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Thurston County, Washington

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.

Public Health and Social Services

Septic Systems in Thurston County are required to go through the Time of Transfer process when selling a home.  The Time of Transfer process requires the septic system to be pumped and inspected by a Thurston County certified septic system professional prior to application submittal. If a record drawing (as-built) cannot be located, the septic system professional must prepare a sketch of the septic system at the time of inspection on the form provided below. 

You can check the status of a review, view a copy of a completed Time of Transfer report or view septic system pumping and inspection reports online.

Records Search

Records and Permit Status Lookup

Additional Resources

Septic tanks and sewage system in green yard

 

 

Is an Operational Certificate renewed during a property sale?

The septic system must have been inspected and all tanks pumped within the last twelve months prior to submitting a Time of Transfer application. In most instances, an inspection and pumping completed for the Time of Transfer process may also be used to renew an Operational Certificate if the septic system is functioning properly and all requirements have been met. 

Homeowner and Maintenance Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, Environmental Health Department has no right or intention to prohibit property sales. Our goal is to protect public health and provide information to all parties involved in the sale or transfer of property. The Evaluation Report will include any violations or deficiencies found during the inspection and record review.

Yes, each individual septic system requires a complete application, required reports, and applicable fee.

Failing septic systems are a public health concern. If the septic system is found to be failing, it must be immediately addressed. Common failures include sewage backing up into the building, sewage surfacing on the ground, or a leaking sewage tank. Environmental Health's Compliance Section will follow-up on any system found to be in failure, which could result in a Notice of Violation.

Deficiencies that require attention but do not require immediate repair include, but are not limited to, missing or broken inlet/outlet baffles, malfunctioning pumps, broken monitoring ports, clean-outs, or risers, and systems not properly sized for the number of bedrooms within the residence. However, permit applications or required Operational Certificates may be held until deficiencies are corrected.

Both major and minor deficiencies, as defined in Article IV of the Sanitary Code, will be noted on the Evaluation Report. If the problems are corrected according to regulations, a new Time of Transfer Application can be submitted within twelve months of the previous report issue date with the applicable fee, and an updated report will be issued.

​A sewage system repair permit is required to replace a tank or drain field. A repair permit is not required to repair or replace baffles or pumps.

If the septic system requires a renewable Operational Certificate, please verify the certificate is current with no outstanding fees prior to submitting the Time of Transfer Application. To check the status of your Operational Certificate please call 360-867-2673 or eh_tech@co.thurston.wa.us