Sale of Home – Required Septic Inspection

State law requires a Compliance Inspection of an individual sewage treatment system to be conducted whenever a property in Dellwood is “transferred”.  In addition to sales, a transfer may include probate, court decrees, gift transfers, contracts for deed, and other transactions which result in a change in ownership or occupancy.

Dellwood Ordinance Chapter 51 adopts the State Statute and the Washington County Development Code Chapter Four, plus other provisions.

Failure to conduct a required Compliance Inspection is a Misdemeanor Offense.  Continued use of a non-compliant system can also result in administrative fines and penalties including discontinuance of the system. Individual Sellers and Transferors as well as Real Estate Brokers and Agents and other persons representing parties to a transfer are responsible to see that a required inspection is done by a person who is approved and qualified to perform the inspection.

Further, a Certificate of compliance, or a Notice of Non-compliance, must be filed with the City Clerk within the prescribed period of time.

Expenses incurred by the City in enforcing these requirements can result in a lien being imposed upon the property and being certified to the County Auditor for inclusion on the property tax statements.