When is an inspection required?
In general, Title 5 requires an inspection at the time of property transfer:
When a property is sold to new owners, or there otherwise is a transfer of title to new owners, with certain exceptions.
In July 2004, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 21A Section 13 was changed as follows:
"The department shall not require an inspection of a system for the treatment and the disposal of sanitary sewage below the ground surface if the transfer is of residential real property, and is between the following relationships: (1) between current spouses; (2) between parents and their children; (3) between full siblings; and (4) where the grantor transfers the real property to be held in a revocable or irrevocable trust, where at least one of the designated beneficiaries is of the first degree of relationship to the grantor".
Contact Ronald White at DEP with questions:
[email protected] (617) 292-5790.
When properties are divided or combined.
Even if there is not a sale or transfer of title, Title 5 requires an inspection when there is a change in use or an expansion of the facility. For example, conversion of a retail store to a restaurant requires an inspection. See On-Site System Inspections for details.