick City lead-safe certification for rentals (2026)

Q: What lead-safe inspection method does New Brunswick City use?

Visual assessment. Per Chapter 15.80 of the city code, the owner/landlord may directly hire a private DCA-certified lead inspector, or inspections are performed by one of the City's designated lead inspection agencies/contractors (named approved vendors found elsewhere include Bayhill Environmental, LEW Environmental, Side by Side, MRO LLC, and Whitman). Penalty for non-compliance is up to $1,000/week after a 30-day cure period. Note: the 2023 ordinance text states lead-safe certification is valid for 'two (2) years,' which appears to predate/conflict with the statewide 3-year validity period noted in the background (P.L.2024, c.74 amendment) - worth flagging as potentially outdated local ordinance language.

Middlesex County — lead-safe rental certification under P.L.2021, c.182, as amended by P.L.2024, c.74.

Summary

Inspection method: Visual assessment (state 2025-26 list: "Visual Inspection")
Who inspects: Either (municipality or owner-hired contractor)
Municipal fee: City ordinance (O-042306) sets a $100 filing fee for lead-safe/lead-free certification (charged when scheduling with a City contractor, or paid to City at filing if done by an outside inspector), plus the mandatory $20/unit state fee. Actual inspection/contractor cost is separate and market-rate; city's own worked example totals (incl. a $400/unit example contractor rate + $100 filing + $20 state) were: 1 unit $520, 2 units $940, 3 units $1,360, 4 units $1,780, 10 units $4,300, 50 units $21,100.
Registration: yes - a separate, broader Rent Control Ordinance requires annual registration of all regulated rental units by April 1 ($50/unit registration fee for 2026)
Contact phone: Not on file — check the ordinance
Program / contact page: https://www.cityofnewbrunswick.org/residents/departments/clerk_s_office/lead_inspections.php
Research completeness: filled
Last verified: 2026-09-23

Notes

Per Chapter 15.80 of the city code, the owner/landlord may directly hire a private DCA-certified lead inspector, or inspections are performed by one of the City's designated lead inspection agencies/contractors (named approved vendors found elsewhere include Bayhill Environmental, LEW Environmental, Side by Side, MRO LLC, and Whitman). Penalty for non-compliance is up to $1,000/week after a 30-day cure period. Note: the 2023 ordinance text states lead-safe certification is valid for 'two (2) years,' which appears to predate/conflict with the statewide 3-year validity period noted in the background (P.L.2024, c.74 amendment) - worth flagging as potentially outdated local ordinance language.

Statewide 3-year certification rule applies here too

Regardless of New Brunswick City's specific process above, the certificate itself is valid three years statewide (P.L.2024, c.74) — not the two years some older DCA guidance still states. See the lead-safe hub for the full statewide timeline, deadlines, and landlord checklist.

Sources

New Brunswick's rent control page →

Email me before my lead-safe certificate expires

We'll send a one-time confirmation email first (double opt-in) — no reminder is sent until you click the link in it. There's no scheduled reminder sender wired up yet on our end beyond that confirmation, so treat this as staking a place in line; see the disclaimer below.

Municipality

Certificate issue date (optional)

Number of units (optional)

This page is informational, not legal advice, and does not review your specific situation. NJ Rent Control is an independent reference site, not a law firm or a government agency. Confirm current requirements with your municipality's code enforcement or health office, and consult a licensed New Jersey attorney about your rights or obligations.