News & Updates · Toledo / Lucas County
Toledo’s Lead-Safe Law Is Here. If Your Property Isn’t Compliant, It Can’t Legally Be Rented.
The City of Toledo's Lead Safe ordinance (Toledo Municipal Code Chapter 1760) requires residential rental properties built before 1978 to meet lead-safe standards and hold a valid Lead-Safe Certificate before they can be rented or re-rented. Here's what that means for you — and how Eco-Ohio can help you get there.
The Law
What the Ordinance Requires
Any residential rental property with 1–4 units built before 1978 — single-family rentals, duplexes, buildings up to four units, and family child care homes — is presumed to contain lead-based paint and must be certified lead-safe.
- Register the rental property with the Lucas County Auditor's rental registry
- Hire a State of Ohio licensed Lead Inspector, Risk Assessor, or Clearance Technician registered with the City of Toledo
- Prepare the property and pass a clearance inspection, including dust-wipe sampling
- Correct any identified lead hazards
- Apply for and obtain a Lead-Safe Certificate — and maintain ongoing compliance
- Provide tenants the EPA lead hazard pamphlet, known lead information, required lease disclosure language, and a copy of the certificate
This summary is for general information only and is not legal advice. Requirements, fees, and enforcement practices can change. Verify current requirements with the City of Toledo.
What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
Property owners who don't comply may be referred to housing court. Beyond the legal exposure, an uncertified property can't be lawfully rented — which means lost rental income on top of potential penalties.
The City reports that a lead clearance inspection costs roughly $400 in Toledo, and grant assistance may be available to eligible owners to help cover lead hazard remediation. Ask us and the City about current assistance programs.
Why It Matters
This Isn't Just Paperwork. It's the Law — and It's Children's Health.
Lucas County has some of Ohio's highest-risk areas for childhood lead exposure. The ordinance exists because lead in pre-1978 paint, dust, and soil is a documented cause of elevated blood lead levels in children.
The good news: most compliance problems are fixable. Deteriorated paint, friction surfaces on windows and doors, and lead-contaminated dust can be addressed with proper lead-safe work — and once corrected, certification is achievable.
How Eco-Ohio Helps You Comply
- Identify and correct lead hazards before your clearance inspection
- Repair and stabilize deteriorated painted surfaces
- Window and door component work, encapsulation, and stabilization
- Lead-safe preparation, containment, cleanup, and HEPA vacuuming
- Clearance preparation so the property is ready for the inspector
- Coordination with licensed risk assessors, inspectors, and clearance testing
- Documentation support to help you stay organized for certification
- Ongoing maintenance planning to help you remain compliant
Eco-Ohio does not perform clearance inspections or issue certificates — those must be done by a state-licensed, city-registered inspector. We perform and prepare the lead-related work and coordinate with licensed professionals.
Don't Wait for Housing Court
Get Your Property Lead-Safe Certified
If you own a pre-1978 rental in Toledo or Lucas County, now is the time to act. Call 419-561-4289 or request a quote — we'll help you understand what your property needs and do the lead-related work to get it there.
Questions About Your Specific Property?
Every property and scope is different. Call us at 419-561-4289 or send a message — we'll help you figure out what the lead-related side of compliance involves for your situation.