Selling a house in West St. Paul, MN: what the city requires
Dakota County, Minnesota · Last checked November 2026
West St. Paul requires a point-of-sale sewer inspection before a home is sold. All dwellings.
What West St. Paul requires
Point-of-sale sewer inspection
- Who does it
- Licensed sewer contractor, usually with a camera, filed with the city.
- Applies to
- All dwellings.
Who to call
City of West St. Paul
651-552-4137
Housing in West St. Paul
- Median year homes were built
- 1970
- Median home value
- $301,300
- Owner-occupied homes
- 5,595 of 9,780 (57%)
- Total housing units
- 10,312
Half the homes here were built in 1970 or earlier, so many sewer laterals are 56+ years old and made of clay or cast iron. Older laterals are the ones most likely to fail a test, so budget for a camera inspection before you list.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for West St. Paul city, Dakota County, Minnesota.
Need this done in West St. Paul?
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How the point-of-sale sewer inspection process works
Some Minnesota cities require a camera inspection of the private sewer line at sale, to find cracks, roots and illegal connections such as sump pumps that drain into the sanitary sewer.
- Hire a sewer contractor to televise the line.
- File the inspection with the city.
- Repair defects the city flags, or arrange for the buyer to take them on if the city allows it.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Sewer camera inspection | $200 to $500 |
| Sewer line repair | $3,000 to $20,000 |
Read the full point-of-sale sewer inspection guide
Other towns with the same requirement: Sewer lateral video or dye test
If the house fails
You can repair before closing, use an escrow or extension where the city allows it, let the buyer assume the work for a credit, or sell as-is. Compare the options.
Frequently asked questions
What does West St. Paul require before I sell my house?
West St. Paul requires a point-of-sale sewer inspection before a home is sold. All dwellings.
What if my house fails?
You can make the repairs before closing, negotiate a credit with the buyer, or sell as-is to a buyer who will handle the work. Ask the municipality whether it allows a buyer to assume the work or an escrow.
Who pays, the buyer or the seller?
The ordinance usually makes the seller responsible for ordering it, but who pays for repairs is negotiable in the purchase agreement.
How old are the homes in West St. Paul?
The median home in West St. Paul was built in 1970, and the median home value is $301,300, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.
Nearby: Twin Cities
- Apple Valley No point-of-sale rule
- Blaine No point-of-sale rule
- Bloomington Required at sale
- Brooklyn Center No point-of-sale rule
- Brooklyn Park No point-of-sale rule
- Burnsville No point-of-sale rule
- Columbia Heights Required at sale
- Coon Rapids No point-of-sale rule
- Eagan No point-of-sale rule
- Inver Grove Heights No point-of-sale rule
- Lakeville No point-of-sale rule
- South St. Paul Required at sale
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Sources
- Structure Tech, Minnesota cities requiring Truth-in-Housing / Time-of-Sale (reviewed Feb. 26, 2026)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables B25035, B25077, B25003, B25001)
Last checked November 2026. Rules and fees change by ordinance and resolution. Confirm with the municipality before you list. See something out of date? Report a change.