Rochester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 90 § 90-51
Legislative findings (Rochester NY Property Code)
Operative Text
A. Lead poisoning poses a serious public health threat to children and adults in the City of Rochester. B. Younger children are particularly susceptible to the hazards of lead-based paint since their bodies are still developing. Fetuses are also vulnerable to the effects of lead-based paint because pregnant women can transfer lead to their fetuses, which can result in adverse developmental effects. C. A small amount of lead can cause elevated blood lead levels resulting in serious and irreversible developmental damage, particularly in children under the age of six years. D. Exposure to lead hazards from deteriorated lead-based paint is a primary cause of elevated blood lead levels in humans. E. Structures built before 1980 are the most likely to contain lead-based paint hazards. F. Residential properties are more likely than are nonresidential properties to be a source of exposure to lead-based paint hazards by children. G. Children living in older, poorly maintained homes are disproportionately at risk for lead-based paint hazards. H. The exposure to lead-based paint hazards in the City of Rochester is most common, and presents the most serious risk, to young children residing in rental housing built before 1980. I. It is essential to the overall public health of persons in the City of Rochester, and particularly for children younger than six years of age, that they be protected from exposure to lead-based paint hazards. J. According to the environmental impact statement, proposed lead-based paint poisoning prevention legislation could have a cost impact on the rental housing market as high as $540,000,000 depending on the alternative chosen. K. The application of lead-based paint poisoning prevention legislation to the owner-occupied housing market could cause extensive housing abandonment in at least nine distinct neighborhoods. L. Although unquestionably positive, the potential health benefits of lead-based paint poisoning prevention legislation are difficult to quantify since the number of people at risk is undetermined, the transient nature of tenants makes targeting difficult, the mere presence of lead in a structure does not necessarily lead to human exposure to lead-based paint hazards, and the generally agreed-upon group at greatest risk, children from zero to six years of age, are significantly transient.
Rochester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 90 § 90-51 sets out the city's formal legislative findings on lead-based paint as a public health concern. It establishes that children under six and fetuses are especially vulnerable to lead exposure, that pre-1980 rental housing is the highest-risk setting, and that even small amounts of lead can cause serious and irreversible developmental harm. These findings form the factual and policy foundation for the lead-based paint regulations that follow in Chapter 90.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Rochester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 90 § 90-51 signals that the city has formally recognized pre-1980 rental housing as the primary source of lead-based paint hazard exposure for young children. Operators of older rental properties generally treat this legislative backdrop as the rationale for the inspection, disclosure, and remediation requirements found elsewhere in Chapter 90. Understanding these findings helps property managers appreciate why the city's lead-paint rules are structured around rental units built before 1980 and households with young children.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Rochester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 90 § 90-51 reflects the city's official recognition that tenants — particularly families with children under six — in older rental housing face the greatest risk from lead-based paint hazards. While this section contains findings rather than enforceable tenant rights on its own, it underpins the protective obligations placed on landlords throughout Chapter 90. Tenants who believe their rental unit may have lead hazards can reference these findings when contacting the City of Rochester's code enforcement office or a local tenant-rights organization to learn about available remedies.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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