NYC Local Laws · Defined
Local Law 31 of 2020: XRF lead-paint testing
Introduced X-ray fluorescence testing requirements for covered NYC residential properties within the City’s lead-paint framework.
New York City jurisdiction · Sources checked September 15, 2026. Law numbers repeat by year. These educational summaries are not legal advice or a complete compliance checklist. Later amendments, agency rules, building characteristics, and effective dates determine the requirements for a particular property. Use the linked City sources to confirm current obligations.
Why it matters
Testing coverage and record retention must be evaluated with later amendments and current HPD guidance. The original August 2025 testing milestone is past, not an upcoming deadline. A testing report should identify the inspected spaces and results; a seller’s general statement that the building is lead-free is not a substitute.
In practice
A project example
An acquisition team matches apartment testing records to the actual unit inventory, then investigates missing units and the current requirements for common areas.
Technical references
General educational guidance from KOW Building Consultants. Examples are illustrative, not project records. The applicable contract, standard, program, and jurisdiction control the requirements for a specific assignment.