24 C.F.R. § 35.1350
§ 35.1350 Safe work practices. (24 CFR Part 35)
Operative Text
(a) Prohibited methods. Methods of paint removal listed in § 35.140 shall not be used. (b) Occupant protection and worksite preparation. Occupants and their belongings shall be protected, and the worksite prepared, in accordance with § 35.1345. A person performing this work shall be trained on hazards and either be supervised or have completed successfully one of the specified courses, in accordance with § 35.1330(a)(4). (c) 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. (d) 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) 20 square feet (2 square meters) on exterior surfaces; (2) 2 square feet (0.2 square meters) in any one interior room or space; or (3) 10 percent of the total surface area on an interior or exterior type of component with a small surface area. Examples include window sills, baseboards, and trim.
Under 24 CFR Part 35 § 35.1350, when lead-based paint work exceeds certain small thresholds—20 square feet on exterior surfaces, 2 square feet in any interior room, or 10 percent of a small component's surface area—specific safe work practices apply. These include banning certain high-risk paint removal methods, protecting occupants and their belongings, ensuring workers are trained or supervised, and cleaning the worksite afterward with HEPA vacuums or equivalent lead-specific methods. Below those thresholds, the full set of safe work practices is not required.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators working on properties subject to 24 CFR Part 35 § 35.1350 generally confirm whether a project's disturbed painted surface area crosses the de minimis thresholds before scheduling work. When those thresholds are exceeded, compliant operators ensure that prohibited removal methods are avoided, that workers meet the training or supervision requirements, and that post-work cleanup uses HEPA vacuums or lead-specific detergents. Keeping documentation of surface measurements, worker qualifications, and cleaning procedures is a common practice among operators managing compliance with this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 24 CFR Part 35 § 35.1350, tenants in covered housing have an interest in knowing whether renovation or maintenance work disturbing painted surfaces meets the required safe work practices, including proper worksite preparation and post-work cleanup. If a tenant believes these standards were not followed, options generally include raising the violation with a local housing authority, filing a complaint with HUD, or contacting a tenant-rights organization for guidance. Reviewing the specific thresholds in § 35.1350(d) can help a tenant assess whether the work performed was large enough in scope to trigger these protections.
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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