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

Inspection fee amount not fixed by ordinance; City charges a fee "sufficient to cover the cost" of using its Municipal Lead Inspector, set via a separate service-agreement ordinance (amount not published). Separate $25/unit administrative fee for filing a lead-safe/lead-free certification (Newark Code §16:3-20.6d), plus the mandatory $20/unit state fee.

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

Either (municipality or owner-hired contractor)

Newark City lead-safe certification for rentals (2026)

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

Visual assessment. Newark's own ordinance (§16:3-20.2d) requires ALL periodic lead inspections be performed via dust-wipe sampling, not visual inspection - this contradicts the state-assigned "Visual Inspection" method given for this town. Landlord may hire own DCA-certified lead evaluation contractor instead of the Municipal Lead Inspector, unless the City restricts this due to a prior failure to complete an inspection or a conflict of interest.

Essex 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: Inspection fee amount not fixed by ordinance; City charges a fee "sufficient to cover the cost" of using its Municipal Lead Inspector, set via a separate service-agreement ordinance (amount not published). Separate $25/unit administrative fee for filing a lead-safe/lead-free certification (Newark Code §16:3-20.6d), plus the mandatory $20/unit state fee.
Registration: Yes - Newark Code has a separate Chapter 18:17, "Rental Property Registration" ordinance apart from the lead-safe law
Contact phone: 973-733-5323 (Lead Inspection Hotline); 973-733-8787 (Dept. of Health & Community Wellness, Newark Lead Hazard Reduction Program)
Program / contact page: https://www.newarknj.gov/Directory.aspx?did=21
Research completeness: filled
Last verified: 2026-09-23

Notes

Newark's own ordinance (§16:3-20.2d) requires ALL periodic lead inspections be performed via dust-wipe sampling, not visual inspection - this contradicts the state-assigned "Visual Inspection" method given for this town. Landlord may hire own DCA-certified lead evaluation contractor instead of the Municipal Lead Inspector, unless the City restricts this due to a prior failure to complete an inspection or a conflict of interest.

Statewide 3-year certification rule applies here too

Regardless of Newark 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

Newark'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.

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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.