Selling a house in West Deer Township, PA: what the city requires
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania · Last checked November 2026
Selling in West Deer requires a sewer dye test and an occupancy inspection before closing. The dye test certificate fee is $100.
What West Deer Township requires
Sewer dye test
- Who does it
- The municipality or its sewer authority performs or witnesses the test.
- Cost
- $100 municipal fee, plus the plumber's charge.
- Deadline
- Must pass before the municipality releases the lien letter and tax certification needed for closing.
- Applies to
- Required for purchases and refinances.
- The Deer Creek Drainage Basin Authority performs the test. The $100 lien letter fee includes it.
Occupancy (resale) inspection
- Who does it
- Municipal code enforcement or its inspection agency.
- The township does a drive-by exterior check.
Who to call
West Deer Township
724-265-3680
Official page
Housing in West Deer Township
- Median year homes were built
- 1973
- Median home value
- $244,100
- Owner-occupied homes
- 4,644 of 5,331 (87%)
- Total housing units
- 5,540
Half the homes here were built in 1973 or earlier, so many sewer laterals are 53+ 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 Deer township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Need this done in West Deer 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 West Deer Township require before I sell my house?
Selling in West Deer requires a sewer dye test and an occupancy inspection before closing. The dye test certificate fee is $100.
How much does the sewer dye test cost in West Deer Township?
$100 municipal fee, plus the plumber's charge. 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 West Deer Township?
The median home in West Deer Township was built in 1973, and the median home value is $244,100, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.
Nearby: Pittsburgh & Allegheny County
- Trafford Borough Required at sale
- Turtle Creek Borough Required at sale
- Upper St. Clair Township Required at sale
- Verona Borough Required at sale
- Versailles Borough Required at sale
- Wall Borough Required at sale
- West Elizabeth Borough Required at sale
- West Homestead Borough Required at sale
- West Mifflin Borough Required at sale
- West View Borough Required in some cases
- Whitaker Borough Required at sale
- White Oak 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.