Which lead inspection method does my NJ town require?

New Jersey assigns each municipality either Visual Inspection or Dust-Wipe Sampling for pre-1978 rental units under P.L. 2021, c.182. 513 towns currently require visual inspection and 51 require dust-wipe sampling. Search the full list on this page or check the official DCA municipal listing.

What is the difference between visual inspection and dust-wipe sampling?

A visual inspection checks for deteriorated or damaged paint. Dust-wipe sampling collects surface dust from floors and windowsills for laboratory lead testing, and is required in municipalities where 3% or more of tested children age 6 and under have elevated blood lead levels.

Which rentals need a NJ lead-safe inspection?

Rental units built before 1978, at tenant turnover or at least every 3 years. Exemptions include buildings built 1978 or later, units certified lead-free, and seasonal rentals occupied less than 6 months per year.

P.L. 2021, c.182 · Pre-1978 rentals · 564 municipalities

Which lead-safe inspection method does your NJ town require?

New Jersey's lead-safe law requires periodic lead-based paint inspections of most pre-1978 rental units — and each municipality is assigned one of two methods. Search your town below.

Find your town

Need help or have questions? We do lead-safe inspections across New Jersey and are happy to point you the right way — Smart Choice Inspections · (973) 500-3233. No pressure — the official sources below have everything too.

The two methods

Visual Inspection

513

Where under 3% of tested children have elevated blood lead

A certified inspector visually checks the unit for deteriorated, chipping, or damaged paint.

Dust-Wipe Sampling

Where 3% or more of tested children have elevated blood lead

The stricter method: surface dust is collected from floors and windowsills and lab-tested for lead.

The state re-evaluates assignments as new childhood blood-lead data comes in.

Browse by county

Open a county for its towns

Atlantic County23 towns2 dust-wipe

Bergen County70 towns2 dust-wipe

Burlington County40 towns6 dust-wipe

Camden County36 towns4 dust-wipe

Cape May County16 towns2 dust-wipe

Cumberland County14 towns3 dust-wipe

Essex County22 towns4 dust-wipe

Gloucester County24 towns2 dust-wipe

Hudson County12 townsall visual

Hunterdon County26 towns4 dust-wipe

Mercer County12 towns1 dust-wipe

Middlesex County25 townsall visual

Monmouth County53 towns3 dust-wipe

Morris County39 townsall visual

Ocean County33 townsall visual

Passaic County16 towns2 dust-wipe

Salem County15 towns6 dust-wipe

Somerset County21 towns3 dust-wipe

Sussex County24 towns2 dust-wipe

Union County21 towns1 dust-wipe

Warren County22 towns4 dust-wipe

What the law requires

The quick version

01 · WHO

Rentals built before 1978

Single-family, two-family, and apartments. Common exemptions: built 1978 or later, certified lead-free, seasonal rentals occupied under 6 months a year.

02 · WHEN

Turnover, or every 3 years

Inspection at tenant turnover or at least every 3 years, whichever comes first.

03 · HOW

Your town's assigned method

Visual inspection in most municipalities; dust-wipe sampling where childhood blood-lead levels run higher.

04 · PROOF

Lead-safe certification

The landlord must obtain a lead-safe certification (valid 3 years) or a permanent lead-free certificate.

Official sources

NJ DCA — Lead-Based Paint Inspections overview — guidance, forms, certified contractors
Official municipal listing (PDF) — the state's authoritative method assignment per town

Checking a specific property?

Run the address for permits, flood zone, fire history and this town's lead-safe requirement in one free report.

Open Permit & Parcel

Informational summary of P.L. 2021, c.182 (N.J.A.C. 5:28A) — not legal advice. Method data verified town-by-town against the official state listing on August 14, 2026 — all 564 municipalities match; the linked DCA sources are authoritative. Built by Permit & Parcel, oprasearch.app.