Do I need a septic inspection before selling my house in St. Tammany Parish?

Generally, yes — St. Tammany Parish requires a septic system inspection prior to the sale of a home under its Sewerage Inspection Permit program. Requirements can vary by situation, so confirm specifics with the parish Department of Environmental Services, and your real estate agent can often help coordinate the process.

Real Estate & Septic/Well

Buying or Selling a Home with a Septic System or Well

Homes on septic or well work differently from homes on municipal sewer and water — here's what to know on both sides of a sale in St. Tammany Parish.

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This isn't legal or real estate advice

This page explains general steps homeowners commonly need to take — it isn't a substitute for guidance from your real estate agent, a licensed inspector, or an attorney. Requirements can vary by property and situation, and parish rules can change. Always confirm specifics with the parish and your agent before a closing deadline.

Just closed on a house?

I bought a house with a septic system — what do I do?

Call the parish office on Koop Drive

Contact St. Tammany Parish's Department of Environmental Services (21454 Koop Drive, Building B, Mandeville — see our Resources page for the current phone number) and ask what make, model, and size septic system is on record for your address.

Pass that information to your service company

Knowing the exact system type before you call for pumping, maintenance, or repair helps the contractor show up prepared with the right equipment and parts — especially important if it's an aerobic treatment unit (ATU) rather than a conventional tank.

Check whether an inspection is already on file

Since an inspection is generally required before a home sells, ask whether a recent one exists in the property's file, and hold onto any documentation from your closing — it can save you a step later.

If you run into questions along the way, your real estate agent has often been through this process before and may be able to point you in the right direction, especially if anything about the sale or system history is unclear.

Selling

Selling a home with a septic system

Plan for a required septic inspection before closing — build the timeline into your sale process early rather than discovering it late.
Locate any permit history, as-built diagrams, or past service records for the system — these make the inspection smoother and reassure buyers.
Consider having the tank pumped and inspected proactively if it's been a while — a known, documented issue is easier to resolve on your terms than one found during a buyer's inspection.
Your real estate agent can usually tell you exactly which parish forms and timelines apply to your specific sale.

Buying

Buying a home with a septic system

Ask for the septic inspection report and any permit or service history before closing.
Find out the system type (conventional tank vs. aerobic treatment unit) — ATUs need more frequent professional maintenance.
Ask when it was last pumped and how large the household was that used it.
After closing, call the parish (see above) to confirm the system details on record match what you were told.

Selling

Selling a home with a well

Many buyers and lenders request a water quality test as part of the sale — arrange this early since lab turnaround can take time.
Have documentation ready on the well's age, pump type, and any past repairs or replacements if available.
If the well isn't registered with the state, mention this to your agent — it can be worth addressing before it becomes a question during closing.

Buying

Buying a home with a well

Request a recent water quality test, or arrange one — private wells aren't monitored the way municipal water is, so this is on you as the buyer.
Ask about the pump's age and type (submersible or jet) — a pump nearing the end of its life is a cost worth knowing about upfront.
Check whether the well is registered with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources — see our Resources page for how to verify.

FAQ

Common questions

I just bought a house with a septic system. What do I do first?

Call St. Tammany Parish's Department of Environmental Services at their Koop Drive office in Mandeville to find out the make, model, and size of the septic system on record for your property. Having that information ready before you call a service company makes it much easier for them to plan the right visit.

Do I need a septic inspection before selling my house?

Generally, yes — St. Tammany Parish requires inspection of on-site sewage systems under its Sewerage Inspection Permit program, and property sale is one of the most common triggers for that requirement. Confirm specifics with the parish, and your real estate agent can often help coordinate the process and timeline.

Who do I call with questions during a sale involving a septic or well system?

Start with your real estate agent — they've usually navigated this before and can tell you what's specific to your transaction. For system-specific questions, St. Tammany Parish's Department of Environmental Services handles septic records and inspections, and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources handles well registration. Contact details for both are on our Resources page.