I want to renovate the exterior of a building. What must I do?

The owner or contractor must:
notify affected parties before work begins;
use containment barriers;
Prohibit lead paint from going beyond the containment barriers; and
Remove visible lead paint chips and dust before completing work.

Who do I notify?

Owner responsibilities:

Notify tenants three business days before work begins (Form D)
If you have not already done so, provide tenants with the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) pamphlet, 'Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home', before work begins.
Have you tested the dust or soil in the work area for lead? If yes, and the results indicate lead contamination, post a sign within five business days of receiving written results. Remove the sign when (a) work is complete or (b) further tests show that no lead-contaminated dust or soil remains. (Form E)

Contractor responsibility:

Seventy-two hours before work starts on residential property, provide owner a copy of the US EPA pamphlet, 'Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home'.

Either the owner or the contractor must:

Notify the Department of Building Inspection before work begins. (Form B)
Notify contract and sub-contract bidders of any paint inspection reports before bid submittal.
post a 'Lead Work In Progress' if containment is needed to prevent lead paint from migrating to another property. Where signage is not possible, provide a letter to your neighbors. Remove the sign when lead work is complete (Sign 1 or Form C).

To pick up copies of Forms B-E and Sign 1, come to the Department of Building Inspection, 1660 Mission Street, San Francisco.

Do I have to test for lead before work can begin?

No. But if your building was built before 1979, and you don't test the exterior paint or coating for lead, you must presume that the coating contains lead.