Lead-Safe Painting for Pre-1978 Homes

Why it matters here

The median home in Lafayette and Orinda was built in 1960; in Walnut Creek, 1974; in Pleasant Hill, 1972; in Alamo, 1978 (U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024). In much of the area, the house you're painting likely has lead paint somewhere under the current coats.

When the rule applies

Situation	Covered by EPA RRP?
Paid painting work that disturbs paint, pre-1978 home	Yes
Disturbing 6 sq ft or less of paint per room inside	No (minor repair and maintenance)
Disturbing 20 sq ft or less of paint outside	No (minor repair and maintenance)
Window replacement or demolition, any size	Yes
Any job using a prohibited practice	Yes
Home built in 1978 or later	No

What lead-safe work looks like

Before work: the firm gives you the EPA's Renovate Right pamphlet.
Signs posted to keep people out of the work area.
Outside: plastic or other impermeable ground cover extending 10 feet beyond the surfaces being worked on (or farther if needed to catch debris), and doors and windows within 20 feet closed.
Inside: floor covering at least 6 feet beyond the work area, openings sealed, HVAC vents covered.
Cleanup: paint chips collected in sealed bags, the area cleaned until no dust or debris remains, and a certified renovator verifies the cleanup.

Practices that are banned

Open-flame burning or torching of painted surfaces
Sanding, grinding, power planing, needle guns, abrasive blasting or sandblasting with machines that don't have shrouds or containment and a HEPA vacuum attachment
Heat guns on painted surfaces above 1,100°F

How to check a painter

Ask for the company's EPA firm certification and the name of the certified renovator on your job.
Verify the firm through the EPA's RRP program.
Make sure the quote describes containment and cleanup, not just "lead-safe."
Check the CSLB license too; see choosing a painter.

Where California certification fits

The California Department of Public Health certifies lead inspectors and risk assessors, sampling technicians, project monitors, and the supervisors and workers who do lead abatement. A paid lead inspection or risk assessment requires a CDPH-certified inspector/assessor. A routine repaint is renovation work under the EPA rule; if you want testing or clearance testing, that's when a CDPH-certified professional comes in.

Next: exterior painting · choosing a painter

Questions homeowners ask

Does every painting job on an old house need lead-safe practices?

Paid work that disturbs painted surfaces in a pre-1978 home is covered unless it stays at or under 6 sq ft per room inside or 20 sq ft outside. Window replacement, demolition and any prohibited practice are covered regardless of size. A full exterior repaint with scraping is well over the limit.

Is lead-safe painting the same as lead abatement?

No. Lead-safe painting follows the EPA's renovation rules to contain dust and chips during normal work. Lead abatement is work designed to permanently remove lead hazards, done by state-certified abatement supervisors and workers. California's Department of Public Health certifies inspectors, assessors and abatement workers.

Should I test my paint before painting?

If the house was built before 1978, the painter will either assume lead is present and work lead-safe, or test. A paid lead inspection or risk assessment in California has to be done by a CDPH-certified inspector/assessor.

Sources

Contractor price pages are published pricing from individual painting companies, not quotes. Your price can land below or above these ranges.

Lead-Safe Painting for Older Homes