Cal. Civ. Code § 5:17-6.2
Building component replacement
Operative Text
(a) The following steps or a similar procedure that minimizes the disturbance of paint and the generation of dust shall be followed for all building component replacement intended to abate lead hazards: 1. Turn off and disconnect all electrical circuits present inside or near the component to be removed; 2. Lightly mist the component to be removed. Do not apply water to components containing electrical circuits; 3. Using a utility knife or other sharp instrument, carefully score all affected painted seams; 4. Remove any screws or other fasteners; 5. Using a flat pry instrument and a hammer, carefully pry the affected building component away from the surface to which it is attached. The pry bar should be inserted into the seam at the nail or other fastening device at one end of the component and prying pressure applied. This process should be repeated at each subsequent fastening location until the end of the component is reached and the component is freed; i. Use a pry point pad or softener, if necessary, to minimize damage to adjoining substrates; 6. Carefully remove or bend back all nails (or other fastening devices) and wrap removed components and nails in plastic sheeting and seal with duct tape; i. Exception to (a)6 above: Wrapping components in plastic is not required if the dwelling is vacant and the pathway to the truck or other waste containment site is lined with plastic; 7. HEPA vacuum any dust that may have accumulated behind the component removed; 8. New lead-free components shall not be brought into the work area until all dust-generating activity is complete and the dust has been cleaned up by at least one HEPA vacuuming; 9. If new lead-free components are to be applied to lead painted walls, ceilings, floors or any other lead-painted surface, regardless of whether it has been enclosed, caulk shall be applied to the perimeter of the back side of the replacement component to seal it before installation; 10. Replacement components shall be installed using standard carpentry practices; and 11. In the case of windows and doors, no friction surfaces coated with lead-based paint shall remain unless these components have been enclosed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter or unless all lead-based paint has been removed from these components in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. i. Exception to (a)11 above: If it can be determined clearly that hazardous levels of lead on metal doors and frames reside only in the primers, and that the primers were factory-applied and are in sound condition, then the primers themselves need not be abated or removed. Doors shall be operating properly, free from impact or abrasion between moving parts that will damage any surfaces. Any damage to the primer resulting from sample collection shall be repaired immediately in a manner that restores the integrity of the primer coat. (b) All replacement components installed shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23) except that the size of window and door openings shall not be required to be increased.
N.J.A.C. § 5:17-6.2 establishes a detailed, step-by-step procedure for replacing building components as a method of abating lead hazards in residential properties. The rule requires that work be performed in a way that minimizes paint disturbance and dust generation, covering everything from disconnecting electrical circuits and misting surfaces before removal to HEPA vacuuming, sealing replacement components with caulk, and ensuring no lead-painted friction surfaces remain on windows or doors unless properly enclosed or stripped. All replacement components must also conform to New Jersey's Uniform Construction Code under N.J.A.C. 5:23, with a limited exception allowing existing window and door opening sizes to remain unchanged.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers conducting lead-hazard abatement through building component replacement are expected to follow the procedural sequence outlined in N.J.A.C. § 5:17-6.2, or a comparable method that equally minimizes dust and paint disturbance. Compliant operators typically ensure that removed components and fasteners are wrapped in plastic sheeting and sealed, that HEPA vacuuming is completed before new lead-free components are introduced to the work area, and that caulk is applied to the back perimeter of any replacement component installed against a lead-painted surface. Operators also verify that windows and doors are free of lead-painted friction surfaces unless those surfaces have been enclosed or fully stripped in accordance with the chapter's requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in properties undergoing lead-hazard abatement have an interest in knowing that N.J.A.C. § 5:17-6.2 sets specific procedural standards designed to protect occupants from lead dust exposure during building component replacement work. If work appears to have been performed without dust-control measures—such as HEPA vacuuming or proper containment of removed materials—tenants may have grounds to raise a violation with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs or another applicable local authority. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help individuals understand whether the procedures followed in their home met the standards this provision requires.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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