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

Municipal Inspector fee schedule (Trenton Code §132-135, amended Ord. 25-01): 1BR $350, 2BR $400, 3BR $450, 4BR $500, 5+BR $600, re-inspection (any size) $300; plus $50 Lead Safe Certification filing fee + mandatory $20/unit state fee. If landlord hires own DCA-certified contractor instead, city charges only the $20/unit state fee, no additional municipal inspection fee

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

Either (municipality or owner-hired contractor)

Trenton City lead-safe certification for rentals (2026)

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

Dust-wipe sampling. Trenton's own fee ordinance table is labeled "Cost of Visual Lead Inspection" (§132-135) even though §132-137 mandates dust-wipe sampling because Trenton was designated a high-blood-lead-level municipality -- a possible drafting inconsistency in the town code worth flagging. Municipal Inspector = Trenton Housing Official, Health Officer, or designee; town retains oversight/can bar owner-hired contractors after a conflict of interest or prior noncompliance

Mercer 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: Either (municipality or owner-hired contractor)
Municipal fee: Municipal Inspector fee schedule (Trenton Code §132-135, amended Ord. 25-01): 1BR $350, 2BR $400, 3BR $450, 4BR $500, 5+BR $600, re-inspection (any size) $300; plus $50 Lead Safe Certification filing fee + mandatory $20/unit state fee. If landlord hires own DCA-certified contractor instead, city charges only the $20/unit state fee, no additional municipal inspection fee
Registration: yes: Absentee Owner licensing / Certificate of Registration program for non-owner-occupied rentals (Truth-in-Renting filing with City Clerk or DCA Bureau of Housing Inspection for 3+ unit buildings), separate from the lead-safe inspection ordinance
Contact phone: 609-989-3563
Program / contact page: https://www.trentonnj.org/237/Landlords-Tenants
Research completeness: filled
Last verified: 2026-09-23

Notes

Trenton's own fee ordinance table is labeled "Cost of Visual Lead Inspection" (§132-135) even though §132-137 mandates dust-wipe sampling because Trenton was designated a high-blood-lead-level municipality -- a possible drafting inconsistency in the town code worth flagging. Municipal Inspector = Trenton Housing Official, Health Officer, or designee; town retains oversight/can bar owner-hired contractors after a conflict of interest or prior noncompliance

Statewide 3-year certification rule applies here too

Regardless of Trenton 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

Trenton'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.