Gilpin County: septic rules when you sell
Use Permit (Title Transfer)
In unincorporated Gilpin County, selling a home on a septic system means you must have the system inspected and obtain a Use Permit before going under contract. The Use Permit fee is $110 and the permit is valid for 6 months (extendable). Systems installed 5 years or less before the sale are exempt.
County fee $110.00 for a Use Permit (all types). A 'Septic Use Permit Failure to Obtain Penalty' also appears on the fee schedule ($5.50 base).
Inspector requirement Inspection by a licensed/certified septic inspector; Gilpin County maintains a list of licensed septic inspectors/pumpers. (Colorado Reg 43 requires NAWT-equivalent certification for Transfer-of-Title/Use-Permit inspectors.)
When to apply Must be obtained prior to the transaction date. Use Permits take ten business days to process.
| Inspection at sale | Required prior to going under contract when selling a home in unincorporated Gilpin County served by an OWTS. Inspections are scheduled Tuesdays and Thursdays and requested through the online permit portal. Two separate applications exist: conventional (TL1) systems and higher-level (TL2+) systems, the latter requiring the buyer to obtain a maintenance contract and operating permit. |
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| County fee | $110.00 for a Use Permit (all types). A 'Septic Use Permit Failure to Obtain Penalty' also appears on the fee schedule ($5.50 base). source ↗ |
| Inspector requirement | Inspection by a licensed/certified septic inspector; Gilpin County maintains a list of licensed septic inspectors/pumpers. (Colorado Reg 43 requires NAWT-equivalent certification for Transfer-of-Title/Use-Permit inspectors.) source ↗ |
| When to apply | Must be obtained prior to the transaction date. Use Permits take ten business days to process. |
| Validity | Use Permits are valid for 6 months and must be obtained before the transaction date. Active, unexpired permits can be extended if you request the extension before expiration (Form 704 renewal). |
| Winter rule | When it is impossible or impractical to pump and inspect the system before a Use Permit is issued (e.g. snow cover), the buyer may sign the Pre-Paid Tank Pumping and System Inspection Agreement (Form 705) in lieu of the normal inspection forms: pumping/inspection fees are pre-paid and the pumping and inspection must be completed within 90 days of closing, with any needed repairs the buyer's responsibility. source ↗ |
| If the system fails | Deficiencies must be repaired to comply with Gilpin County OWTS regulations; major repairs (components not matching the original engineered design, or any work on systems over 30 years old or without an engineered design) require a construction/repair permit and new engineered plans. Under a Form 705 deferred inspection, the buyer acknowledges responsibility for necessary repairs and the county may pursue legal action if repairs are not completed. |
| Exemptions | No Use Permit needed when: the OWTS was permitted and installed 5 years or less from the date of sale; selling vacant land; or selling land with a permitted but unfinished/unconnected/non-operational OWTS. A Use Permit IS needed for seasonal cabins/limited-use structures not connected to a permitted OWTS and for sealed-vault systems. |
Verified July 2026 · Source: Gilpin County Public Health — Use Permits for Title Transfer / Selling a Property