Septic Inspection in Minnesota: When It's Required

Septic inspection in Minnesota

Selling a home, adding a bedroom or building a new system? Here is when Minnesota requires a septic compliance inspection, and licensed inspectors in every county.

345 licensed inspectors in MPCA records

Call any of them directly

No business pays to be listed

Not sure who to call? We can find one for you, free

Listings checked on Nov 3, 2026

Not sure who to call?

Tell us about the job and we'll pass it to one licensed septic business that serves your area. Free, for new systems, replacements, repairs and inspections.

Within one business day we pass your request to one septic business with a current MPCA license.

They contact you by phone, text or email to set up an estimate.

You decide. Free, no obligation.

Project

Property When

County

City or township ZIP

Budget (optional) Name

Email Phone

Anything else? (optional)

By sending this, you agree we can share your request with one licensed septic business, who will contact you by phone, text or email about your project. Free, no obligation. Privacy

When Minnesota requires an inspection

Every new or replacement system. State law requires a compliance inspection before a new system is put to use.
Adding a bedroom. A city or county may not issue a building permit or variance for a bedroom on a property with a septic system until the system has been inspected. From November 1 to April 30 the local government may wait, as long as the inspection is done by the next June 1.
When your local ordinance says so. Counties, cities and townships can require more. The most common is an inspection before a home is sold.

Selling a home with a septic system

There is no statewide rule requiring an inspection when a home is sold. Many counties have one. For example, St. Louis County, Aitkin County, Olmsted County and Le Sueur County all require a compliance inspection before a sale, with some exemptions. Ask your county before you list the home.

Every seller in Minnesota must do this, under state law:

Before signing a purchase agreement, tell the buyer in writing how the property's sewage is handled.
If it has a septic system, describe it, give the county and legal description, and include a map of where it is.
Tell the buyer what you know about whether it complies, and attach any past inspection report you have.
A seller who knew and did not disclose can be liable for the cost of bringing the system into compliance, plus attorney fees. The buyer has two years after closing to sue.

Winter sales

Frozen ground can make an inspection hard. Some counties, including St. Louis and Aitkin, let the sale close with money held in escrow to cover a fix, and the inspection is done when the ground thaws.

What the inspector checks

Whether the system is an imminent threat to public health, like sewage on the ground or backing up into the house.
Whether the tanks or the drain field are failing to protect groundwater, for example a leaking tank or too little soil between the drain field and the water table.
Whether the system meets the other state and local requirements.

A system that passes gets a certificate of compliance. One that does not gets a notice of noncompliance that says why. An imminent threat must be fixed within ten months. See septic repair and replacement.

How long an inspection is good for

Under state law, a certificate of compliance for an existing system is good for three years. A certificate for a new system is good for five. Counties can accept them for different lengths of time when a home is sold, so check yours.

Who can do it

A business with a current MPCA inspector license, or a qualified employee of your local government. Inspections of new and replacement systems must be done by someone independent of the owner and the installer. MPCA licenses inspectors at basic, intermediate and advanced levels; higher levels cover bigger and more complex systems.

What it costs

Angi puts most septic inspections in the Minneapolis area at $210 to $943, with an average of $576. Camera inspections and digging up the tank cost more.

Sources: Minnesota Statutes 115.55 (inspections and seller disclosure) · Minnesota Rules 7082.0700 (inspection program) · St. Louis County, buying or selling property · Aitkin County, buying or selling property · Olmsted County, land transfer compliance (PDF) · Le Sueur County, when a compliance inspection is required (PDF) · Angi, septic inspection cost in Minneapolis (Jul 2026)

This page is general information, not legal advice. Local rules vary and change, so confirm with your county, city or township.

How it works

Browse licensed businesses

Every septic business based in your county with a current MPCA license, in alphabetical order.

Compare and check the license

See what each one is licensed to do and when the license runs out. Confirm it on MPCA's search.

Contact them directly

Call the number from their license record. Not sure who to call? Tell us about the job and we pass it to one licensed business.

Questions

Do I need a septic inspection to sell my house in Minnesota?

There is no statewide rule, but many counties require one before a sale. State law does require every seller to disclose the septic system to the buyer in writing before signing a purchase agreement.

How long is a septic inspection good for?

Under state law, a certificate of compliance for an existing system is good for three years. One for a new system is good for five. Some counties set their own rules for sales.

How much does a septic inspection cost?

Angi puts most inspections in the Minneapolis area at $210 to $943, with an average of $576.

Can I sell a house with a failing septic system?

Often yes, but your county may require money held in escrow to pay for the fix, and the seller must disclose what they know. Rules vary by county.

Can septic inspections be done in winter?

Frozen ground can make it hard. Some counties let a winter sale close with money held in escrow until the inspection can be done.