Lead Paint and RRP Compliance in Massachusetts
If your MA home was built before 1978, it almost certainly has lead paint somewhere — on window jambs, baseboard, exterior trim, or under newer coats.
When you renovate, you stir up lead dust. Lead dust is the primary cause of childhood lead poisoning. The EPA RRP rule exists to control this.
Here is what every MA homeowner should know.
When RRP Applies
The Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule applies when you disturb more than:
- 6 sq ft of interior painted surface OR
If your home was built before 1978, this almost always triggers RRP.
What RRP Requires
The contractor must:
✅ Be EPA RRP-certified (training certificate required) ✅ Provide the EPA "Renovate Right" pamphlet to the homeowner BEFORE work ✅ Contain the work area with plastic sheeting ✅ Use HEPA filtration during work ✅ Clean the area thoroughly with HEPA vacuum AND wet wipe ✅ Verify cleanliness with wipe samples ✅ Keep records for 3 years ✅ Use specific work practices that minimize dust generation
Penalties for Non-Compliance
EPA penalties for RRP violations can reach tens of thousands per day per violation. The MA Department of Public Health also enforces.
Beyond fines: a contractor caught violating RRP can have their HIC license revoked. Owners can be liable too.
Massachusetts-Specific Considerations
MA Lead Law (Chapter 111, sec 197): Stricter than federal RRP. Requires deleading of any home where a child under 6 will reside. Mandatory deleading is separate from RRP.
Tenant disclosure: If you own a pre-1978 rental property, you must disclose known lead hazards to tenants. Failure to disclose can result in steep penalties.
Real estate disclosure: When selling, pre-1978 homes must include the federal lead disclosure form. Buyers get 10 days to inspect for lead.
What We Do
Every RS Development Group field supervisor is RRP-certified. When we work on a pre-1978 home in Massachusetts:
✅ Provide Renovate Right pamphlet ✅ Set up containment with poly sheeting + tape ✅ Use HEPA-equipped sanders and saws ✅ Pre-mist surfaces before scraping ✅ Bag waste in sealed contractor bags ✅ HEPA vacuum + wet wipe at end of each work day ✅ Final clearance test before re-occupancy ✅ Document everything per EPA requirements
This adds cost to a renovation BUT it protects your family, your contractor, and your liability.
How to Verify a Contractor's RRP Certification
Ask for the EPA Firm Certification number. Verify at: epa.gov/lead (search Firm Search).
Anyone who cannot produce this should not work on a pre-1978 MA home — they are setting you up for EPA liability.
Free Inspection of Older MA Homes
If you own a pre-1978 home and are planning any renovation, we offer a free inspection with RRP-trained eyes — we will tell you what surfaces likely have lead and what containment will look like for your project.
📞 (774) 512-3176 📧 info@rs-developmentgroup.com
RRP-certified. In the trade since 2008. Latino-owned.
