Updating Cleveland’s Lead-Safe Rental Regulations
Cleveland City Council is considering an emergency ordinance to overhaul the city's lead safety laws and rental certification processes. Introduced via File No. 1244-2026, the legislation seeks to replace existing sections of the city's housing and building codes with new regulations designed to improve how the city manages lead hazards in rental properties.
What's in the file
The ordinance proposes to repeal several existing sections of Chapter 365 and Chapter 240 of the Codified Ordinances and enact new sections (365.01 through 365.10 and 240.05 through 240.08) to strengthen the Lead Safe Certificate program. The stated rationale for these changes is that lead poisoning causes permanent injury to developing brains, noting that in 2025, 11.7% of Cleveland children tested had blood lead levels at or above the Ohio action level of 3.5 µg/dL.
Key provisions in the new proposed sections include:
- The establishment of new definitions for terms such as "Lead-Based Paint," "Lead Hazard," and "Gut Rehabilitation."
- Requirements for "Lead-Safe Certification," which confirms a residential rental unit built before January 1, 1978, has no identified lead hazards.
- Regulations for a "Local Agent in Charge," a person designated by a property owner to receive legal notices and manage the premises. If the owner is not a resident of Cuyahoga County or a contiguous county, the agent must reside within Cuyahoga County.
- The repeal of Section 7 of Ordinance No. 747-2019.
The ordinance builds upon the foundation of the 2019 Lead Safe Certificate requirement, which made Cleveland one of the few American cities to require proof of lead safety before a unit is rented.
Who may be affected
- Property owners of pre-1978 rental units, who must provide documentation to the Director of Public Health to obtain certification.
- Tenants of rental properties, particularly those living in older housing stock.
- The Director of Building and Housing, who is named as the "Director" responsible for oversight.
- Local Agents in Charge, who must accept responsibility for the maintenance and management of rental units.
Status and timeline
The ordinance is currently in the following stage:
- October 9, 2026: The emergency ordinance was introduced and received its first reading.
Residents can verify the details of this legislation by reviewing the official record for File No. 1244-2026 through the Cleveland City Council website.
Source record
- File
- 1244-2026
- Type
- Emergency Ordinance
- Status
- First Reading
- Committee
- City Council
- 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