If your rental was built before 1978, it may need a lead-safe certificate under Cleveland Heights' phased lead-safe program. We handle the licensed lead risk assessment the city needs, scheduled fast and reported right.
Licensed Ohio risk assessor | Serving all of Northeast Ohio | Fast turnaround
Cleveland Heights is rolling its lead-safe program out in phases. If these three things are true, your property may be covered.
The unit is presumed to contain lead-based paint under the ordinance.
Owner-occupied homes are exempt. The program applies to residential rental units.
The rollout is phased by area, so rentals in designated Cleveland Heights zones are brought in first.
In 2023, Cleveland Heights passed a lead-safe ordinance to protect children from lead paint in older rentals.
Pre-1978 rentals may need a lead-safe certificate. Any residential rental unit built before January 1, 1978 is presumed to have lead-based paint, and the city is phasing in a requirement for these units to be certified as lead-safe.
The rollout is by designated zone. Cleveland Heights is bringing the program into effect area by area, so whether it applies right now depends on your property's zone. We can help you check where your address stands.
Once your zone is active, no certificate means no legal right to rent. Lead-safe certification becomes part of your rental Certificate of Occupancy, so without a valid certificate you cannot lawfully rent the unit.
You need a licensed assessor's report. To certify, you submit a lead risk assessment or clearance examination report from a licensed professional showing that lead hazards were not identified, completed within 90 days of submission.
Certification lasts three years and transfers on sale. A lead-safe certificate is valid for three years and carries over to a new owner within that period, so it becomes an asset when you sell.
Non-compliance is costly. Violations are a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $1,000 and/or up to 6 months, with each day counted as a separate offense.
Not sure whether your property's zone is active? Send us the address and year built, and we will tell you whether it is covered yet and what the assessment involves. No obligation.
Licensed & local
Cleveland Heights is one of the few inner-ring suburbs with an active lead-safe program, and we are already doing this work across the area, so you are not anyone's first job.
Schedule online or by phone. We confirm your property qualifies and set a time.
A licensed risk assessor does the visual inspection, dust-wipe sampling, and lab analysis the ordinance requires.
You get a clear, city-compliant report, the documentation the Building Commissioner needs.
Submit the report to the city for your certificate. We walk you through exactly what to file.
The same straightforward pricing as the rest of our service area. Two options depending on how thorough you need the testing to be.
Essential
A thorough visual lead risk assessment following all local requirements.
Comprehensive
Uses XRF technology to determine whether deteriorated paint actually contains lead.
Current flash-sale pricing shown. See the full pricing page for details.
★★★★★
"Absolutely professional people, kept us aware each step of the way. I called the city and they highly respected this firm, that was reassuring. If we need again it would be the only company I would call."
Mark
★★★★★
"Dan and his team are real professionals! He made the process for lead certification in Cleveland so smooth. He works with you to make sure that everything is done and guides you through the process. I would highly recommend working with him."
Joseph
★★★★★
"Working with Dan was a wonderful experience. He explains everything very clearly, answers all your questions at any time, is always available when you need him, and helps make everything clear and quick. 100% recommended."
Luisa
Who has to get a lead-safe certificate in Cleveland Heights?
Owners of residential rental units built before January 1, 1978, as the city phases the program in. Owner-occupied homes are not covered. The requirement targets rentals, where children are most at risk.
How do I know if it applies to my property yet?
Cleveland Heights is rolling the program out by designated zone, so it depends on where your rental is located. Send us the address and we will help you check whether your zone is active.
What exactly do I need to submit?
A lead risk assessment or clearance examination report, completed by a licensed professional within 90 days of submission, showing that lead hazards were not identified in the unit. That report is what we provide.
How long is the certification good for?
A lead-safe certificate is valid for three years and transfers to a new owner if you sell within that window.
What happens if I do not comply?
Once your zone is active, renting a covered unit without certification is a first-degree misdemeanor, with fines up to $1,000 and/or up to six months, and each day can count as a separate offense. The certificate is also tied to your Certificate of Occupancy, so you need it to rent legally.
Do you work outside Cleveland Heights?
Yes. We serve Cleveland and all of Northeast Ohio, including Lakewood, Shaker Heights, Euclid, and surrounding communities, for both required certifications and voluntary lead testing.
Stay ahead of the rollout and keep your property rentable. Book a licensed lead risk assessment today, or call with any questions about the ordinance.
