24 C.F.R. § 35.155
§ 35.155 Minimum requirements. (24 CFR Part 35)
Operative Text
(a) Nothing in subparts B, C, D, F through M, and R of this part is intended to preclude a designated party or owner from conducting additional evaluation or hazard reduction measures beyond the minimum requirements established for each program in this regulation. For example, if the applicable subpart requires visual assessment, the designated party may choose to perform a risk assessment in accordance with § 35.1320. Similarly, if the applicable subpart requires interim controls, a designated party or owner may choose to implement abatement in accordance with § 35.1325. (b) To the extent that assistance from any of the programs covered by subparts B, C, D, and F through M of this part is used in conjunction with other HUD program assistance, the most protective requirements prevail.
Section 35.155 of 24 CFR Part 35 establishes that the lead-based paint requirements set out across the covered subparts are floors, not ceilings — meaning parties are always free to go further than the minimum standard requires. When multiple HUD programs overlap on the same property or project, the rule specifies that whichever program imposes the most protective lead-hazard requirements is the one that governs the combined activity. In short, the regulation prevents a less-stringent program from being used to avoid the stricter obligations that another applicable program would otherwise impose.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 35.155, property owners and designated parties operating under any of the covered HUD program subparts are permitted — and in some cases may find it operationally prudent — to exceed the minimum evaluation or hazard-reduction standard, such as opting for a full risk assessment when only a visual assessment is required, or choosing abatement when only interim controls are mandated. When a property receives assistance from more than one covered HUD program simultaneously, compliant operators identify which program carries the most protective lead requirements and apply that standard across the board. Keeping clear documentation of which programs apply to a given property and which standard was used helps demonstrate compliance when multiple funding sources are involved.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 35.155 means that if your housing receives assistance from more than one HUD program covered by this regulation, you are entitled to the protections of whichever program sets the highest lead-safety standard — a less protective program cannot be used to reduce the safeguards you would otherwise receive. If you believe a property owner or designated party is applying a weaker standard than the most protective one required under the overlapping programs, that concern can generally be raised with the relevant HUD field office or local housing authority. Tenant-rights organizations and HUD's Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes can also be resources for understanding how § 35.155 applies to a particular housing program.
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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