Syracuse, N.Y., Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 54 § 54-2
Legislative findings
Operative Text
(a) Lead poisoning poses a serious public health threat to children and adults in the city of Syracuse. (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 1978 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 Syracuse is most common, and presents the most serious risk, to young children residing in rental housing built before 1978. (i) It is essential to the overall public health of persons in the city of Syracuse, and particularly for children younger than six years of age, that they be protected from exposure to lead-based paint hazards.
Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 54 § 54-2 sets out the city's formal findings on why lead-based paint regulation is necessary. It establishes that lead exposure poses serious, irreversible health risks—especially to children under six and fetuses—and that older rental housing built before 1978 is the primary source of that exposure in Syracuse. These findings serve as the legal and policy foundation for the broader lead-hazard control requirements that follow in Chapter 54.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Because Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 54 § 54-2 identifies pre-1978 rental housing as the highest-risk category for lead-based paint hazards, property owners who operate older rental units are operating in the context this legislative framework was specifically designed to address. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with the full scope of Chapter 54 obligations that flow from these findings, including inspection, maintenance, and disclosure requirements. Understanding the public-health rationale articulated in § 54-2 helps operators appreciate why the city treats lead-hazard compliance as a priority enforcement area.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 54 § 54-2 reflects the city's formal recognition that tenants—particularly families with young children—in pre-1978 rental housing face elevated lead-paint risks. Tenants in such housing may have rights under the broader Chapter 54 framework that these findings underpin, including protections related to lead-hazard maintenance and disclosure. Those who believe their housing may present lead hazards can explore options such as contacting a local tenant-rights organization, reaching out to the Syracuse Code Enforcement office, or consulting with a housing attorney about remedies available under Chapter 54.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 1, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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