Even the lawmakers who created Cleveland’s lead-safe requirements aren’t exempt from enforcement — and that’s exactly how it should work.
Earlier this month, Cleveland.com reported that City Councilman Kevin Bishop was issued seven code violation tickets across four rental properties he owns. The violations? Failure to obtain Lead Safe Certificates and failure to register properties as rentals — the very same requirements Bishop voted to create.
What Happened
City inspectors issued tickets at Bishop’s properties on Imperial Avenue, Rexford Avenue, Miles Avenue, and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The violations included failure to register as a rental property, failure to obtain a Lead Safe Certificate, and failure to register a vacant property. Each ticket carries a $200 fine under the “Residents First” legislation that Bishop and his fellow council members approved in 2024.
Following the tickets, Bishop filed paperwork to register all four rental properties.
Why This Matters for Cleveland Landlords
This story highlights something every Cleveland rental property owner needs to understand: the city is actively enforcing its lead-safe and rental registration requirements, and no one is getting a pass.
Cleveland’s lead-safe ordinance, passed in 2019, exists because more than 1,000 children in the city still test positive for lead poisoning every year. The law shifted Cleveland’s approach from reactive — addressing lead hazards only after a child was already poisoned — to preventive, requiring landlords to obtain Lead Safe Certificates proving their properties meet safety standards.
If you own rental property in Cleveland, here’s what you need to have in place:
- Lead Safe Certificate (LSC): Required for all rental properties. Properties must pass a lead inspection or risk assessment conducted by a certified professional.
- Rental Registration: All rental properties must be registered with the city.
- Ongoing Compliance: LSCs expire and must be renewed. Staying current isn’t optional.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re a first-time landlord or a sitting city councilman, the requirements are the same. Cleveland is enforcing its lead-safe laws, and the $200-per-violation fines add up quickly.
If your rental property needs a Lead Safe Certificate or you’re not sure where you stand with compliance, PbFree Ohio can help. We handle lead inspections, risk assessments, and clearance testing to get your property certified and keep it that way.
Contact PbFree Ohio today to schedule your lead inspection and stay compliant.
Original story: Cleveland councilman fined seven times for breaking rental rules he helped create — Cleveland.com, February 2026