Septic Maintenance Requirements for Property Transfers served by OSS

septic tank with riser

*CHANGES TO MASON COUNTY CODE TITLE 6 CHAPTER 6.76 IMPACTING SALE REQUIREMENTS FOR PARCELS SERVED BY OSS*

  • On November 9th, The Board of County Commissioners, in coordination with Board of Health, held a public hearing and approved amendments to the On-site Sewage Regulations.
  • Effective January 1st, 2022: Mason County Code will require a current operations and maintenance (O/M) inspection report to be completed within 12 months prior to the sale of property. The intent is to educate buyers of an onsite sewage system status/ condition by providing a recent O/M Inspection report on all system components.
  • A pumping report by itself, will no longer satisfy the maintenance requirements for a property transfer on a gravity OSS.
  • Proposed changes will simplify sale requirements and bring buyers a more recent & detailed report.
  • There are no permitted evaluation requirements for property transfers in Mason County served by OSS at this time.

NEW REGULATION AND REQUIREMENTS READ (effective January 1, 2022):
MCC 6.76.070(5) When a property contains and/or is served by an on-site sewage system, an inspection service report by a certified operations and maintenance specialist is required within 12 months:

  1. Prior to the sale of property or transfer of ownership

CURRENT REGULATION AND REQUIREMENTS READ (through December 31, 2021):

MCC 6.76.070(5) Transfer of resident ownership shall require a current inspection service report on the status of the on-site sewage system, using the form prescribed by the director.

  1. Current shall mean within three years with a system consisting solely of a septic tank and drainfield and annually for all other on-site septic system.
  2. Service for an on-site sewage system consisting solely of a septic tank and gravity drainfield shall be performed by a Mason County Certified Pumper or a Mason County Certified Operation and Maintenance Specialist. All other on-site sewage systems will require a report from a Mason County Certified Operation and Maintenance Specialist.

For more information or questions, contact 360-427-9670, extension 400.