El Paso County: septic rules when you sell
Property Sale Acceptance Document (Transfer of Title Inspection)
Before selling a home served by a septic system (OWTS) in El Paso County, you must have the system inspected by a NAWT-certified inspector and obtain a Property Sale Acceptance Document from El Paso County Public Health. The document confirms the system is functioning to design and stays valid until closing (up to 12 months).
Inspector requirement Inspector must be certified by the National Association of Wastewater Technicians (NAWT) or an equivalent program approved by CDPHE and EPCPH. Higher-level treatment systems need system-specific or manufacturer training. EPCPH maintains a public list of certified inspectors.
When to apply Inspection report must be completed within 12 months of the sale/closing. Results must be submitted within 3 working days of the inspection.
| Inspection at sale | Required before the sale or transfer of title of any property served by an OWTS. The certified inspector submits results to EPCPH electronically within 3 working days of the inspection; the owner submits the Acceptance Document Application and fee with the report. |
|---|---|
| Inspector requirement | Inspector must be certified by the National Association of Wastewater Technicians (NAWT) or an equivalent program approved by CDPHE and EPCPH. Higher-level treatment systems need system-specific or manufacturer training. EPCPH maintains a public list of certified inspectors. |
| When to apply | Inspection report must be completed within 12 months of the sale/closing. Results must be submitted within 3 working days of the inspection. |
| Validity | The Acceptance Document and certified inspection remain valid until the date of real estate closing or for a maximum of 12 months, whichever comes first. May be renewed one time for up to 6 months (if not already expired) with the proper form and fee. |
| If the system fails | If a component is malfunctioning, EPCPH issues a Notice of Condition; repairs (or an OWTS repair permit) must be completed within 90 days, or within 30 days if an imminent health hazard exists. Alternatively a conditional/Notice of Condition acceptance document may be issued if the buyer agrees to obtain a permit and complete repairs within 30 or 90 days as set by EPCPH. |
| Exemptions | No Acceptance Document required when: (1) the entire OWTS was installed and given final EPCPH approval less than 12 months before closing (inspection still required if any part is over 12 months old); (2) the ownership change only adds or removes a spouse; (3) the transfer creates or ends joint ownership where at least one original owner (or their spouse) is involved; (4) the connected building will be demolished/unoccupied after transfer; or (5) the transfer is to a trust in the same name as the owner. |
| Winter rule | The regulation acknowledges that snow cover (or buried wells and other conditions) may prevent the inspector from evaluating setbacks or the system; if so, it must be stated in the inspection report. No formal spring-inspection agreement is spelled out in the OWTS regulation. |
Details to confirm with the county
We couldn't confirm the following from El Paso County's official pages. Check these with the county before you rely on them:
- Exact dollar fee for the Property Sale Acceptance Document — the regulation states the Board of Health sets fees by resolution but does not list a dollar amount in the regulation text; the county fee schedule was not located on official material during this pass.
- Direct URL to the Acceptance Document application/form (regulation references a 'designated electronic reporting system' but no public form URL was confirmed).
Verified July 2026 · Source: El Paso County Public Health — OWTS Regulations (Chapter 8, Section P: Property Sale Inspections for Transfer of Title)