Summit County, Ohio: Mandatory Well and Septic Inspections

Starting September 1 (2008) of this year, homeowners with well or septic systems in several Summit County cities are required to have a new inspection prior to selling their property. 

Any homeowner that has a private well or septic system and has a property for sale which will close on September 1 or later will be required to have this inspection.  Homes that currently have a "sale pending" that will NOT close until September 1 or later will be required to have a well and septic inspection.

The Summit County Health Department has jurisdiction over certain cities while other cities have their own rules.  Contact the Summit County Health Department for further information.

The fees are as follows:

• Well & Septic Pre-Sale Real Estate Inspection:    $275.00
• Septic ONLY Pre-Sale Real Estate Inspection:     $200.00  (If property has public water)
• Well ONLY Pre-Sale Real Estate Inspection:        $150.00 (If property has public sewer)

All private water systems and sewage treatment systems will need to be inspected by a water system evaluator approved by the Health Commissioner.  A complete list of approved contractors will be available on the Summit County Health Department web site (and in our offices) on September 1.  Before then, sellers can call the Summit County Health Department at 330-923-4891 to verify if a contractor of the seller's choice is approved.

According to the new rule, if the inspection and/or samples show a threat to public health, or if corrections need to be made, the health department will issue a time frame for the repairs to be made. 

Sellers need to be aware that if they do NOT get the required inspections before the house is transferred to a new owner, or if there are repairs that need to be made before the transfer, there will be a fee for the former homeowner.