Septic at sale
Which Colorado mountain counties require a septic inspection at sale?
Each Colorado mountain county sets its own septic rule for a home sale. Eight require an inspection or permit, two do not, and Eagle County starts in 2027.
A live person answers. Not a robot, not a phone tree. Updated September 2026.
Photos: Small ranch house and cattle in a mountain valley, Madison Kuhn (Unsplash).
Jefferson, Clear Creek, Park, Gilpin, Boulder, Larimer, Summit and Pitkin counties require a septic inspection or permit at sale. Grand and Routt counties do not. Eagle County starts January 1, 2027. Fees run from $100 in Jefferson and Clear Creek counties to $500 for a Boulder County Property Transfer Certificate. Confirm the current rule and fee with the county.
$100 Use Permit.
For systems more than 5 years old. Valid 6 months or until closing.
$500 certificate.
A Property Transfer Certificate is required at sale.
$230 Use Permit.
Per the April 1, 2026 fee schedule.
Grand and Routt.
Eagle County starts January 1, 2027.
What do the Front Range mountain counties require?
- Jefferson County: required. Use Permit for systems more than 5 years old. $100, valid 6 months or until closing.
- Clear Creek County: required. Use Permit. $100, valid 12 months.
- Park County: required. Transfer of Title inspection by a NAWT inspector.
- Gilpin County: required. Use Permit, valid 6 months. $110 on the 2026 fee schedule.
- Boulder County: required. Property Transfer Certificate, $500.
What do Larimer and the resort counties require?
- Larimer County: required. Acceptance Document, valid 12 months. Snow or frozen ground means a conditional acceptance, with 180 days after closing to finish.
- Summit County: required. Use Permit at sale, $230 per the April 1, 2026 fee schedule.
- Pitkin County: required. Use Permit, with an inspection less than 1 year old.
- Grand County: not required. The county "has not adopted regulations related to the Transfer of Title Inspections."
- Routt County: not required. Not required under the 2026 regulations.
- Eagle County: starts 2027. The requirement begins January 1, 2027.
Teller County: the county FAQ PDF lists a new program effective July 24, 2026, and the county FAQ page conflicts. Check with Teller County Public Health.
Should a buyer inspect septic where the county does not require it?
- Yes, as a buyer's choice. The EPA advises a septic inspection every 3 years.
- Pumping. The EPA advises pumping every 3 to 5 years.
- Ask for records. Ask the seller for the last inspection and pumping receipts.
How do you keep a septic permit from delaying closing?
- Order it early. The county permit has to land before the closing date.
- Watch the expiration. Jefferson and Gilpin permits last 6 months. Clear Creek and Larimer last 12 months.
- Set who pays. Write who orders the inspection, who pays and the deadline into the contract.
- Winter sales. In Larimer County, frozen ground leads to a conditional acceptance with 180 days after closing.
Call the Kenna Real Estate Group at 303-955-4220 to set the septic inspection on the right county timeline.
Questions
Quick answers.
Does Jefferson County require a septic inspection when selling?
Yes. Systems more than 5 years old need a $100 Use Permit, valid 6 months or until closing.
Does Grand County require a septic inspection at sale?
No. Grand County has not adopted transfer-of-title inspection rules.
When does Eagle County start requiring septic inspections at sale?
January 1, 2027.
How much is the Summit County septic Use Permit?
$230, per the April 1, 2026 fee schedule.
How many years between septic pumpings?
Every 3 to 5 years, with an inspection every 3 years, per the EPA.
Sources
- Jefferson County septic Use Permit
- Clear Creek County Use Permit
- Boulder County septic property transfer
- Larimer County septic transfer of title
- Summit County OWTS Use Permits
- EPA, how to care for your septic system
- Park County
- Gilpin County
- Pitkin County
- Grand County
- Routt County
- Eagle County
- Teller County
Rules, rates and dates change. The county, town or state office named above has the current version.
Go deeper
Where to go next.
The map
Where the mountain towns are.
Every pin opens that town's page. Drive times from downtown Denver, without traffic.
- Front Range foothills
- I-70 corridor
- Peak to Peak
- Summit County
- Resort
- Tap a town to open its page
Outline: U.S. Census Bureau. Roads from downtown Denver: OSRM on OpenStreetMap. Town points: OpenStreetMap and USGS. Drive times without traffic.
Private consultation
Ask us about your mountain home.
303-955-4220A live person answers. Not a robot, not a phone tree.
- Every mountain town. Evergreen and Conifer to Summit County and Steamboat.
- Wildfire, water, winter. Insurance, well, septic and access checked before you offer.
- One point of contact. From the first call to the closing table.
Colorado Mountain Home Finder is part of the Kenna Real Estate Group at Keller Williams DTC (KWDTC).