Typical cost to obtain a lead safe cerficate

[Ben Clinger]

The city of Toledo, OH is proposing a new "lead safe" ordinance which would affect rental properties with 4 or fewer units.

Proponents of the bill are expecting about a $50 / year cost per unit per year ($150 for dust wipes every four years plus a $50 admin fee to register with the city.

As an owner-occupier of a duplex built in 1912, I was wondering if anyone from places where similar ordinances were passed (Rochester, NY, and Baltimore, MD among others) could share their experiences.

I have heard that tearing out wood windows is about the only way to pass them due the friction of the window to the jamb creating small amounts of dust which causes them to fail the dust test, and I have 90 windows in my house that I don't want to get rid of.

I have also heard that there needs to be a lot of time consuming prep work that needs to be done immediately before the inspection occurs.

What will be the expected real costs for this ordinance? Toledo is already a dying city, and this added burden may be enough to force even more capital to flee from it.