Cal. Civ. Code § 6-815
Md. Code Ann., Environment Art. Title 6, Subtitle 8 — Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Operative Text
(a) No later than the first change in occupancy in an affected property that occurs on or after February 24, 1996, before the next tenant occupies the property, an owner of an affected property shall initially satisfy the risk reduction standard established under this subtitle by passing the test for lead–contaminated dust under § 6–816 of this subtitle provided that any chipping, peeling, or flaking paint has been removed or repainted on: (1) The exterior painted surfaces of the residential building in which the rental dwelling unit is located; and (2) The interior painted surfaces of the rental dwelling unit. (b) At each change in occupancy thereafter, before the next tenant occupies the property, the owner of an affected property shall satisfy the risk reduction standard established under this subtitle by passing the test for lead–contaminated dust under § 6–816 of this subtitle in accordance with subsection (a) of this section. (c) At each change in occupancy, an owner of an affected property shall have the property inspected to verify that the risk reduction standard specified in this section has been satisfied. (d) (1) Exterior work required to satisfy the risk reduction standard may be delayed, pursuant to a waiver approved by the appropriate person under paragraph (2) of this subsection, during any time period in which exterior work is not required to be performed under an applicable local housing code or, if no such time period is specified, during the period from November 1 through April 1, inclusive. (2) A waiver under paragraph (1) of this subsection may be approved by the code official for enforcement of the housing code or minimum livability code of the local jurisdiction, or, if there is no such official, the Department of Housing and Community Development. (3) Notwithstanding the terms of the waiver, all work delayed in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be completed within 30 days after the end of the applicable time period. (4) Any delay allowed under paragraph (1) of this subsection may not affect the obligation of the owner to complete all other components of the risk reduction standard and to have those components inspected and verified. (5) If the owner has complied with the requirements of paragraph (4) of this subsection, the owner may rent the affected property during any period of delay allowed under paragraph (1) of this subsection. (e) On request of a local jurisdiction, the Secretary may designate the code official for enforcement of the housing code or minimum livability code for the local jurisdiction, or an appropriate employee of the local jurisdiction, to conduct inspections under this subtitle.
Section 6-815 of Maryland's Environmental Code establishes a "risk reduction standard" that owners of affected (older, pre-1978) rental properties must meet at every change in occupancy before a new tenant moves in. Meeting the standard requires passing a lead-contaminated dust test under § 6-816 and ensuring that any chipping, peeling, or flaking paint on both exterior building surfaces and interior unit surfaces has been removed or repainted. Exterior work may be deferred during winter months (November 1 through April 1) under an approved waiver, but all other components of the standard must still be completed and inspected before the new tenancy begins, and delayed exterior work must be finished within 30 days after the waiver period ends.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 6-815, compliant operators of affected rental properties treat every change in occupancy as a trigger point: before the next tenant moves in, they ensure all chipping, peeling, or flaking paint on exterior building surfaces and interior unit surfaces is addressed, then arrange a lead-dust inspection and test as required by § 6-816. Owners who need to defer exterior work during cold-weather months typically obtain a written waiver from the local code official or, where none exists, from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, and they track the 30-day post-waiver deadline to complete that deferred work. Even with a waiver in place, all interior and non-exterior components of the risk reduction standard must be inspected and verified before the new tenant occupies the unit.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 6-815 gives prospective and incoming tenants a right to expect that an affected rental property has passed a lead-dust test and has had deteriorated paint addressed before they move in, at every change in occupancy. If a tenant believes an owner failed to satisfy the risk reduction standard required by § 6-815 prior to occupancy, that potential violation can be raised with the local housing code enforcement office or the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, or it may be relevant as a defense or claim in a legal proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Maryland's lead paint laws can help explain what documentation owners are required to provide and what options may be available when the standard does not appear to have been met.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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