Toledo Council updates lead safety ordinance and compliance roll-out plan

The Toledo City Council convened on April 15, 2025, to discuss significant updates regarding lead safety regulations for residential rental properties. The meeting focused on an ordinance aimed at repealing and replacing the existing Chapter 17-60, which governs lead safety compliance in rental units.

The ordinance introduces three primary changes. First, the responsibility for issuing lead-safe certificates will shift from the Health Department to the Department of Housing and Community Development. This department will also oversee the quality of reports submitted by local lead inspectors, with the authority to reject deficient reports and prevent further submissions for a specified period. Second, compliance deadlines will be adjusted, with new phased-in compliance dates set to begin at the end of this year and continuing through June 2029. Lastly, the enforcement mechanism remains unchanged, with violations still being referred to Toledo municipal court.

Council members expressed concerns about the potential impact of these changes on housing availability and affordability. Councilman Driscoll highlighted the challenges property owners may face in meeting compliance requirements, particularly in historic districts where certain renovations are restricted. He emphasized the need for financial incentives to support landlords, especially smaller, local operators who may struggle with the costs of compliance.

The average cost for property owners to achieve compliance was discussed, with estimates around $12,000 based on recent lead stabilization grants. However, the variability in costs depending on property maintenance was noted, with some landlords potentially facing much higher expenses.

Councilman Sarand pointed out that approximately 52,000 rental units in Toledo were built before 1978, with a significant number needing to comply with the new ordinance. The council acknowledged the need for more lead-safe inspectors, currently numbering around 51, to handle the anticipated workload.

Outreach efforts to educate property managers and landlords about the new regulations were also a topic of discussion. The Department of Housing and Community Development has been actively engaging with local realtors and property management groups to ensure compliance awareness.

In response to concerns about funding and administrative support for the ordinance, it was clarified that the program is funded through the city’s general fund budget, rather than relying solely on federal grants. The city is also pursuing additional grant opportunities to support lead hazard control initiatives.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from city officials to continue addressing the challenges posed by lead exposure in housing, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the city, property owners, and community organizations to ensure the health and safety of Toledo's residents.