Selling a house in South Versailles Township, PA: what the city requires
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania · Last checked November 2026
Selling in South Versailles requires a sewer dye test and occupancy or zoning certificate (may apply) before closing.
What South Versailles 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 or zoning certificate (may apply)
- Who does it
- Municipal code enforcement or its inspection agency.
- Occupancy or zoning may be required. Ask the township inspector.
Who to call
South Versailles Township
412-754-2536
Housing in South Versailles Township
- Median year homes were built
- 1953
- Median home value
- $116,000
- Owner-occupied homes
- 143 of 156 (92%)
- Total housing units
- 162
Half the homes here were built in 1953 or earlier, so many sewer laterals are 73+ 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 South Versailles township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Need this done in South Versailles 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 South Versailles Township require before I sell my house?
Selling in South Versailles requires a sewer dye test and occupancy or zoning certificate (may apply) before closing.
How much does the sewer dye test cost in South Versailles 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 South Versailles Township?
The median home in South Versailles Township was built in 1953, and the median home value is $116,000, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.
Nearby: Pittsburgh & Allegheny County
- Sewickley Heights Borough Required at sale
- Sewickley Hills Borough Required at sale
- Shaler Township Required at sale
- Sharpsburg Borough Required at sale
- South Fayette Township Required at sale
- South Park Required at sale
- Springdale Borough Required at sale
- Stowe Township No point-of-sale rule
- Swissvale Borough Required at sale
- Tarentum Borough Required at sale
- Thornburg Borough Required at sale
- Trafford Borough Required at sale
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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.