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Property Sales and Requirements for Septic Systems

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King County

Seattle & King County Public Heath District (KCHD) requires all real properties with an on-site septic system sold within the county to have an inspection done on the entire septic system by a licensed OSM. The inspection must be completed and a King County form filled out and submitted to the County prior to property sale. The form may only be submitted by a licensed company.

As part of the inspection, there is a requirement by King County to see if there is an as-built on file to complete the inspection properly. If an as-built does not exist in the County records then the OSM is required to prepare a drawing as part of the inspection. This mean the inspector will have to spend extra time locating all components and create a drawing to the county standard for submittal.

If the system is a gravity system, the county requires a stress test be performed on all sites. This takes additional time and requires up to 450 gallons of water being put into the drain field area.

For inspection on all septic systems with pumps or electrical components, electricity & water is required to be turned on to perform proper and complete inspections.

FloHawks can help with the entire process from performing the work to completing the entire reporting process as required by the Health District.

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  • Record Drawing

    A record drawing is required for all sites that do not have a current as-built on file with the County Health District. Licensed OSM’s may create the drawing as required by the County.

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  • As-Built Drawing

    To perform a proper inspection for any on-site septic, an as-built or drawing of the home/building and septic location with all components is critical. Most homes have had some kind of drawing done when the septic system was installed. To request one from the County you may fax in a request or go to the Health Office in person.

    FloHawks may also try and locate a copy for you as part of the pumping and inspection process.

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  • Proprietary System Inspection

    If you live on a proprietary septic system you may be required to inspect your system annually or more often depending on the system. If you are selling your home the system may also be listed on the title. The real property sale inspection and pumping also applies for these types of systems. See OSM inspection process using link below.

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  • Parcel Numbers for Property

    Part of the RSS application requires a parcel number be provided. Home ownership and addresses change, but the parcel number does not.

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  • Health Letter

    Health letters are no longer required for most home/property sales. If a bank or lending agency requires one, the OSM report as completed for the county is now used for that purpose.

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Kitsap County

Kitsap County Health Department (KCHD) requires all real property with an on-site septic system sold within the county to have an inspection done prior to transfer of property. The inspection must be performed by a licensed company. This inspection of the entire septic system must document how it is functioning prior to change of ownership. The licensed company performing the work must send in a report within 30 days to the county through online RME (link).

If deficiencies are found on the septic system, it is recommended that they be fixed before a report is filed. If they are not fixed KCHD may hold its approval until repairs are completed and another report is filed by a licensed company.

For inspection on all septic systems with pumps or electrical components, electricity & water is required to be turned on to perform proper and complete inspections.

Visit Site

  • As-Built Drawing

    To perform a proper inspection for any on-site septic, an as-built or drawing of the home/building and septic location with all components is critical. Most homes have had some kind of drawing done when the septic system was installed. You may also try and locate a copy from the TCHD at link below.

    FloHawks may also try and locate a copy for you as part of the pumping, and inspection process.

    Visit Site

  • Proprietary System Inspection

    If you live on a proprietary septic system you may be required to inspect your system annually or more often depending on the system. If you are selling your home, the system may also be listed on the title. The real property sale inspection and pumping applies the same for these types of systems.

  • Parcel Numbers for Property

    Part of the RSS application requires a parcel number be provided. Home ownership and addresses change, but the parcel number does not.

    Visit Site

  • Health Letter

    Health letters are no longer required for most home/property sales. If a bank or lending agency requires one, the inspection, as completed by the contractor and received by the county, can be used for that purpose.

    Visit Site

  • Marine Recovery Area (MRA) Inspection

    The State and Counties have designated MRA areas within the state that are located near shorelines, lakes, rivers & streams. These areas are sensitive because of the impact to fish, shell fish and other marine animals. Inspection in these areas may be required more often, but if required, home owners will be notified by the counties. If you are notified of this requirement, it will need to be listed as part of the inspection, and reporting process. There is no additional cost.

    Visit Site

  • Online RME

    The Online RME (link) is a website that is used by many Health Districts as a tracking and reporting system for on-site septic maintainers. You may follow the link and input your address to see what work has been performed and reported to the county.

    Visit Site

  • Operation & Maintenance Inspection & Reporting (O&M)

    If the on-site septic has a required O&M being perform annually, this may be acceptable for a point of sale inspection depending on specific system requirements. At the point of sale, any non-gravity system requires a maintenance contract.

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Mason County

Mason County Health Department requires all real property with an on-site septic system sold within the County to have an inspection done prior to transfer of property. The inspection must be performed by a licensed company. This inspection of the entire septic system must document how it is functioning prior to change of ownership. The licensed company performing the work must send in a report within 30 days to the county.

If deficiencies are found on the septic system, it is recommended that they be fixed before a report is filed. If they are not fixed, Mason County may hold its approval until repairs are completed and another report is filed by a licensed company.

For inspection on all septic systems with pumps or electrical components, electricity & water is required to be turned on to perform proper and complete inspections.

  • As-Built Drawing

    To perform a proper inspection for any on-site septic an as-built or drawing of the home/building and septic location with all components is critical. Most homes have had some kind of drawing done at when it was installed. You may also try and locate a copy from the Mason County website at (link).

    FloHawks may also try and locate a copy for you as part of the pumping and inspection process.

  • Proprietary System Inspection

    If you live on a proprietary septic system, you may be required to inspect your system annually or more depending on the system. If you are selling your home, the system may also be listed on the title. The real property sale inspection and pumping also applies for these types of systems.

  • Parcel Numbers for Property

    Part of the RSS application requires a parcel number be provided. Home ownership and addresses change, but the parcel number does not.

  • Inspection Requirements at Time of Sale

    The State and Counties have designated MRA areas ( link) within the state that are located near shorelines, lakes, rivers & streams. These areas are sensitive because of the impact to fish, shell fish and other marine animals. Inspection in these areas may be required more often, but if required, home owners will be notified by the counties. If you are notified of this requirement, it will need to be listed as part of the inspection and reporting process. There is no additional cost.

    Visit Site

Pierce County

Tacoma Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) requires all real property with an on-site septic system sold within the county to have an RSS inspection done prior to transfer of property. The RSS inspection must be performed by a licensed company. This inspection of the entire septic system must document how it is functioning prior to change of ownership. As part of the requirement all septic vessels / tanks must be pumped as part of the inspection process. The licensed company performing the work must send a report within 30 days to the county through Online RME (link) and pay the county fee for pumping and inspection.

TPCHD also requires a RSS report be completed and paid for by the property owner either online, at the county or by a company on behalf of the owner. The County fee is $250.00 to file the report. You may find the RSS report here.

If deficiencies are found on the septic system, it is recommended that they be fixed before a report is filed. If they are not fixed TPCHD may hold its approval until repairs are completed and another report is filed by a licensed company.

For inspection on all septic systems with pumps or electrical components, electricity & water is required to be turned on to perform proper and complete inspections.

FloHawks can help with the entire process from performing the work to completing the entire reporting process as required by the Health District.

Visit Site

  • As-Built Drawing

    To perform a proper inspection for any on-site septic, an as-built or drawing of the home / building and septic location with all components is critical. Most homes have had some kind of drawing done when the septic system was installed. You may also try and locate a copy from the TPCHD by clicking on link below.

    FloHawks may also try and locate a copy for you as part of the pumping, inspection and RSS process.

    Visit Site

  • Health Letter

    Health letters are no longer required for most home/property sales. If a bank or lending agency requires one, the RSS as completed for the county can be used for that purpose.

    Visit RSS Process

  • Pumping & Real Property Sales Inspection Requirement

    Real property sales inspection is part of the RSS process.

    Visit RSS Process

  • Marine Recovery Area (MRA) Inspection

    The state and counties have designated MRA areas within the state that are located near shorelines, lakes, rivers & streams. These areas are sensitive because of the impact to fish, shell fish and other marine animals. Inspection in these areas may be required more often, but if required, home owners will be notified by the counties. If you are notified of this requirement it will need to be listed as part of the RSS application, inspection, and reporting process. There is no additional cost.

    Visit Site

  • Proprietary System Inspection

    If you live on a proprietary septic system you may be required to inspect your system annually or more often depending on the system. If you are selling your home the system may also be listed on the title. The real property sale inspection and pumping also applies for these types of systems. See RSS process by clicking link below.

    Visit Site

  • Online RME

    The Online RME is a website that is used by many Health Districts as a tracking, and reporting system for on-site septic maintainers. You may follow the link and input your address to see what work has been performed and reported to the county.

    Visit Site

  • Parcel Numbers for Property

    Part of the RSS application requires a parcel number be provided. Home ownership and addresses change, but the parcel number does not.

    Visit Site

Thurston County

Thurston County Health Department (TCHD) requires all real property with an on-site septic system sold within the county to have an inspection done prior to transfer of property. The inspection must be performed by a licensed company. This inspection of the entire septic system must document how it is functioning prior to change of ownership. The licensed company performing the work must send in a report within 30 days to the county through Online RME (link) and pay the county fee for inspection and pumping.

If deficiencies are found on the septic system, it is recommended that they be fixed before a report is filed. If they are not fixed TPCHD may hold its approval until repairs are completed and another report is filed by a licensed company.

For inspection on all septic systems with pumps or electrical components, electricity & water is required to be turned on to perform proper and complete inspections.

Visit Site

  • As-Built Drawing

    To perform a proper inspection for any on-site septic an as-built or drawing of the home/building and septic location with all components is critical. Most homes have had some kind of drawing done when the septic system was installed. You may also try and locate a copy from the TCHD at (link).

    FloHawks may also try and locate a copy for you as part of the pumping, inspection process.

    Visit Site

  • Proprietary System Inspection

    If you live on a proprietary septic system you may be required to inspect your system annually or more often depending on the system. If you are selling your home the system may also be listed on the title. The real property sale inspection and pumping also applies for these types of systems. See OSM inspection process using link below.

    Visit Site

  • Parcel Numbers for Property

    Part of the RSS application requires a parcel number be provided. Home owners and even addresses change, but the parcel number does not.

    Visit Site

  • Health Letter

    Health letters are no longer required for most home/ property sales. If a bank or lending agency requires one, the RSS as completed for the county can be used for that purpose.

    Visit Site

  • Marine Recovery Area (MRA) Inspection

    The State and Counties have designated MRA areas within the state that are located near shorelines, lakes, rivers & streams. These areas are sensitive because of the impact to fish, shell fish and other marine animals. Inspection in these areas may be required more often, but if required, home owners will be notified by the counties. If you are notified of this requirement, it will need to be listed as part of the inspection, and reporting process. There is no additional cost.

    Visit Site

  • Online RME

    The Online RME (link) is a website that is used by many Health Districts as a tracking, and reporting system for on-site septic maintainers. You may follow the link and input your address to see what work has been performed and reported to the county.

    Visit Site

  • Operation & Maintenance Inspection & Reporting (O&M)

    If the on-site septic has a required O&M being perform annually, this may be acceptable for a point of sale inspection if the work has been done within the past 1 year.

    Visit Site

  • Water Shed Septic Inspection

    The County requires inspections in water shed areas of on-site septic systems on an annual bases. Water shed areas like Henderson water shed inspections may also be used at point of sale if work has been performed within the last 60 days. Paperwork for this is now part of the online RME process.

    Visit Site

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