Lead Paint Testing · California
Is testing mandatory for homes built before 1978?
Short answer
While testing isn't always mandatory for a sale, the EPA requires lead disclosure for all homes built before 1978. For renovations, testing is the only way to avoid the high cost of assuming lead is present and following full RRP protocols.
Lead-based paint was banned for residential use in 1978, but it remains present in millions of California homes. If you are a contractor, you must either test for lead or follow expensive 'lead-safe' work practices by default. For homeowners, knowing where lead is located allows you to manage it safely—often by simply painting over it if it's in good condition. ClearPoint Environmental helps you identify exactly which surfaces contain lead, potentially saving you thousands in unnecessary abatement costs.
Answered by ClearPoint Environmental, main branch 4127 Bay St, Fremont, CA 94538, (510) 901-5743. Reviewed 2026.
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