Selling a house in Elizabeth Township, PA: what the city requires
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania · Last checked November 2026
Selling in Elizabeth requires a sewer dye test and an occupancy inspection before closing.
What Elizabeth Township requires
Sewer dye test
- Who does it
- A licensed, registered plumber performs the test and completes the municipal form.
- Cost
- Plumber's charge plus any municipal fee.
- Deadline
- Must pass before the municipality releases the lien letter and tax certification needed for closing.
- Applies to
- Required for property sales.
Occupancy (resale) inspection
- Who does it
- Municipal code enforcement or its inspection agency.
- Cost
- $75.
Who to call
Elizabeth Township
412-751-2880
Official page
Housing in Elizabeth Township
- Median year homes were built
- 1961
- Median home value
- $167,000
- Owner-occupied homes
- 4,652 of 5,253 (89%)
- Total housing units
- 5,769
Half the homes here were built in 1961 or earlier, so many sewer laterals are 65+ 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 Elizabeth township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Need this done in Elizabeth Township?
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How the sewer dye test process works
Most Allegheny County municipalities require a dye test before a sale. A plumber puts dye into downspouts, area drains and yard drains to prove that stormwater is not flowing into the sanitary sewer. Some also require a camera inspection of the lateral.
- Hire a licensed, Allegheny County registered plumber. Some municipalities require a plumber from their approved list, or do the test themselves.
- The plumber runs dye through downspouts and drains and completes the municipal form.
- If dye shows up in the sanitary line, the illegal connection must be fixed and the test redone.
- The municipality issues a certificate. It must be on file before the lien letter and tax certification are released for closing.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Municipal certificate fee | $20 to $350 |
| Downspout or drain disconnection | $300 to $3,000 |
| Lateral repair or replacement | $3,000 to $15,000 or more |
Read the full sewer dye test guide
How the occupancy inspection process works
Many Allegheny County boroughs and townships inspect a home before a new owner moves in and issue an occupancy permit. The checklist usually covers smoke detectors, handrails, electrical hazards and exterior condition.
- Apply to the municipality and pay the fee.
- Pass the inspection, or fix the listed items and get re-inspected.
- Give the occupancy certificate to the title company.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Municipal fee | $10 to $100 |
Read the full occupancy 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 Elizabeth Township require before I sell my house?
Selling in Elizabeth requires a sewer dye test and an occupancy inspection before closing.
How much does the sewer dye test cost in Elizabeth Township?
Plumber's charge plus any municipal fee. Typical related costs: municipal certificate fee $20 to $350; downspout or drain disconnection $300 to $3,000; lateral repair or replacement $3,000 to $15,000 or more.
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 Elizabeth Township?
The median home in Elizabeth Township was built in 1961, and the median home value is $167,000, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.
Nearby: Pittsburgh & Allegheny County
- East Deer Township Required at sale
- East McKeesport Borough Required at sale
- East Pittsburgh Borough Required at sale
- Edgewood Borough Required at sale
- Edgeworth Borough No point-of-sale rule
- Elizabeth Borough Required at sale
- Emsworth Borough Required at sale
- Etna Borough Required at sale
- Fawn Township Required at sale
- Findlay Township Required at sale
- Forest Hills Borough Required at sale
- Forward Township No point-of-sale rule
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Sources
- Pennsylvania Land Titles, Allegheny County Municipal Information: dye testing and occupancy (Feb. 2024)
- 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.