Septic Inspection in Spokane County, WA: Operational Permits, Reports and the 2027 Transfer Inspection

In Spokane County the Spokane Regional Health District requires an inspection every three years for a conventional gravity system and every year for others, and from February 2027 an inspection when a property is sold. SRHD asks the seller for a report from a permitted provider within the past 12 months, then reviews it, and allows up to two weeks.

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Last reviewed: October 26, 2026

Two kinds of septic inspection here

Spokane County owners meet septic inspections in two ways. The first is the routine operation and maintenance inspection, which is a cycle the owner keeps for as long as they own the system. The second is the property transfer inspection, which Washington will require at sale or deed transfer starting February 2027. SRHD runs both through its Liquid Waste program, 509-324-1560, extension 1.

The routine inspection and the operational permit

SRHD requires on-site system owners to obtain an operational permit and submit inspection records, annually or every three years depending on the system. Conventional gravity systems are every three years. All other systems are annual, and so are holding tanks. SRHD mails a postcard when a report is due. The owner returns the report form within 60 days of the inspection, weather permitting. If the inspection finds deficiencies, the owner corrects them under WAC 246-272A-0270, and some repairs need a permit before work starts.

Who may inspect? SRHD says owners who want to inspect their own system should watch the Department of Health training videos and review the maintenance manual for their system. Otherwise they may use a permitted operation and maintenance provider. SRHD publishes a list of providers and says it does not endorse any of them. For the sale inspection, SRHD asks for a permitted provider.

What an inspection looks at

SRHD's fact sheet on inspecting your tank describes measuring the scum and sludge levels with a stick, and checking the inlet and outlet baffles when the manhole is open. It says the sludge and scum inspection is the only way to determine when a tank needs to be pumped, so a routine inspection does not always end in a pump-out. The detail is on septic inspection.

The property transfer inspection, step by step

SRHD's transfer page says that starting February 2027, Washington requires all septic systems to be inspected when a property is sold or the deed is transferred. Its steps for Spokane County:

Before closing. The seller needs a transfer inspection completed by a permitted operation and maintenance provider within the past 12 months, the tank pumped if the report recommends it, and an as-built record drawing. If no drawing exists, or the one on file is wrong, a site plan goes in with the report. Permits and fees may apply.
Submit. The seller sends the report to SRHD, with the submittal fee, before closing. The report includes the current sizing of the system.
SRHD review. If no deficiencies are found, the report goes back to the seller with none noted. If deficiencies are identified, the report goes back with them noted. Where sewage is surfacing or another health hazard exists, SRHD staff may visit, begin enforcement or set a compliance schedule with the current owner. Additional fees may apply.
At transfer. The seller gives the buyer the SRHD-reviewed report, valid 12 months from the inspection date, the maintenance records and the seller disclosure statement under chapter 64.06 RCW.

SRHD says to allow up to two weeks for review of a complete report, and longer if the form is incomplete. If the seller does not fix a deficiency that is under enforcement, SRHD shifts enforcement to the buyer, who becomes responsible as the new owner. The buyer should contact SRHD after closing to update ownership so maintenance reminders reach the right address.

Exemptions

SRHD lists three situations where an exemption may be approved: the system on record was installed and given an operational permit within the past 12 months, an operation and maintenance inspection was completed in the past 12 months by a permitted provider, or the system was properly abandoned and connected to sewer. An application for exemption and a fee go to SRHD for review. SRHD also says that failing to obtain or keep a current operational permit may delay property transfer inspections. That is why a current operational permit is worth confirming early. See the Spokane transfer checklist and real estate septic inspection.

What buyers and agents can ask

Is there an SRHD-reviewed transfer report, and is it within 12 months of the inspection date?
Are the maintenance and pumping records included?
Is there an as-built record drawing, and does it match what is on the ground?
Were deficiencies noted, and have they been corrected?
Is the operational permit current?

Where to find a provider

SRHD's permitted operation and maintenance provider list is on its website. A pumper permit and an operation and maintenance provider permit are different approvals, so check the one the work needs. Ask what the inspection includes, whether both compartments are checked, whether the tank is pumped for it, and whether there is a fee for lid digging. The Department of Health suggests asking at least three. See septic pumping in Spokane County for pumpers.

Price

This site found no published Spokane inspection price from an agency or a sourced third party, so it gives none. SRHD charges a report submittal fee, and the amount is on its fee schedule. Check the current number with SRHD.

Reasons to trust this page

Steps, exemptions and timing come from SRHD's property transfer inspection page.
Routine cycles and permit details come from SRHD's operation and maintenance page and WAC 246-272A-0270.
No inspection price is published because none could be sourced.
No company is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Spokane County require when a septic home is sold?

Starting February 2027, SRHD asks the seller for a transfer inspection by a permitted operation and maintenance provider within the past 12 months, the tank pumped if recommended, and an as-built drawing. The seller submits the report and fee to SRHD before closing and gives the buyer the reviewed report and records.

How long does SRHD take to review a transfer report?

SRHD says to allow up to two weeks to review and process completed report forms, and longer when a form is incomplete and needs follow-up. Submitting early, with the site plan and records included when no drawing exists, helps avoid delays before closing.

Are there exemptions to the Spokane transfer inspection?

SRHD lists three: a system installed with an operational permit issued within the past 12 months, an operation and maintenance inspection by a permitted provider within the past 12 months, or a system properly abandoned and connected to sewer. An application and fee go to SRHD for approval, so confirm the current terms.

Can I inspect my own septic system in Spokane County?

For routine inspections, SRHD says owners who want to inspect their own system should first watch the Department of Health training videos and review their system's maintenance manual. For the transfer inspection, SRHD asks for a permitted operation and maintenance provider, so a seller should not rely on a self-inspection.

How often is a routine septic inspection required in Spokane County?

Every three years for a conventional gravity system and every year for other systems and holding tanks. SRHD mails a postcard when a report is due, and the completed report form goes back to the Liquid Waste program within 60 days of the inspection.

Sources

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