Selling a home on septic in Santa Cruz County
There’s a county requirement most sellers don’t know about until escrow. Here’s how it works, and how to not let it slow down your sale.
The short version
- Starting with sales that closed on or after July 1, 2023, homes on septic in the county need a pumping inspection report.
- It has to be done by a liquid waste hauler registered with County Environmental Health.
- The inspection has to be within the 6 months before the sale.
- A point-of-sale disclosure form goes to Environmental Health.
If the inspection finds problems
If repairs are needed, the buyer and seller can agree on who handles them. The county has a Transfer of Responsibility form for when the buyer takes on the repair after closing. That form goes to Environmental Health along with the disclosure.
Your agent will know the process, but it helps to know it too. A repair that surfaces late in escrow can get expensive or push the closing date.
Tips for sellers
- Book the inspection early. Right when you decide to list is ideal, since it’s good for 6 months.
- Find your tank lids ahead of time, or tell the company they’re buried.
- Pull together any old pumping receipts and permits.
- If your system has an enhanced treatment unit, have the service contract and records ready for the buyer.
Tips for buyers
- Ask for the seller’s pumping inspection report early, and read it.
- Consider your own inspection if the report flags anything, or if the system is old.
- Ask the tank size and when it was last pumped before that.
This is general information, not legal or real estate advice. Requirements can change. Your agent and Santa Cruz County Environmental Health have the final word.
Selling soon? Get the inspection booked.
Call any time. An automated assistant takes your details so you’re not stuck on hold, and a local septic company gets them right away.