ADEQ Septic Inspections
We specialize in thorough Septic tank pumping inspections, ensuring a smooth, stress-free process. Our experienced team guides you through every step, delivering the most comprehensive service available.
At HomeField East Valley, all our field employees are certified ADEQ and NAWT septic system inspectors, and even our office staff undergoes the same training. We’re ready to answer any questions and provide clear, accurate information. We don’t just inspect; we educate. Our team is equipped to explain your system in detail and provide precise inspection reports. No more waiting for reports and photos! We deliver them on the same day, often just a few hours after finishing the job. Need a last-minute inspection? Give us a call, and we’ll do our best to meet your deadline.
Booking Your Inspection is Simple!
Quick tips for you about the ADEQ Septic Inspection
- Biggest tip for this inspection.... DON'T WAIT! Over the years we have watched countless home sales derailed, postponed or even cancelled because the septic inspection turned up a failing system. Often times the system appears to be working inside of the home. However, just because it appears to be working inside the home doesn't mean it's functioning properly within the system.
- Septic tank cleaning and pumping inspection come back with 3 different results: Functional, Functional with concerns & Not Functional. Have questions about what this means? Check out the video above titled "The ADEQ Septic Inspection is back...Now What"
- Septic inspection reports are good for 6 months from the date of service - if it expires and you haven't sold, please give us a call!
- Our Blog is packed with valuable information on septic inspections. Be sure to take a look for more information!
- We have constructed an in depth FAQS section regarding ADEQ Septic tank inspections. Be sure to check it out!
Arizona requires an ADEQ septic inspection before any home on septic is sold. The seller hires a certified inspector within six months before closing, and the buyer files a Notice of Transfer within 15 calendar days after. HomeField East Valley handles the ADEQ septic inspection for sellers, buyers and agents across Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley and the rest of the East Valley, from our office at 1820 E Ray Rd in Chandler.
- 6 monthsMaximum age of the inspection at closing. The Report of Inspection expires after that.
- 15 daysCalendar days after closing for the buyer to file the Notice of Transfer.
- 1 per systemEvery septic system on the property needs its own Report of Inspection.
What the ADEQ septic inspection is, and who needs one
The ADEQ septic inspection is Arizona's transfer-of-ownership inspection, required by Arizona Administrative Code R18-9-A316 whenever a property with a septic system changes hands. It applies to conventional septic tanks and to alternative systems such as advanced treatment units. The resale of a home, by the owner or through an agent, is what usually triggers it.
The six-month rule is set by state rule, so it overrides anything in the purchase contract that says otherwise. The seller is the one who must hire the inspector. Once the report is done, the seller gives the buyer the completed Report of Inspection (ROI), plus any permit, operation or maintenance records they have for the system, before closing.
Two situations change the picture:
- A brand-new system that has never been used. If the system has a discharge authorization from ADEQ or the county and has never been put into service, the buyer can mark it exempt on the Notice of Transfer.
- A cesspool. Arizona does not allow cesspools for sewage disposal, and the Notice of Transfer form cannot be used to transfer one. If an older East Valley property turns out to have a cesspool, a replacement system is the conversation to have. Our septic installation and alterations team handles that.
Sources: ADEQ Notice of Transfer and Inspection · Maricopa County Onsite Wastewater Ownership Transfer (both checked 29 Sep 2026).
The ADEQ timeline: 6 months before closing, 15 days after
Schedule the ADEQ septic inspection early enough to fix anything it finds, but no more than six months before your closing date. In practice, the right time is as soon as the home is listed or under contract. A failing component found in week one is a repair. The same finding three days before closing is a delayed closing.
Enter your dates below to see when your report expires and when the Notice of Transfer is due.
ADEQ deadline calculator
Report valid for 6 months from the inspection date. Notice of Transfer due within 15 calendar days after closing.
A planning aid, not legal advice. Confirm exact dates with your escrow officer.
Where your Notice of Transfer gets filed in each East Valley town
The Notice of Transfer goes to Maricopa County if the property is in Maricopa County, and to ADEQ if it is in Pinal County. The East Valley straddles both counties, and the city of Maricopa is in Pinal County, not Maricopa County. That trips up a lot of buyers. The county follows the parcel, not the mailing address, so check the county assessor if you are near a line.
| Town | County | Where the buyer files | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe | Maricopa | Maricopa County Environmental Services, online through the county Permit Center | $60 per parcel |
| Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Laveen and Phoenix | Maricopa | Maricopa County Environmental Services | $60 per parcel |
| San Tan Valley, City of Maricopa, Gold Canyon | Pinal | ADEQ, online through the OWN portal | ADEQ fee, shown in the portal |
| Queen Creek | Maricopa or Pinal, by parcel | Maricopa parcels: the county. Pinal parcels: ADEQ | Depends on county |
| Apache Junction | Pinal or Maricopa, by parcel | Pinal parcels: ADEQ. Maricopa parcels: the county | Depends on county |
Either way, the fee is charged per parcel, not per system. The buyer is responsible for filing, and the form lets an escrow officer or title company submit it on the buyer's behalf, which is how most East Valley closings handle it. You will need the parcel number, the details from the Report of Inspection, and the system's permit file number. In Maricopa County, the county's online septic search usually turns that up in a few minutes.
What happens during a HomeField ADEQ septic inspection
An ADEQ septic inspection is a pump-out plus a component-by-component check of the tank and the disposal field, written up on ADEQ's Report of Inspection form. Arizona requires any significant amount of waste to be pumped from each tank as part of the inspection, so pumping is included, not an add-on. Here is how a HomeField visit runs:
- Find the tank and open it. We locate the tank and dig to the lids if there are no risers. The county septic record helps when the tank's location is not obvious.
- Pump every tank. Each tank is pumped out so the walls, inlet and outlet can be seen properly. ADEQ allows three narrow exceptions: a tank in service less than 12 months, an alternative system whose manufacturer's instructions say pumping is not needed, or no floating or settled waste at all.
- Check the tank's parts. We check the tank structure, baffles, lids and effluent filter, and clean the filter.
- Flow-test the disposal field. We run water through the system to confirm the leach field or seepage pit is accepting it the way it should.
- Close up and restore the ground. Lids go back on and the yard is put back the way we found it.
- Deliver the report. You get the Report of Inspection, photos and a map of where the system sits, emailed the same business day. We copy your agent and escrow officer if you ask, then call to walk you through the findings.
Every HomeField field technician is a certified ADEQ and NAWT septic inspector, and our office team trains on the same material, so the person who answers the phone can answer your question too.
Reading your ADEQ septic inspection report: the three possible results
Every HomeField ADEQ report comes back as Functional, Functional with concerns, or Not functional. The result tells the buyer, the seller and both agents what to talk about next. It does not decide who pays for what; that is between the parties and their contract.
| Result | What it means | What usually happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Functional | The inspector found the system operating as designed on the day of inspection. | The report goes to the buyer and the sale moves toward closing. Keep the report date in mind: it expires after six months. |
| Functional with concerns | The system works, but the inspector noted items that need attention, such as a worn baffle or a missing filter. | Buyer and seller decide whether to repair before closing, credit the cost, or accept it. Small items like risers or filters are often fixed during the same visit. |
| Not functional | A major part of the system is not working as designed. | Expect a repair or replacement quote before the deal goes further. Septic repairs and replacements can be financed through Hearth. |
If you want to see what commonly turns up, our write-ups on ADEQ inspection issues that delay home sales and septic issues that could sink your home sale cover the usual suspects.
What sets the cost of an ADEQ septic inspection
HomeField quotes each ADEQ septic inspection at a flat rate after looking up the property, because the price depends on the system, not on a guess. Give us the address and we can usually find the tank size on the county record and send a written quote the same day, which makes client approval simple for agents.
What moves the number:
- Tank size and count. More gallons to pump, or a second tank, means more work.
- Access. Lids under a foot or more of soil take digging; risers at grade do not.
- System type. Alternative systems such as advanced treatment units have more components to check.
The Notice of Transfer fee is separate and goes to the county or ADEQ, not to us. Request an ADEQ septic inspection quote and it arrives in writing.
Seller, buyer or agent: your ADEQ checklist
Each side of the sale has one job in the ADEQ process, and the dates are the part that goes wrong most often.
Selling
- Book the ADEQ septic inspection as soon as you list.
- Make sure closing lands inside the six-month window.
- Hand the buyer the ROI and any septic records before closing.
Buying
- Ask the seller for the ROI and read the result line.
- Check the inspection date against your closing date.
- File the Notice of Transfer within 15 days of closing, or confirm escrow is filing it.
Representing a client
- Send us the address for a written flat-rate quote.
- Ask us to copy you and escrow on the report.
- Flag Pinal parcels early; they file with ADEQ, not the county.
Why East Valley agents and homeowners book HomeField
HomeField East Valley has inspected, pumped and repaired septic systems across the East Valley since 2017 under Arizona ROC licence 315136. We are locally owned and woman-owned; owner Tanya Wilson built the company around explaining septic systems in plain language. That is why our reports come with a phone call, not just a PDF.
Our customers mention technicians by name, like Seth and Isaac, for explaining the system while they work and leaving the yard clean. Have more questions first? Our septic FAQs go deeper.
ADEQ septic inspection questions
How long is a septic inspection good for in Arizona?
Six months. The inspection must be done within six months before the property transfers, and ADEQ's Notice of Transfer instructions say the Report of Inspection is valid for only six months. If your closing slips past that date, you need a new inspection.
Does the seller have to have septic pumped and inspected in Arizona?
Yes. The seller must hire a qualified inspector, and any significant amount of waste must be pumped from each tank during the inspection. The only exceptions are a tank in service less than 12 months, an alternative system whose manufacturer says pumping is not needed, or a tank with no floating or settled waste.
Is a septic inspection required when selling a house?
In Arizona, yes, for any property served by a conventional septic system or an alternative onsite system. The requirement comes from A.A.C. R18-9-A316 and overrides conflicting contract terms. The one exemption is a newly permitted system that has never been put into service.
How much does a septic inspection typically cost in Arizona?
It depends on tank size, the number of tanks, how deep the lids are and the type of system, because the inspection includes pumping. HomeField gives a written flat-rate quote after looking up the property. The Notice of Transfer fee is separate: $60 per parcel in Maricopa County, and ADEQ's fee for Pinal County parcels.
What will fail a septic inspection?
A system is reported Not functional when a major part is not working as designed, for example a disposal field that will not accept the flow test, or a tank that is structurally failing. Problems that still allow the system to work, such as a worn baffle or missing effluent filter, are usually reported as Functional with concerns.
Who files the Notice of Transfer?
The buyer, within 15 calendar days after closing. Escrow or a title company can submit it on the buyer's behalf. Maricopa County parcels file with Maricopa County Environmental Services; Pinal County parcels, including San Tan Valley and the city of Maricopa, file online with ADEQ.
Listing soon? Book your ADEQ septic inspection now.
Report, photos and system map emailed the same business day, with your agent and escrow copied.
AZ ROC 315136 · Locally owned, woman-owned
1820 E Ray Rd, Ste A111, Chandler, AZ 85225
(602) 601-5751 · Find us on Google
Further reading: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, transfer-of-ownership inspection guide · ADEQ Notice of Transfer form and instructions.