Cleveland Ordinance 365: Your Lead Safe Certificate Renewal Guide for 2026

If you own rental property in Cleveland built before 1978, you need a Lead Safe Certificate. Cleveland's Ordinance 365 established this requirement to protect tenants—particularly young children—from lead-based paint hazards. Whether you are obtaining your first certificate or renewing an existing one, this guide walks through the full process so you know exactly what to expect.

What Ordinance 365 Requires

Ordinance 365 applies to all pre-1978 rental properties within the City of Cleveland. The core requirement is straightforward: before you rent a unit, it must have a current Lead Safe Certificate on file with the city. This applies to single-family rentals, duplexes, and multi-family buildings alike.

The ordinance is a practical measure. Lead-based paint was widely used in residential construction through the late 1970s, and older housing stock in Cleveland is no exception. The certificate confirms that a licensed risk assessor has evaluated the property and that any identified lead hazards have been addressed.

The Two-Year Renewal Cycle

Lead Safe Certificates are valid for two years from the date of issuance. That means if your certificate was issued in early 2024, you are approaching your renewal window now. It is a good idea to start the renewal process at least 30 days before your certificate expires. This gives you time for the inspection, lab results, any necessary remediation, and report delivery without a gap in your certificate status.

Keeping track of your renewal dates is part of routine property management. If you have multiple units, consider staggering your renewals or working with a single provider who can manage the schedule across your portfolio.

The Process: Step by Step

Obtaining or renewing a Lead Safe Certificate involves a clear sequence of steps:

1. Lead Risk Assessment

A licensed lead risk assessor visits the property and conducts a thorough evaluation. This includes a visual inspection of all painted surfaces, collection of dust wipe samples from floors, window sills, and window troughs, and paint chip testing where deteriorated paint is found. The assessor documents conditions with photographs and detailed notes. Learn more about what a lead risk assessment involves.

2. Lab Analysis and Reporting

Dust wipe and paint chip samples are sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis. Lab results typically come back within 5 to 7 business days. Once results are in, the risk assessor prepares a comprehensive report with component-level findings, lab data, and—if hazards are identified—a prioritized action plan.

3. Remediation (If Needed)

If the risk assessment identifies lead hazards above EPA action levels, those hazards need to be addressed before a certificate can be issued. This may involve interim controls (such as stabilizing deteriorated paint and thorough cleaning) or more extensive abatement work, depending on the severity. Your risk assessor's report will outline exactly what needs to be done.

4. Clearance Examination

After any remediation work is completed, a clearance examination confirms that the work was done properly and that dust lead levels are below clearance standards. This is a separate visit from the initial risk assessment and involves a fresh set of dust wipe samples from the treated areas.

5. Certificate Issuance

Once the property passes clearance (or if no hazards were found during the initial risk assessment), the Lead Safe Certificate is issued and filed with the City of Cleveland.

What It Costs

A lead risk assessment for a single unit typically runs between $500 and $650. This covers the on-site inspection, sample collection, laboratory analysis, and the written report. Multi-unit properties may qualify for per-unit pricing that brings the cost down on a per-door basis.

If remediation is needed and a clearance examination is required afterward, that is a separate fee. The clearance exam covers a new set of samples and a fresh lab submission.

These are standard costs for the Cleveland market. Be cautious of pricing that seems unusually low—it may indicate shortcuts in sampling or reporting that could cause problems down the line.

Timeline: How Long Does It Take

From the initial risk assessment visit to a delivered report, the typical timeline is 10 to 14 business days. Here is how that breaks down:

• Day 1: On-site risk assessment (1–3 hours depending on unit size)
• Days 2–8: Laboratory analysis of samples
• Days 9–14: Report preparation and delivery

If remediation and clearance are needed, add time for the contractor's work plus the clearance exam and its own lab cycle. For a detailed breakdown, see our process timeline.

Checking Your Property's Status

The City of Cleveland uses the ACCELA online portal to track Lead Safe Certificates and related permits. Property owners can look up their current certificate status, expiration dates, and inspection history through this system. If you are unsure whether your certificate is current, this is the first place to check.

If you need help interpreting what you find in ACCELA or want to confirm your renewal timeline, feel free to reach out to us. We work with the portal regularly and can help you understand where things stand.

Financial Assistance Programs

The cost of lead safety compliance does not have to fall entirely on the property owner. Several programs exist to help offset the expense of risk assessments, remediation, and clearance work:

• Lead Safe Home Fund: A major resource for Cleveland property owners, providing grants that can cover a significant portion of lead hazard remediation costs.
• City of Cleveland LHC Grants: The Lead Hazard Control program offers additional grant funding for qualifying properties.
• Cuyahoga County Programs: County-level assistance is available for properties outside Cleveland city limits but within the county.

Eligibility requirements and funding availability change periodically. Visit our financial assistance page for current details on each program, including how to apply.

Getting Started

If your Lead Safe Certificate is due for renewal—or if you need one for the first time—the process starts with a risk assessment. We serve property owners throughout Greater Cleveland and can typically schedule an assessment within a few business days.

Have questions about your specific situation? Contact us and we will walk through your options.