Lead-Safe Wisconsin: Wisconsin’s Lead-Safe Renovation Rule
In 1978, lead was banned from paint and varnish for residential use. Lead can damage the brain and other systems, leading to:
- Developmental delays.
- Learning disabilities.
- Reduced IQ and attention span.
- A range of other health and behavioral effects.
Lead may still be present in paint and varnish in homes and child care centers built before 1978.
Wisconsin’s Lead-Safe Renovation Rule protects kids from lead paint dust that can be created during renovation work on homes and child care centers built before 1978. The rule covers work like:
- Paint scraping.
- Window removal.
- Remodeling.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is authorized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to administer and enforce the law through its Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program.
Related topics
You must be trained and certified before you can perform most paint-disturbing work—or even offer to perform most paint-disturbing work—on homes or child care centers built before 1978.
This work may include:
- Paint scraping.
- Replacing windows.
- Remodeling.
Follow these step-by-step directions to get certified as a lead-safe renovator. Then sign up for training from an accredited provider.
If you misplaced or damaged your cleaning verification card, you can email us at DHSAsbestosLead@dhs.wisconsin.gov to request a new one. We’ll mail it to you, free of charge.
Learn the basic requirements of the rule as it applies to your work by selecting your profession’s fact sheet:
You can use test kits to determine the presence of lead-based paint, but there are rules about it for certified lead professionals. Use this lead test kit sample form to document lead test kit sampling results. Learn the requirements for using lead test kits.
- “Renovate Right” pamphlet and sample pre-renovation form
Lead companies are responsible for giving the EPA’s Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right (PDF) (Spanish version) to owners and occupants before starting renovation work on homes and child care centers built before 1978. Don’t give this to owners and occupants any earlier than 60 days before you actually start work, however, because of the supply chain issues delaying many projects right now.
You can use the EPA’s sample pre-renovation form (PDF) as written confirmation that you gave the guide to owners and occupants.
Learn about specific requirements based on the type of property and area being renovated in Wisconsin Admin. Code § DHS 163.14 (10).
- “Renovate Right” renovation notice
Use this sample renovation notice form to let tenants of multi-family housing units know of upcoming renovations. You can post them in common living areas. The form includes an area where you can document the steps you took to let tenants know, which you can keep for your records.
Learn about specific requirements based on the type of property and area being renovated in Wisconsin Admin. Code § DHS 163.14 (10).
- FAQs (frequently asked questions) about Wisconsin’s Lead-Safe Renovation Rule—Find answers to FAQs. If your question isn’t answered here, email us at DHSAsbestosLead@dhs.wisconsin.gov or call us at 608-261-6876.
- EPA’s “LEAD Safety for Renovation, Repair, and Painting” (PDF) (Spanish Version)—This is the EPA’s student manual for its Renovation, Repair, and Painting training curriculum.
- EPA’s FAQs on lead-based paint—Find helpful information on the EPA’s website that applies to Wisconsin-certified lead-safe renovators and other professionals.
- EPA’s “Steps to Lead Safe Renovation, Repair and Painting”—Learn the basic steps for planning and completing a renovation using lead-safe work practices. Use this to provide on-the-job training to uncertified members of the crew.
- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Lead Paint Safety field guide (PDF)—This manual illustrates the safety precautions you need to take while doing home maintenance and working with paint in homes and child care centers built before 1978. This is a recommended resource for do-it-yourselfers.
- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing—These guidelines describe how to perform paint-disturbing work in homes built before 1978—from planning stages to making sure a home is clean and safe after renovation work is complete. These guidelines are comprehensive and considered the “documented methodology” for safely conducting lead-based paint work under Wisconsin Admin. Code, Ch. DHS 163.