Do I need certification to sell a home in Chester?

If your Chester property was built before 1978, local law may require lead-safe certification before the sale can transfer to a new owner. We can typically schedule and complete testing within your closing timeline.

Does my daycare need to be certified in Chester?

Yes, childcare facilities in pre-1978 buildings are covered by Chester's ordinance and need certification to renew or apply for a license.

Who performs the inspection in Chester?

A certified lead inspection professional performs the visual inspection and dust-wipe sampling, and an accredited laboratory analyzes the samples.

5th Street and Avenue of the States, Chester, Pennsylvania

Chester, PA

Chester Lead-Safe Certification

Rental properties, home sales, and daycares in Chester may be required to obtain lead-safe certification under local ordinance. From $99, every price published.

Required every 3 years under Chester Lead Poisoning Prevention & Lead Hazard Control Ordinance (City of Chester Code Ch. 174 "Building Construction", Art. IV, §§174-18 through 174-22).

Get my price (610) 801-1558

EPA-certified technicians
Every inspection performed by a certified professional.
We call back within 1 business hour
No phone tag.
Lab results in 2-3 days
Accredited-lab dust wipe analysis.
We file with your city
Your certificate is submitted to the municipal portal for you.

Prefer to talk it through? Call (610) 801-1558

The requirement in Chester

Chester Lead Poisoning Prevention & Lead Hazard Control Ordinance (City of Chester Code Ch. 174 "Building Construction", Art. IV, §§174-18 through 174-22)

Applies when: Rental license renewal, Property transfer / sale, Daycare licensing
Recertification cycle: Every 3 years
Penalty for non-compliance: Penalty amount not yet published for this jurisdiction; non-compliance typically results in denial or non-renewal of your rental license.

“About 81% of residential properties in Delaware County were built before 1980, causing nearly 250 Delaware County children to still be poisoned every year. Previously, landlords were only required to fix defective surface conditions - this ordinance requires certification regardless of whether a child resides in the property.”
— Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland, City of Chester, on passage of Chester's 2023 lead ordinance

Read the full guide to Chester's ordinance

Selling your home?

If your Chester home was built before 1978, local law may require a lead-safe certification before the property can transfer to a new owner. Realtors and sellers: get ahead of closing delays by scheduling an inspection now.

Why it matters in Chester

285 children

had a confirmed elevated blood lead level in Delaware County

3.06% of the 9,303 Delaware County children ages 0-71 months tested in 2023.

Source: PA Dept. of Health, 2023 Childhood Lead Surveillance Annual Report, Table 12 (2023)

23.75%

of Delaware County children 0-71 months were tested for lead in 2023

Source: PA Dept. of Health, 2023 Childhood Lead Surveillance Annual Report, Table 12 (2023)

37 of 49

Delaware County municipalities have at least one reported child lead case

The average Delaware County home was built in 1956.

Source: Delaware County Health Department, Lead Free 1-2-3 (2024)

Pricing

Flat-rate pricing based on the number of bedrooms or units in the property.

Property size	Price
1 Bedroom	$99
2 Bedroom	$139
3 Bedroom	$179
4 Bedroom	$219
5 Bedroom	$269

Flat rate. No call for a quote. Larger properties or portfolios: request a custom quote through the booking form below.

Request your certification

Tell us about the property and see your exact price before you book. Already know your appointment window? Book and pay online.

Chester FAQ

The 1724 Chester Courthouse, the oldest US public building in continuous use