Cal. Civ. Code § 254.30
Enforcement; penalties.
Operative Text
254.30 Enforcement; penalties. (1) Enforcement. (a) The department may enter, at any reasonable time, a dwelling or premises undergoing any lead hazard reduction to determine if all persons engaged in lead hazard reduction have been appropriately certified if required under s. 254.176. (b) The department may report any violation of ss. 254.11 to 254.178 or rules promulgated, or orders issued, under those sections to the district attorney of the county in which the dwelling is located. The district attorney shall enforce ss. 254.11 to 254.178 and rules promulgated, and orders issued, under those sections. If a circuit court determines that an owner of a rented or leased dwelling or premises has failed to comply with an order issued under ss. 254.11 to 254.178, the circuit court may order the occupants of the affected dwelling or premises to withhold rent in escrow until the owner of the dwelling or premises complies with the order. (c) Sections 254.11 to 254.178 do not limit the ability of the department to require abatement of human health hazards involving lead under s. 254.59. (2) Penalties. (a) Civil penalty. Any person who violates ss. 254.11 to 254.178 or rules promulgated, or orders issued, under those sections may be required to forfeit not less than $100 nor more than $5,000 per violation. Each day of continued violation constitutes a separate offense. (b) Criminal penalty. Any person who knowingly violates any provision of ss. 254.11 to 254.178 or any rule promulgated, or order issued, under those sections shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $5,000 per violation. The court may place the person on probation under s. 973.09 for a period not to exceed 2 years.
Wisconsin Statute § 254.30 establishes how the state enforces its lead hazard reduction laws (Wis. Stat. §§ 254.11–254.178) and what penalties apply when those laws are broken. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (or its designated department) can inspect dwellings undergoing lead hazard reduction work and refer violations to the local district attorney for prosecution. Civil penalties range from $100 to $5,000 per violation, with each day of continued noncompliance counting as a separate offense; knowing violations can also result in criminal fines in the same range and up to two years of probation. Courts also have the authority to order tenants to withhold rent into escrow when an owner has failed to comply with a lead-related order.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wis. Stat. § 254.30, property owners who rent or lease dwellings are subject to both civil and criminal exposure if they fail to comply with Wisconsin's lead hazard reduction requirements under §§ 254.11–254.178. Compliant operators generally ensure that all workers performing lead hazard reduction are properly certified as required, and that any orders issued by the department are addressed promptly—since each day of continued noncompliance can be treated as a separate violation carrying up to $5,000 in civil penalties. Operators should also be aware that a circuit court can order tenants to place rent payments into escrow until compliance is achieved, which can significantly affect cash flow.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wis. Stat. § 254.30 gives tenants a meaningful protection when a landlord has failed to comply with a court order related to lead hazard reduction under §§ 254.11–254.178: a circuit court may order that rent be withheld and held in escrow rather than paid to the owner until the owner comes into compliance. Tenants who believe their landlord is violating Wisconsin's lead hazard laws can report the situation to the relevant state department, which may then refer the matter to the local district attorney for enforcement. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help explain what documentation or steps are generally involved in pursuing 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 October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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