Start by completing the information request form.

Someone will contact you to help you complete the full application.

If your application is accepted, an inspector will schedule an appointment to visit your home.

Once we determine if your home contains exposed lead-based paint, we will discuss how to remediate the problem. Our approach depends on the extent of the lead-based paint found.

If your household income is under 80% of San Mateo County AMI, you are currently receiving Medi-Cal and/or WIC benefits, you have children under six years of age in the home, and/or someone in your household is pregnant, you will receive priority consideration if approved. You will need to verify household income on the application.

If you have more questions not answered above, please contact us at (650) 366-6597 or [email protected] for more information on our program.

The presence of lead-based paint can be harmful to residents’ health, particularly in older residences where paint may be peeling or chipped, and especially where young children are present. Lead can also spread beyond paint, contaminating the soil, dust, and water around a home. Learn more about lead-based health risks at cdc.gov.

If your home or residence was built before 1978, it likely was built with lead-based paint. Further, structures built before 1950 tend to have significantly higher levels of lead in paint. Qualified applicants to this program will receive testing by RTP and our certified inspectors to determine the severity of any lead present.

To qualify for this program, RTP and its contracted inspectors must inspect the residence directly using San Mateo County guidelines. This inspection is provided at no cost to program participants.

If you are a San Mateo County resident living in a home built before 1978, we can help you apply for no cost testing and possible remediation. Complete an information request form to get started.

Note, households under 80% of San Mateo County AMI, currently receiving Medi-Cal and/or WIC benefits, with children under six years of age in the home, and/or with a pregnancy, will receive priority consideration if approved. You can verify household income guidelines on the application.

Yes! If you own or reside in a mobile home, condominium, or apartment in San Mateo County, you can also apply for the Unleaded Homes San Mateo County program – provided that the condominium / apartment building is four units or less.

Note, applicants currently receiving Medi-Cal and/or WIC benefits, with low household income, and/or with children or pregnancy in the home, will receive priority consideration upon applying.

This program is funded by San Mateo County for San Mateo County residents. If you live in another county, we recommend you contact your county’s or specific city/town officials to inquire about lead-based paint solutions for your residence.

Santa Clara County residents can click here to search for more Santa Clara County information.

San Francisco City & County residents can click here to search for San Francisco information.

Testing and any recommended remediation is available at no cost to homeowners and residents in San Mateo County who are affected by lead-based paint safety issues in their residence.

Once a complete application is received and approved, an inspection by RTP’s certified inspectors will be scheduled. This inspection will determine the scope and urgency of lead-based paint safety issues inside and outside the residence, and multiple inspections may be required. Depending upon the severity of safety issues for residents, we will begin to schedule remediation work once all needed inspection(s) is complete. Based on the number of applicants we receive and the availability of our certified remediators, this can take multiple months between inspection and remediation.

Note, applicants currently receiving Medi-Cal and/or WIC benefits, with low household income, with children under six years-old in the home, and/or with a pregnancy in the home will receive priority consideration for testing upon applying.

RTP and its contractors will remove any chipping and peeling issues on the existing paint, and will seal the remaining paint with a lead-free paint layer.  This work will be done in accordance with the recommendations of the certified inspector’s report to the approved safety standards of the county.

Each home inspection will assess the urgency of lead-based paint safety in the residence.

The timeline between application and remediation depends on the availability of inspection and the severity of any lead-based paint issue in the residence. Typically, once remediation work begins, it can take a week to properly perform the work at a residence, but this will depend on the breadth and scope of remediation needed. 

Note, applicants currently receiving Medi-Cal and/or WIC benefits, with low household income, with children in the home, and/or residing in homes built before 1950 will receive priority consideration upon applying.

Many residences have been fitted with lead pipes. Currently, this program only addresses lead-based paint, as the potential for chipping and peeling provides heightened risk.

RTP only works with State of California-certified Lead Renovator contractors. Site visits to your residence will be conducted by RTP in partnership with these contractors and licensed inspectors. Copies of licenses and certifications will be available upon request. Any work done on your residence through this Unleaded Homes San Mateo County program application will be managed and contracted through RTP. RTP’s Contractors State License Board license is # 986653.

To properly address a residence’s lead-based paint, contractors will need full access and residents may need to vacate during the remediation process. In such cases, RTP will assist each resident with temporary housing and associated expenses, if needed. Note, we will provide a minimum 30-days for you to leave the residence before remediation work will begin. We will explain this more in-depth throughout the application and inspection process.

RTP only works with state-certified lead-based paint remediators who provide proof of insurance to cover risk of damage. When we work with you to schedule work, please advise us of any sensitive areas or issues in your home, and we will address specific concerns with you.

RTP offers additional repair and renovation work for income-qualifying homeowners throughout San Mateo County and northern Santa Clara County. More information can be found on our Safe at Home and Rebuilding Day program pages. Note, you may have to provide additional application information for these programs; please contact us for any questions.

RTP only accepts applications directly from the affected resident. If you are aware of a residence that may be affected by lead-paint safety issues, please forward our information and/or let us know at [email protected] or (650) 366-6597, and our outreach team will follow-up with the specific residence.

The Unleaded Homes San Mateo County program is only offered, at no cost, to county residents who qualify. See the eligibility guidelines on the Unleaded Homes application.