Lead law · Wayne County, Michigan
Lead law in Wayne County
How federal EPA RRP, Michigan PA 434, and local Wayne County enforcement combine in Detroit, Dearborn, and the rest of the county. Last reviewed May 8, 2026.
Pre-1978 stock
≈ 285,000
housing units across Wayne County built before lead paint was banned in residential construction.
Local enforcement
Wayne County is the densest pre-1978 market in Michigan (≈ 285k units). Detroit BSEED can issue blight tickets and condemn for occupancy. The Wayne County Health Department has independent EBLL inspection authority. EPA Region 5 has historically prioritized Wayne County RRP enforcement — the federal $47K-per-violation civil penalty is real risk on every Detroit pre-1978 renovation.
Rental-cert programs
Detroit BSEED (Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department) administers Detroit's Certificate of Compliance program for rental properties. It requires an inspection that includes deteriorated-paint citation authority. Enforcement has been historically inconsistent across neighborhoods. Outside Detroit, individual cities (Dearborn, Westland, etc.) run their own rental-licensing programs at varying levels of rigor.
Health department contact
Wayne County Health Department
www.waynecounty.com/departments/hhvs/health-and-human-services.aspx
Top pre-1978 ZIPs in Wayne
ZIP codes with the highest concentration of pre-1978 housing stock — these are the geographies where RRP triggers most frequently and where EBLL referrals tend to cluster.
The federal floor still applies
Whatever the local enforcement posture in Wayne, federal EPA RRP requirements (40 CFR Part 745 Subpart E) apply on every renovation that meets the trigger thresholds: pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facility, more than 6 sq ft interior or 20 sq ft exterior of painted surface disturbed, or window replacement / demolition. The work must be performed by an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm. Civil penalties run up to $47,357 per violation per day under TSCA § 16.
ECT covers the EPA piece in Wayne County.
EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm NAT-F334542-1 (certified for purposes of TSCA § 402). $550 flat, captured at booking, 24-hour compliance packet.
Not legal advice
Andrae Washington, JD (EPA RRP Certified Lead Renovator R-I-99273-26-01409) authored this post. Andrae Washington holds a JD, but ECT is not a law firm and does not practice law. This page is general guidance current as of May 8, 2026, not legal advice for your specific situation. For decisions that turn on the facts of your sale, lease, renovation, or rental dispute, consult a licensed Michigan attorney.
For lead-paint questions, EPA-required pamphlets, certified-firm verification, or to report a suspected violation, call EPA's National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).