El Paso County No Longer Requires Septic Inspections to Sell a Home - Here's What Buyers and Sellers Should Know

Updated August 2026

If you've sold a home with a septic system in El Paso County before, you're probably familiar with the required transfer-of-title septic inspection.

That requirement has officially changed.

Beginning July 11, 2026, El Paso County Public Health no longer requires a certified Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) inspection before transferring ownership of a property with a septic system.

While this removes one county requirement, it doesn't necessarily eliminate the need for a septic inspection.

Here's what changed and what hasn't.

What Changed?

On May 27, 2026, the El Paso County Board of Health voted to remove the transfer-of-title inspection requirement from the revised Chapter 8 regulations.

The rule officially ended on July 11, 2026.

This means homeowners are no longer required to submit a Property Sale Acceptance Document before selling property with an onsite wastewater treatment system.

In short:

Before July 11, 2026

• Certified septic inspection required

• County acceptance required before closing

• Transfer paperwork submitted to El Paso County Public Health

After July 11, 2026

• No county inspection requirement

• No county approval required

• Program becomes voluntary

Does That Mean You Should Skip the Inspection?

Usually, no.

The county removed the mandate but they continue to encourage property sale inspections because they remain one of the best ways to identify expensive septic problems before closing.

Many systems appear to function normally while hiding issues such as:

• Failed absorption fields

• Tank deterioration

• Baffle damage

• Improper maintenance

• Drain field saturation

• Illegal modifications

These repairs can easily cost thousands - or even tens of thousands - of dollars.

Some Lenders May Still Require One

One important detail many buyers and sellers overlook:

Some lenders continue requiring a septic inspection before they'll fund the loan. Most still require water quality testing, which Arrow Home Inspections can help you perform.

Because lending requirements vary, buyers should verify inspection requirements with their lender early in the transaction rather than waiting until closing.

Seller Disclosure Rules Have Not Changed

Although the county inspection requirement has ended, Colorado disclosure requirements remain the same.

If a seller knows about problems with their septic system, those issues must still be disclosed to prospective buyers.

Removing the county mandate does not remove a seller's obligation to disclose known material defects.

Why Buyers Should Still Consider an OWTS Inspection

A septic system is one of the most expensive hidden components on a property.

Unlike plumbing inside the home, much of the system is buried underground, making problems difficult to detect without a proper evaluation.

A property sale septic inspection can provide valuable information about:

• Tank condition

• Visible components

• Signs of system failure

• Maintenance concerns

• Overall functionality

• Education on proper system care

For many buyers, the inspection offers peace of mind before purchasing a rural property. We still recommend having a sewer scope performed on these systems as well, as a lot of septic inspectors do not have scopes or perform that service.

Main lines can still have all the same problems found with a scope when it empties to a septic tank, and these repairs get costly - fast.

What This Means for Realtors

The elimination of the county requirement doesn't necessarily change best practices.

Many experienced real estate professionals continue recommending septic inspections during the due diligence period because they help reduce surprises after closing.

Recommended practices include:

• Confirm lender requirements before removing inspection contingencies.

• Encourage buyers to obtain a septic inspection even though it's voluntary.

• Ask sellers for pumping records, permits, and as-built documentation.

• Recommend sewer scope inspections when applicable.

• Educate buyers on long-term septic maintenance.

What About Colorado Springs?

Many homes within Colorado Springs city limits are connected to municipal sewer systems.

However, properties throughout Black Forest, Peyton, Falcon, Calhan, Ellicott, Fountain, Monument, Palmer Lake, and other rural portions of El Paso County often rely on onsite wastewater treatment systems.

If you're purchasing property outside city utilities, understanding the condition of the septic system remains an important part of your due diligence.

Our Recommendation

Although El Paso County no longer requires septic inspections before property transfers, we continue recommending them whenever a home is served by an onsite wastewater treatment system.

The county requirement may have gone away, but the value of understanding the condition of one of your home's most expensive systems has not.

Knowing the condition of the septic system before closing can help buyers avoid unexpected repairs and give sellers confidence that there won't be surprises during negotiations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a septic inspection to sell my home in El Paso County?

No. As of July 11, 2026, El Paso County no longer requires a transfer-of-title septic inspection.

Can my lender still require one?

Yes. Some lenders continue requiring septic inspections as part of the loan approval process.

Should buyers still get a septic inspection?

In most cases, yes. A septic inspection can identify expensive defects that aren't visible during a standard home inspection.

Are sellers still required to disclose septic problems?

Yes. Known defects must still be disclosed under Colorado real estate disclosure requirements.