JAMESTOWN, NY – The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) recently announced the launch of its nation-leading Lead Rental Registry Program, designed to better protect children from dangerous lead exposure in rental housing. Jamestown, New York (ZIP code 14701) is one of 25 communities of concern selected for the initiative. The state regulations were finalized last week and the Chautauqua County Health Department (CCHD), in coordination with community partners, have begun implementing the program locally.
About the Lead Rental Registry Program
The Lead Rental Registry Program creates a proactive, statewide system to identify and address lead hazards in rental housing—finding and fixing lead paint risks before children are exposed. The law requires that:
Residential rental properties built before 1980 with two or more units undergo inspections to verify they are free of lead hazards.
Property owners must obtain a Lead Safety Certificate for all rented units.
Identified hazards must be corrected using lead-safe work practices and completed promptly.
Compliance will be monitored and enforced to ensure safer housing conditions.
About Lead Poisoning
While major strides have been made in removing lead from gasoline, plumbing, consumer products, and building materials, older housing remains the primary source of childhood lead exposure. Homes built before 1980 — particularly those with peeling or chipping lead-based paint — continue to put children at risk.
- The 14701 zip code has the sixth highest rate of childhood lead poisoning in New York State.
- Lead exposure often comes from deteriorating paint and dust in older homes.
- No level of lead exposure is safe, especially for young children.
- Lead poisoning can cause irreversible brain damage, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and other permanent health impacts.
- Routine maintenance and safe repairs can prevent exposure.
Photo: dust on a fingertip to show trace amounts of lead can poison a child.
Local Need and Local Action
Chautauqua County’s older housing stock highlights the need for this initiative. More than 86% of homes in the 14701 ZIP code were built before 1970—well before lead paint was banned in 1978. These figures exceed state averages and underscore the urgency of taking proactive steps to reduce lead hazards.
“Jamestown’s older housing stock can pose challenges to children’s health and create economic burdens for families,” said City of Jamestown Mayor Kimberly Ecklund. “The city is committed to supporting county and state-led initiatives, working to ensure homes are safe and families have the resources they need to protect their children and strengthen our community.”
Over the past three years, an average of 60 children each year in Chautauqua County have tested above the state’s action level of 5 micrograms per deciliter, with another 10–20 children testing just below that threshold — levels still associated with long-term impacts. On average, eight out of ten lead-poisoned children in Chautauqua County live in rental housing.
Lacey Wilson, Chautauqua County Public Health Director emphasized the importance of the upcoming program. “This registry is a major step toward breaking the cycle of childhood lead poisoning in our community. By identifying hazards early and supporting property owners in making lead-safe improvements, we can create safer homes and better health outcomes for children across Chautauqua County.”
The New York State Department of Health has already awarded nearly $16 million to 20 local health departments to build capacity and assist the communities of concern in their county with implementing the Lead Rental Registry. Chautauqua County receives $601,300 per year over the course of five years to implement the program.
In the last year, the CCHD has expanded its Lead Poisoning Prevention team by more than 50% and recently opened a satellite office at Jamestown City Hall, increasing accessibility for landlords, tenants, and families. The team recently launched an updated website outlining the program details and notification was sent to landlords and renters in the program area in 2025, informing them about the upcoming Lead Rental Registry Program and offering free lead inspections in advance of the 2026 implementation.
Training and Certification Opportunities for Contractors and Landlords
As part of local preparation for the Lead Rental Registry Program, contractors and landlords are required to become EPA-certified in lead-safe renovation, repair, and painting. Federal law requires lead-safe certification for any work that disturbs painted surfaces in housing built before 1978. Proper training is essential to prevent contractors and property owners in communities of concern — including Jamestown — from unintentionally creating new lead hazards while attempting to address peeling or chipping paint.
To support compliance, Chautauqua County offers free EPA-approved training opportunities for contractors, landlords, and DIYers who want to learn general lead-safe work practices. These training opportunities help provide tools and knowledge needed to make homes safer, protect families, and support successful implementation of the Lead Rental Registry Program. For more information about classes and how to sign up, call the CCHD’s Lead Rental Registry Program office at 716-661-8088.
Resources:
Lead Rental Registry Program:
- Chautauqua County Health Department’s site: HealthyCHQ.com
- NYSDOH Lead Rental Registry Program: health.ny.gov/LeadRentalRegistry
- NYSDOH Lead Rental Registry Program factsheet: https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2626.pdf
About Chautauqua County Health Department - The Chautauqua County Health Department is the leading Public Health organization in Chautauqua County dedicated to the support of the community’s health. The Health Department takes innovative approaches to provide technical assistance to partner organizations, and offers various programs and services in order to help prevent disease, protect the public’s health and promote our community’s overall health and wellness. For more information visit www.HealthyCHQ.com.
