Painting a Cape Cod house built before 1978: the lead paint rules
Paint jobs on homes built before 1978 fall under the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting rule once the work disturbs more than 6 square feet per room inside or 20 square feet outside. Massachusetts runs its own program under 454 CMR 22, and state law also protects young children living with lead paint.
Sources: EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: Contractors · EPA news release 2010-07-22, Massachusetts authorized for RRP
The federal rule
- The Renovation, Repair and Painting rule applies to houses, apartments and child-occupied facilities built before 1978. Source: EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: Contractors
- Minor work of 6 square feet or less per room inside, or 20 square feet or less outside, is excluded; above that, the rule applies. Source: EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: Contractors
- Anyone paid to disturb paint in pre-1978 housing must be certified. Source: EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: Contractors
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts was authorized by EPA on July 22, 2010 to run its own renovation program. Source: EPA news release 2010-07-22, Massachusetts authorized for RRP
- Under MGL chapter 111, section 197, when a child under six lives where paint has dangerous levels of lead, the owner shall abate or contain it. Source: MGL c.111 s.197
- The year 1978 does not appear in section 197; the 1978 cutoff comes from the renovation rule. Source: MGL c.111 s.197
Questions homeowners ask
My Cape house was built before 1978. What changes when you paint it?
If the work disturbs more than 6 square feet of paint per room inside, or 20 square feet outside, the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting rule applies, and anyone paid to disturb that paint must be certified. Massachusetts runs its own program.
Source: EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: Contractors
Does Massachusetts have its own rule?
Yes. EPA authorized Massachusetts on July 22, 2010 to run its own renovation program.
Source: EPA news release 2010-07-22, Massachusetts authorized for RRP