What NYC Property Owners Need to Know About Local Law 31 in 2026
Local Law 31 is one of the most significant pieces of lead paint legislation in New York City history. Enacted to protect children under six from lead exposure, it requires property owners to proactively inspect and remediate lead-based paint hazards in pre-1960 buildings with three or more units.
If you own a multiple dwelling built before 1960 — or between 1960 and 1978 where lead paint is known to exist — you are required to comply with Local Law 31. This includes conducting annual visual inspections, performing XRF testing during turnover, and maintaining documentation for at least 10 years.
XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) testing is the gold standard for detecting lead paint. Under LL31, an EPA-certified inspector must use a calibrated XRF device to test all painted surfaces in units where a child under six resides, or during apartment turnovers. Testing must cover every component — walls, doors, windows, trim, and radiators.
Property owners must complete inspections on a rolling cycle based on their building's Community District. HPD assigns specific deadlines — missing yours can result in violations and fines. Check your cycle at the HPD Lead-Based Paint page or contact our team for guidance.
Violations can range from daily civil penalties under the NYC Housing Maintenance Code. HPD issues Class C (immediately hazardous) violations for lead paint hazards, requiring correction within 24 hours. Failure to comply can lead to emergency repair charges, lawsuits, and even criminal liability in severe cases.
We handle the entire LL31 compliance process — from XRF testing to abatement to HPD certification filing. Our EPA-certified inspectors serve all five boroughs with same-day availability for emergencies. Learn more about Local Law 31 compliance or get a free estimate.
Owners of buildings built before 1960 (or 1960-1978 with known lead) that contain three or more units. Owners must have an EPA-certified inspector perform XRF testing on every unit by August 9, 2025, with re-testing every 5 years.
XRF testing in NYC ranges from $400-$800 per apartment for small buildings and $250-$500 per unit at volume. Full-building packages (50+ units) typically run $200-$350 per unit. DeLeadNYC provides flat-rate quotes for whole-building Local Law 31 compliance.