Important Update
On Friday, Oct.11, 2024, Mayor Justin M. Bibb announced that the city will focus its lead poisoning prevention resources on risk assessment, abatement and expedited removal of lead hazards in order to protect Cleveland’s children from lead poisoning.
The announcement comes following the release of Cleveland Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) most recent data brief, which shows progress on lowering lead poisoning rates in Cleveland has stagnated.
What You Need To Know
- Cleveland Department of Public Health | October 2024 Data Brief on Lead
- News release Mayor Bibb calls for accelerated progress, pathways to abatement to reduce childhood lead poisonings across Cleveland
- Executive Order 2024-03 - Accelerating Progress Toward Fewer Lead Poisonings
- Memo to landlords in the City of Cleveland from the Director of Building and Housing
Mission Statement
To assure that all existing and new structures in the City of Cleveland are maintained and constructed in a safe and habitable manner through enforcement of the Building and Zoning Codes, pursuant to the review of plans, issuance of permits and inspection of property.
Lead Certification the Importance of Lead Safe Living
Lead is a neurotoxin that adversely impacts human health. It is particularly dangerous to children and cause developmental delays and impediments that result in significantly reduced academic performance, increased juvenile justice involvement, and other lifelong consequences. Because of the age of Cleveland’s housing stock and the disinvestment in it, children growing up in Cleveland are particularly susceptible to lead poisoning and its negative consequences. Recognizing this, Cleveland City Council in 2019 passed legislation that requires owners of rental property in the City to prove that their dwelling units are safe from lead hazards.
How to Certify Your Property
Property owners or their agents must engage an independent contractor to perform a lead inspection on their property. The Lead Safe Ordinance allows for two types of inspection: either a Lead Clearance Examination or a Lead Risk Assessment Inspection. It is up to the property owner and their service provider to determine the most suitable inspection type for their property. Following inspection, the inspection report along with the Lead Safe Certificate Application form (see Resources below) must be submitted to the City of Cleveland Department of Building and Housing.
Application packets may be submitted via email to LeadCertCLE@Clevelandohio.gov or via postal mail to:
City of Cleveland
Department of Building and Housing
Division of Records Administration
601 Lakeside Avenue E., Rm 517
Cleveland, Ohio 44114.
Applications must be submitted (email send date or postmarked) no later than 90 days after the inspection date. Email submissions are preferred.
There is no fee for application and certification must be renewed every two years from the date of initial certification.
Lead Certification Roll out Schedule by Zip Code
| 44120, 44135 | March 31, 2021 |
| 44106, 44111 | June 30, 2021 |
| 44102, 44142 | September 30, 2021 |
| 44110, 44113, 44107, 44130 | December 31, 2021 |
| 44103, 44144, 44128, 44119, 44129 | March 31, 2022 |
| 44104, 44108, 44114, 44134, 44117, 44131 | June 30, 2022 |
| 44109, 44127, 44115 | September 30, 2022 |
| 44125, 44112, 44105, 44121, 44122, 44118 | December 31, 2022 |
As of January 1, 2023 all rental properties that have not complied with the LSC Legislation would be subject to fines and/or prosecution.
Need Help?
This is a new process for our landlord community and our residents alike. In recognition of this, the City of Cleveland has worked diligently with numerous non-profit and other community partners to provide a plethora of financial and other resources. We encourage you to consult the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition Website (see Resources below) for guidance on how to obtain financial assistance, how to find a contractor, how to ensure your home remains lead safe and other questions you may have around lead safe practices. You can also access a database of state certified lead safe service providers through the Ohio Department of Health website (see Resources below).
By ordinance, all residential rental property in the City of Cleveland must be registered with the Department of Building and Housing. The registration MUST be renewed annually. To check the status of or to renew a registration and to register a property for the first time under a new owner, please visit our Rental Registration portal.
For questions regarding the process of obtaining your Lead Safe Certificate, contact the City directly by phone at 216.664.2274 or by email to LeadCertCLE@Clevelandohio.gov