Pre-1978 Houses

If the paint on your pre-1978 structure can be certified to be free of paint that contains lead, it will fall under an exemption to the Repair, Renovation and Painting (RRP) rules. These exemptions include:

* Home or child-occupied facility built 1978 or later

* Work that is performed for free (e.g., no exchange of money, goods, or services) *

* Work performed by do-it-yourselfers on their own homes *

* Work that is performed during an emergency (i.e., a hazardous, non-routine situation that could either threaten public health or cause substantial property damage)

* Housing that has already been determined in writing by a certified inspector or risk assessor to be free of paint or other surfaces that contain lead in a certain amount (see the regulation for details)

* Zero bedroom dwellings

* Minor repairs that disturb 6 square feet or less of paint per room in the interior or 20 square feet or less of paint in the exterior (Although California laws do not allow for any lead dust hazards)

* Elderly housing (unless children reside there)

*Source: CAR Legal Q&A. Please note that these are federal guidelines, and the state of California, local counties and cities have additional rules and laws that must be followed.