Expert assistance clearing HPD and DOHMH lead violations. Re-inspection, testing, documentation, and HPD form filing. Fast resolution, avoid daily penalties.
Get Clearance HelpLetting tenants move back in after lead paint work without passing dust wipe clearance can lead to HPD violations and legal liability.
Solution: Immediate clearance testing → Remediation if needed → HPD filing
If initial dust wipe results exceed clearance standards, additional cleaning and re-testing are required before tenants can return.
Solution: HEPA cleaning protocol → Re-testing → Clearance certification
NYC dust wipe clearance is required after work disturbing more than two square feet of known or presumed lead-based paint in a pre-1960 building where a child under six lives. Other agency or project requirements may also apply; check the procedure governing the work.
Solution: Retroactive clearance testing → Documentation → HPD compliance filing
Missing or failed dust clearance after renovation work is among the most time-sensitive lead compliance issues in NYC. If tenants reoccupy a unit after renovation without completed dust wipe clearance, the building owner faces not only HPD penalties but also potential civil liability for lead exposure. Our team specializes in emergency clearance testing — we can collect samples within 24 hours and coordinate with our NYS ELAP-certified laboratory for expedited results, typically within 48-72 hours for urgent cases.
When initial dust wipe clearance samples fail, the path forward requires professional remediation. We provide detailed guidance on HEPA vacuuming and wet cleaning protocols that meet EPA RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) requirements. After remediation is complete, we return for re-testing and document the full chain of remediation and clearance for your HPD file. This documentation protects you against future claims and demonstrates due diligence in case of tenant complaints or DOHMH investigations.
NYC requires dust wipe clearance after work that disturbs more than two square feet of known or presumed lead-based paint in a pre-1960 building where a child under six lives, and owners must give tenants a copy of the results. To certify correction of an HPD lead violation, HPD asks for clearance results from a NYS ELAP-certified laboratory, the sampler's Certificate of Training and an affidavit with the sample date and apartment address. Keep these records for at least 10 years.
Our clearance protocol samples every room where work occurred, plus common areas that renovation dust may reach. In each room we take at least three samples: one floor sample from the center of the room, one window sample (or the most accessible window if multiple exist), and one from the entryway floor to capture any dust drift. All samples must be analyzed by a NYS ELAP-certified laboratory with turnaround times documented. We prepare the complete clearance package — including chain-of-custody forms, lab reports, inspector certifications, and a professional cover letter — so your clearance records are ready, with HPD filing available.
Fast re-testing and HPD filing to resolve clearance violations.
Schedule ServiceDust wipe clearance may be required after covered lead work or under an HPD or DOHMH order. Requirements depend on the work performed, the property, and the applicable agency procedure. Rapid Lead Testing provides dust sampling and laboratory coordination for qualifying projects.
Clearance results are compared against the current NYC dust standards: below 4 µg/ft² for floors, 32 µg/ft² for windowsills and 80 µg/ft² for window wells. We coordinate directly with property managers and landlords to schedule inspections within tight turnover timelines, helping you avoid delays and maintain compliance.
Last reviewed: July 11, 2026. Rapid Lead Testing explains inspection and compliance workflows; official requirements and enforcement details are controlled by the government sources below.
This page is informational and is not legal advice. Verify project-specific obligations with NYC HPD, the EPA, HUD, or qualified legal counsel.