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

$300 for first unit inspected + $150 per additional unit (same-day scheduling) for standard lead inspection request; 5-year certificate of inspection fee $400 (duplicate $50); dust wipe sampling (N.J.A.C. 5:28A-2.1) $200/unit; certificate of exemption $150/unit (duplicate $50); no-entry/re-inspection fee equals original application fee (all separate from mandatory $20/unit state DCA fee)

Paterson City lead-safe certification for rentals (2026)

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

Dust-wipe sampling. Run by City of Paterson Division of Health, Environmental Health Program, 176 Broadway; local ordinance (Ch. 351, last amended 5-20-2025 by Ord. 25-015 and 10-10-2023 by Ord. 23-054) describes inspections performed only by Division of Health-employed lead inspectors/risk assessors and does not on its face mention landlords hiring their own DCA-certified contractor, though state law generally permits that option; the 5-year 'certificate of inspection' (re-rental housing cert) is a distinct local credential from the 2-year dust-wipe lead-safe certificate

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

Summary

Inspection method: Dust-wipe sampling (state 2025-26 list: "Dust Wipe Sampling")
Who inspects: Municipal inspector
Municipal fee: $300 for first unit inspected + $150 per additional unit (same-day scheduling) for standard lead inspection request; 5-year certificate of inspection fee $400 (duplicate $50); dust wipe sampling (N.J.A.C. 5:28A-2.1) $200/unit; certificate of exemption $150/unit (duplicate $50); no-entry/re-inspection fee equals original application fee (all separate from mandatory $20/unit state DCA fee)
Registration: yes - separate Property Registration ordinance (Chapter 371) exists for Paterson rental properties apart from the lead-paint chapter (Ch. 351)
Contact phone: 973-321-1277 (also 973-321-1246)
Program / contact page: https://www.patersonnjhealth.gov/department/division.php?structureid=47
Research completeness: filled
Last verified: 2026-09-23

Notes

Run by City of Paterson Division of Health, Environmental Health Program, 176 Broadway; local ordinance (Ch. 351, last amended 5-20-2025 by Ord. 25-015 and 10-10-2023 by Ord. 23-054) describes inspections performed only by Division of Health-employed lead inspectors/risk assessors and does not on its face mention landlords hiring their own DCA-certified contractor, though state law generally permits that option; the 5-year 'certificate of inspection' (re-rental housing cert) is a distinct local credential from the 2-year dust-wipe lead-safe certificate

Statewide 3-year certification rule applies here too

Regardless of Paterson 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

Paterson'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.