Michigan Time of Transfer septic and well inspections
Updated November 2026
Which Michigan counties and townships require a septic and well evaluation before a home sale, what the rules say, and how long an evaluation stays valid.
Michigan has no statewide point-of-sale rule. Instead, some county health departments put a Time of Transfer (TOT) requirement in their sanitary code, and some townships adopt their own ordinance. These rules only apply to homes on a private well or septic system.
Confirmed rules
| Area | Who evaluates | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| Isabella County and Secord Township | Central Michigan District Health Department evaluators | Wells and septic, at every sale or transfer |
| Benzie and Leelanau counties | Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department | Written results go to the buyer before the sale |
| Kalkaska and Manistee counties | District Health Department #10 or its certified inspectors | Evaluation and pumping within 24 months |
| Long Lake Township | Certified inspector or county health department | Report filed with the township; 36-month exemption |
| Elk Rapids Township, Village of Elk Rapids, Milton Township, Torch Lake Township | Health Department of Northwest Michigan | Township ordinances adopted 2023-2024 |
Other areas
Real estate guides also mention rules in counties such as Washtenaw, Livingston, Kalamazoo and Berrien, but the sources disagree, so we have not listed them until we can confirm them with the health department. Wayne County is generally described as having no inspection at sale.
Plan for the wait
Health department evaluations in northern Michigan have taken 3 to 4 weeks. Order the evaluation when you list, especially in spring and summer.
Step by step
- Check whether the property is on a private well or septic system. Homes on public water and sewer are not affected.
- Apply to the local health department, or hire an evaluator it has certified. Some townships only accept the health department itself.
- Pump the septic tank if the rule requires it. Some codes require pumping within the last 2 or 5 years.
- Give the written evaluation to the buyer before closing. If the system fails, agree on who will repair it and when.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Septic and well evaluation | $300 to $700 |
| Septic tank pumping | $300 to $600 |
| Drain field replacement | $8,000 to $25,000 or more |
Cities with this requirement
| City | What is required | Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benzie CountyBenzie County | Time of Transfer septic and well evaluation | Required at sale | |
| Elk Rapids TownshipAntrim County | Time of Transfer septic and well evaluation | Required at sale | |
| Isabella CountyIsabella County | Time of Transfer septic and well evaluation | Required at sale | |
| Kalkaska CountyKalkaska County | Time of Transfer septic and well evaluation | Required at sale | |
| Leelanau CountyLeelanau County | Time of Transfer septic and well evaluation | Required at sale | |
| Long Lake TownshipGrand Traverse County | Septic inspection at time of property transfer | Required at sale | |
| Manistee CountyManistee County | Time of Transfer septic and well evaluation | Required at sale | |
| Milton TownshipAntrim County | Time of Transfer septic and well evaluation | Required at sale | |
| Secord TownshipGladwin County | Time of Transfer septic and well evaluation | Required at sale | |
| Torch Lake TownshipAntrim County | Time of Transfer septic and well evaluation | Required at sale | |
| Village of Elk RapidsAntrim County | Time of Transfer septic and well evaluation | Required at sale |
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