Cal. Civ. Code § 254.18
Lead hazard reduction in dwellings and premises; renovations.
Operative Text
254.18 Lead hazard reduction in dwellings and premises; renovations. (1) Sampling or testing of dwellings, units of dwellings or premises for the presence of lead-bearing paint or a lead hazard is not required before lead hazard reduction activities are conducted if the presence of lead-bearing paint or a lead hazard is assumed and the lead hazard reduction activities are performed in a lead-safe manner. (2) (a) In this subsection, “partial lead inspection” means an on-site investigation of one or more painted, varnished, or otherwise coated building components to determine the presence of lead, but not a surface-by-surface investigation. (b) If the presence of lead-bearing paint or a lead hazard is assumed and a renovation of a dwelling, unit of a dwelling, or premises is performed in a lead-safe manner, any person who performs a partial lead inspection relating to that renovation is not required to comply with any requirements established by the department for a lead inspection. (c) The person who performs a partial lead inspection under this subsection shall disclose, in writing, to the owner or lessor of the dwelling or premises that the person performed a partial lead inspection.
Wisconsin Statute § 254.18 establishes that pre-renovation testing for lead-bearing paint or lead hazards is not mandatory when the presence of lead is simply assumed and all work is carried out using lead-safe practices. The statute also creates a category called a 'partial lead inspection,' which covers an investigation of specific building components rather than every surface, and exempts such inspections from the full state lead-inspection requirements when lead is assumed and lead-safe methods are used. Anyone who conducts a partial lead inspection under § 254.18 must provide written disclosure to the property owner or lessor confirming that only a partial inspection was performed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wis. Stat. § 254.18, property owners and managers overseeing renovations in dwellings or premises can avoid mandatory pre-work lead testing by assuming lead is present and ensuring all renovation activities follow lead-safe work practices. When a contractor or inspector performs only a partial lead inspection in connection with a renovation, operators should expect to receive a written disclosure from that inspector confirming the limited scope of the inspection, and retaining that documentation is a standard part of maintaining a compliant renovation record. Owners and lessors should be aware that assuming lead presence and using lead-safe methods is the threshold condition that triggers the flexibility § 254.18 provides.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wis. Stat. § 254.18 means that renovations in your dwelling may proceed without formal lead testing, as long as the renovating party assumes lead is present and uses lead-safe work methods throughout the project. If a partial lead inspection was conducted in connection with a renovation of your unit, the inspector is required by § 254.18 to give the owner or lessor a written disclosure stating that only a partial inspection took place — tenants can ask their landlord whether such a disclosure was provided. Those who want to understand their broader rights around lead hazards in rental housing may find it useful to consult a tenant-rights organization or review resources from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
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 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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