Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 22, §§ 1315–1331 (housing) § 1326
Injunction requiring removal
Operative Text
If the lead-based substance remains an environmental lead hazard at the expiration of 30 days or at the expiration of an extension given by the commissioner pursuant to section 1321 , that is a violation of this chapter and the State, in addition to any other remedies it has, may seek a mandatory injunction ordering the environmental lead hazard removed by a suitable 3rd party at the expense of the owner of the dwelling, premises, residential child-occupied facility, child care facility, premises of the family child care provider or nursery school.
Under Maine law at 22 M.R.S. § 1326, if a lead-based substance that qualifies as an environmental lead hazard has not been remediated within 30 days—or within any extension granted by the commissioner under § 1321—the property owner is in violation of the chapter. The State of Maine may then pursue a mandatory injunction as one of its available remedies, which could compel a third party chosen by the State to remove the hazard. The cost of that third-party remediation would be borne by the owner of the affected dwelling, facility, or premises.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Section 1326 of Title 22 makes clear that property owners who fail to resolve an environmental lead hazard within the 30-day window—or any commissioner-approved extension under § 1321—face the possibility of a court-ordered mandatory injunction. Compliant operators generally track remediation deadlines carefully, document all abatement work, and communicate proactively with the commissioner if an extension may be needed. If the State obtains an injunction, the owner bears the financial cost of whatever third-party remediation the court orders, which can be substantially higher than costs incurred through voluntary, timely 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. § 1326, tenants living in a dwelling where an environmental lead hazard has not been addressed within the required timeframe may have grounds to report the ongoing hazard to the State, which holds independent authority to seek a mandatory court injunction compelling remediation at the owner's expense. Tenants in dwellings, child care facilities, or similar covered premises can document the hazard and the timeline of any notices or extensions as part of understanding their situation. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with Maine's lead hazard statutes can help tenants understand what reporting and enforcement paths may be available to them.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation