Information for rental property owners & property managers 

The goal of this program is to reduce childhood lead poisoning by identifying and remediating lead hazards in high-risk areas. Rental units built prior to 1980, along with unit-specific lead safety certifications and responsible party information, will be required to be entered into and maintained in a central database in 2026.  

The NYS Lead Rental Registry applies to rental units in 2+ family dwellings that reside within the “Community of Concern”, designated by the Commissioner of Health. In Buffalo and Erie County, those zip codes are: 14201, 14204, 14206, 14207, 14208, 14210, 14211, 14212, 14213, 14214, 14215, & 14225 (only properties west of the I-90).

What is required?

• Inspection and certification of rental units every 3 years to ensure there are not conditions conducive to lead poisoning. 
• Each unit must pass a lead clearance inspection which includes visual checks for deteriorated paint and soil conditions, along with dust wipe sampling.  

What can landlords subject to the new regulation do? 

• Evaluate rental units for lead hazards  
• Lead-safe certification is federally mandated for all projects that disturb paint in pre-1980 rental units. Hire a contractor certified in Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) – or become certified and do it yourself! 
• Contact the Erie County Department of Health with questions and for potential reduced-cost RRP course offerings and grant programs available to make units lead-safe.  

More Information

For more information, visit the City of Buffalo’s Proactive Rental Inspection website and the New York State Department of Health’s Lead Rental Registry website.