If you’re fixing, painting, or doing any work that disturbs old paint in a building, you may need a special Lead-Based Paint Permit.

CUSTOMER NOTICE: You can now apply for your permit online and get it right away. Visit our Online Permit Portal to apply, pay, and get your permit. If your building was built before 1978, new rules may apply. Read below before you start!

Before you Start

You must upload a Lead Abatement Work Plan when you apply for a building permit. This plan shows how you’ll safely handle lead-based paint. 

If your project has a Lead Risk Assessment (a report about the dangers of lead), upload that too. 

If your project disturbs paint and you don’t have a permit and don’t submit the plan, or say there’s no paint disturbance when there is, the city will stop your work. 

Ready to get started? Register at the Online Permit Center. Watch our Planning & Building Video Tutorials if you need help. 

Permit Requirements

When Are Permits Required?

Per the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP Rule), you need a permit if the project disturbs paint on all buildings that were built before 1978 such as: 


Sanding 
Removing or damaging paint 
Pressure washing 
Any work where paint is scraped or chipped 

This includes: 


Painting only 
Projects with a building permit 
Washing old buildings (built before 1978) 


When You Don’t Need a Permit 

According to the EPA’s RRP Rule, these types of work are exempt: 

Minor Work 


Inside: disturbing less than 6 square feet of lead-based paint in one room 
Outside: disturbing less than 20 square feet 
Note: These rules don’t apply to windows—window work always needs safety steps 

Lead-Free Homes 


Homes built after 1978 usually don’t have lead paint 
These homes don’t need an LBP permit 

Emergency Repairs 


If something breaks (like a pipe or roof), you can fix it right away 
You still need to clean up safely after the repair and apply for a building permit 

DIY Projects 


If you own and live in the home, you can do the work yourself 
Friends and family helping for free are okay 
The home must be owner-occupied 

Projects Where Paint Won’t Be Touched 


If you paint over old paint without sanding or scraping 
Adding new walls or siding without disturbing old paint 

What Must Be Included in a Lead Abatement Work Plan?

Your Lead Abatement Work Plan must include: 


How you will remove or control the lead 
How you will contain dust and paint chips 
How you’ll throw away the lead materials 
The name of the company doing the work 
A plan to move tenants if needed 
Anything else the city asks for