Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 22, §§ 1315–1331 (housing) § 1320-A
Inspection of dwellings by department
Operative Text
Except in the case of an owner-occupied, single-family residence, the department shall within 30 days inspect all dwelling units in a dwelling when: 1. Lead poisoning found. A case of lead poisoning has been found in any dwelling unit within the dwelling; or 2. Lead-based substances. Lead-based substances have been found in any dwelling unit within the dwelling. The department may, at its discretion, inspect an owner-occupied single-family residence whenever a lead-poisoned child has been identified as residing in or receiving care in that residence.
Under Maine law at 22 M.R.S. § 1320-A, the state department is required to inspect all dwelling units within a building—excluding owner-occupied single-family homes—within 30 days whenever a case of lead poisoning or the presence of lead-based substances is identified in any one unit of that building. For owner-occupied single-family residences, the department retains discretionary authority to conduct an inspection if a lead-poisoned child is identified as living in or receiving care at that home. This provision establishes a building-wide inspection trigger, meaning a finding in one unit can prompt review of the entire structure.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers of multi-unit dwellings should be aware that under 22 M.R.S. § 1320-A, a confirmed case of lead poisoning or discovery of lead-based substances in any single unit obligates the department to inspect every unit in the building within 30 days. Compliant operators generally maintain records of prior lead inspections and remediation efforts so they can respond promptly and cooperatively when the department initiates a building-wide review. Keeping documentation of any lead hazard assessments and corrective actions taken is a common practice among operators seeking to demonstrate ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 22 M.R.S. § 1320-A, tenants living in multi-unit buildings have a right to know that a confirmed lead poisoning case or discovery of lead-based substances in their building can trigger a mandatory department inspection of all units within 30 days. If a tenant believes a lead hazard exists or that a child in their home has been lead-poisoned, they may report concerns to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to prompt the department's review process. Tenants can also reach out to local tenant-rights organizations or legal aid services to better understand how this provision may apply to their building.
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 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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