Archuleta County: septic rules when you sell
Transfer of Title (Acceptance Document)
Rules summarized below are drawn from the county's published information and may have changed. Always confirm with the county directly: official Archuleta County source.
In Archuleta County, selling a property served by a septic system requires a Transfer of Title inspection and an Acceptance Document from the Water Quality Department, which shifts system-maintenance responsibility from seller to buyer. A third-party NAWT-certified inspector performs the inspection. Submit the application at least two weeks before closing.
| Inspection at sale | Sale of a property served by an OWTS triggers the Transfer of Title requirement; the buyer/seller obtains a TOT Acceptance Document, which transfers system-maintenance responsibility from seller to buyer. |
|---|---|
| Inspector requirement | Inspection must be performed by a third-party NAWT (National Association of Wastewater Technicians)-certified inspector. The county provides a courtesy list of local NAWT inspectors. |
| When to apply | Submit at least two weeks before closing: the Transfer of Title Application, the completed TOT Inspection Report (by the NAWT inspector), and the administrative fee. Email submissions to waterquality@archuletacounty.org. The county needs several business days to issue the Acceptance Document. |
| If the system fails | If the system fails inspection, the applicant must apply for the proper permit to repair, expand, or change the use of the system. Conditional TOT agreements are available if repairs cannot be completed before closing (Agreement to Repair or Alter an OWTS). |
| Exemptions | Exempt: non-arm's-length transactions (family transfers, estates); transfers creating or ending joint ownership with the original owner; transfers to trusts in the original owner's name; new-construction systems under 4 years old; and foreclosure/forfeiture (though subsequent transfers require inspection). |
Details to confirm with the county
We couldn't confirm the following from Archuleta County's official pages. Check these with the county before you rely on them:
- Exact county administrative fee (dollar amount) — page instructs applicants to 'pay the administrative fee' but does not state the amount. Marked needs_verification for the fee.
- Explicit winter/snow inspection rule (not addressed on the program page)
- Stated validity period of the Acceptance Document (not specified on the program page)
Verified July 2026 · Source: Archuleta County Water Quality Department — Transfer of Title