New Jersey Lead-Safe Certification, Explained and Booked in 48 Hours
Every pre-1978 rental in Hoboken & Hudson County needs a lead-safe certificate. Here's what the law actually requires, and a NJ-certified inspector when you're ready to book.
August 27, 2026
Under P.L. 2021, c.182, every New Jersey rental unit built before 1978 must pass a lead-based paint inspection. The first deadline was July 22, 2024 or tenant turnover, whichever came first; after that, inspections repeat every three years or at each turnover. A passing unit receives a lead-safe certificate valid for two years. In Hoboken and most of Hudson County, the required method is a visual inspection.
Penalty after the 30-day cure period. §437.19
Certificate validity. No turnover inspection while it's current. N.J.A.C. 5:28A
Re-inspection cycle, or at each tenant turnover. P.L. 2021, c.182
Requirements by municipality
| Municipality | Method (DCA) | Fee per unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoboken | Visual | $125–$200 + $20 state | By bedroom count (Ch. 125); book ≥24h ahead |
| Jersey City | Visual | $200 + $20 state | Non-refundable; re-inspection $25 |
| Bayonne | Visual | $250 + $25 city + $20 state | City hires the contractor; re-inspection $295 |
| Union City | Visual | $120 or $220, state fee included | Owner pays tenant relocation |
| North Bergen | Visual | $20 state; no local fee published | Inspections contracted out |
| Weehawken | Visual | $20 state; none in the code | Abatement permit $140 is separate |
| West New York | Visual | $20 state; none in the code | No lead chapter in the code |
Fees read from each municipal code, section by section. Twelve towns, including the five without their own page, are in the full table.
Full Hudson County requirements table → · Inspection cost in Hudson County
How it works
Tell us the address, number of units, and the date of your last certificate, if any.
A NJ DOH-certified inspector performs the visual inspection, usually 30–60 minutes per unit.
Your lead-safe certificate is filed with the municipality and stays valid for two years.
Bulk pricing for portfolios, a 48-hour SLA, one invoice per portfolio, and certificates of insurance on request.
Common questions
Yes, if the unit was built before 1978 and isn't exempt. The first inspection was due by July 22, 2024 or at turnover, whichever came first.
Two years. While it's current, no new inspection is needed at tenant turnover.
After notice, you get 30 days to comply; then fines of up to $1,000 per week.
Visual. Every Hudson County municipality on the DCA method list is a visual-inspection town, Hoboken and Jersey City included.
Possibly. Exemptions cover units built in 1978 or later, certified lead-free, a seasonal rental under 6 months, or a DCA-registered multiple dwelling with 10+ clean years.
Lead-safe (visual pass) lasts 2 years; lead-free (XRF testing) never expires. Compare the two.