Is a Septic Compliance inspection required at the time of a home sale/purchase?

There are currently over 1,200 septic systems within the City of North Oaks. A common question is whether the City requires a septic compliance inspection at the point of sale of a home. The following are the basic facts regarding septic systems in North Oaks: 

• There is currently NO City requirement for a full "point of sale" septic compliance inspection when a home transfers ownership. If it is running without issue, it just goes along as is. 
• The City requires a compliance inspection and a Certificate of Compliance: a) Before issuing a building permit when altering an existing structure to add a bedroom. b) In Shoreland areas, before the issuance of a building permit, that will result in increased lot coverage. c) When a parcel with an existing system undergoes development, redevelopment, or subdivision.
• For maintenance purposes and preservation of soils/natural environment, there IS a City requirement to pump each home's septic tanks every two years. Maintainers send maintenance pumping reports to City Hall, and the City sends reminder letters when pumping is due. Maintenance pump reports are NOT a full septic compliance inspection.
• Three situations could trigger a replacement septic system to meet current Minnesota Pollution Control standards:
  • If the septic system fails or if there is surfacing effluent. Immediate correction/replacement is required.
  • If the buyer or seller chooses to have a full septic Compliance Inspection done and it comes back as non-compliant, this would trigger a two-year window to replace the system. This replacement does not hold up a sale; the two-year replacement window stays with whomever the homeowner is, with the replacement cost typically negotiated into the home sale. * Note: Per MN pollution control, cesspool systems are now deemed non-compliant (open bottom tanks). 
  • Septic systems are sized and installed with capacity based on the number of bedrooms. If an owner of the home does remodeling on the residence and it will impact the number of bedrooms, the building permit process will require bringing the septic system into compliance.
  • When a parcel having an existing system undergoes development, redevelopment, or subdivision

The full septic ordinance can be found HERE. 

Contact City Hall at 651-792-7750 for Information on the type of system, the most current pumping dates, and if there is an existing septic compliance inspection on file.