24 C.F.R. § 35.135
§ 35.135 Use of paint containing lead. (24 CFR Part 35)
Operative Text
(a) New use prohibition. The use of paint containing more than 0.06 percent dry weight of lead on any interior or exterior surface in federally owned housing or housing receiving Federal assistance is prohibited. As appropriate, each Federal agency shall include the prohibition in contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, insurance agreements, guaranty agreements, trust agreements, or other similar documents. (b) Pre-1978 prohibition. In the case of a jurisdiction which banned the sale or residential use of lead-containing paint before 1978, HUD may designate an earlier date for certain provisions of subparts D and F through M of this part.
Under 24 CFR Part 35 § 35.135, the use of paint with a lead content exceeding 0.06 percent dry weight is banned on interior and exterior surfaces in federally owned or federally assisted housing. Federal agencies are expected to carry this prohibition forward into the contracts, grants, and similar agreements they execute. Additionally, where a local jurisdiction banned lead paint in residential settings before 1978, HUD has the authority to apply an even earlier compliance date for certain related subparts of Part 35.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of federally owned or federally assisted housing must ensure that no paint exceeding the lead threshold set out in § 35.135 is applied to any surface of a covered property. Compliant operators typically review all paint products before use, retain documentation confirming lead content, and verify that contractors working on the property are aware of and follow this prohibition. Because the rule flows through funding and assistance agreements, property managers generally confirm that their contracts with vendors and subcontractors reflect this requirement as well.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 35.135 establishes that residents of federally owned or federally assisted housing have a right to live in a property where prohibited lead-containing paint is not applied to surfaces. If a tenant believes this rule is being violated, general enforcement paths include raising the issue with the property's management, contacting the relevant federal agency overseeing the assistance, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization familiar with HUD regulations. Tenants may also be able to raise a violation of § 35.135 as part of a broader habitability or lead-hazard complaint filed with an appropriate housing authority.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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