Lead-safe rental ordinance receives committee recommendation
The Health, Human Services and the Arts Committee recommended for approval an emergency ordinance to overhaul Cleveland's lead safety laws on 2026-10-19. This action moves File No. 1244-2026 forward following our earlier coverage on 2026-10-10 regarding the proposed updates to rental certification and housing codes.
What's in the file
The legislation seeks to repeal several existing sections of Chapter 365 and 240 of the Codified Ordinances and replace them with new regulations for the Lead Safe Certificate program. According to the 1244-2026 Ord. Repeal and enact Chapter 365 and var sec in 240 re lead safe certificate, the changes are intended to improve the "effectiveness, strength, and administrability" of lead-safety requirements.
The ordinance includes several stated rationales for the overhaul:
- To address lead poisoning, which the record notes causes permanent injury to the developing brain.
- To respond to 2025 data showing 11.7% of Cleveland children tested had blood lead levels at or above Ohio's 3.5 µg/dL action level.
- To provide a housing solution for the roughly nine in ten Cleveland homes built before 1978.
The new sections establish updated definitions for terms like "Lead Hazard" and "Lead-Safe Certification," and outline requirements for a "Local Agent in Charge" who is authorized to receive notices of violation and manage residential rental units on behalf of an owner.
Status and timeline
- 2026-10-09: Introduced.
- 2026-10-19: Health, Human Services and the Arts Committee recommended for approval.
Residents can verify the details of this legislation by reviewing the official record for File No. 1244-2026 on the Cleveland City Council website.
Source record
- File
- 1244-2026
- Type
- Emergency Ordinance
- Status
- In Committee
- Committee
- Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
- Introduced
- October 8, 2026
Official documents
- 1244-2026 Legislative Summary
- 1244-2026 Redlined Changes
- 1244-2026 Ord. Repeal and enact Chapter 365 and var sec in 240 re lead safe certificate
- 1244-2026 PRESENTATION
- 1244-2026 Amend 1244-2026
- 1244-2026-as amended-desk copy-Final