Syracuse, N.Y., Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 54 § 54-11
Safe work practices
Operative Text
(a) Lead-based paint shall not be applied to any exterior or interior surface. (b) Prohibited methods. The following methods of paint removal shall not be used: (1) Open flame burning or torching. (2) Machine sanding or grinding without a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) local exhaust control. (3) Abrasive blasting or sandblasting without HEPA local exhaust control. (4) Heat guns operating above 1,100° F. or charring the paint. (5) Dry sanding or dry scraping, except dry scraping in conjunction with heat guns or within one foot of electrical outlets, or when treating defective paint spots totaling no more than two (2) square feet in any one interior room or space, or totaling no more than twenty (20) square feet on exterior surfaces. (6) Paint stripping in a poorly ventilated space using a volatile stripper that is a hazardous substance in accordance with regulations of the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 16 CFR 1500.3, and/or a hazardous chemical in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations at 29 CFR 1910.1200 or 1926.59, as applicable to the work. (c) Worksite preparation. The worksite shall be prepared in accordance with section 54-10 (b). (d) Specialized cleaning. After hazard reduction activities have been completed, the worksite shall be cleaned using cleaning methods, products and devices that are successful in cleaning up dust-lead hazards, such as a HEPA vacuum or other method of equivalent efficacy, and lead-specific detergents or equivalent. (e) De minimis levels. Safe work practices are not required when maintenance or hazard reduction activities do not disturb painted surfaces that total more than: (1) Twenty (20) square feet on exterior surfaces; (2) Two (2) square feet in any one interior room or space; or (3) Ten (10) percent of the total surface area on an interior or exterior type of component with a small surface area. Examples include windowsills, baseboards, and trim.
Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 54 § 54-11 establishes safe work practices for properties where lead-based paint may be present. It bans the application of lead-based paint entirely and prohibits specific high-risk removal methods—such as open-flame torching, dry sanding, and unventilated chemical stripping—that can generate dangerous lead dust. After any lead hazard reduction work, the worksite must be cleaned using HEPA vacuums or equivalent methods and lead-specific detergents. These requirements apply once disturbed painted surfaces exceed defined thresholds, such as 20 square feet on exteriors or 2 square feet in any single interior room.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 54 § 54-11 generally ensure that no lead-based paint is applied to any surface and that workers performing paint removal avoid all prohibited techniques, including open-flame torching, uncontrolled machine sanding, and dry scraping beyond the de minimis thresholds. Compliant operators confirm that worksites are prepared per § 54-10(b) and that post-work cleanup uses HEPA vacuums or equivalent equipment along with lead-specific detergents. Operators also track the square footage of disturbed painted surfaces to determine when the full safe-work-practices regime is triggered versus when de minimis exemptions apply.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Syracuse have an interest in knowing that § 54-11 of Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 54 requires landlords and contractors to follow strict lead-safe work practices whenever renovation or maintenance disturbs painted surfaces above certain size thresholds. If work is being performed in or around a rental unit and residents observe prohibited methods—such as open-flame paint removal or dry sanding without HEPA controls—that may indicate a violation of this provision. Tenants can document observations, contact the City of Syracuse's code enforcement office to report potential violations, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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 1, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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