What is Title 5 Inspection?

A Title 5 Inspection is an inspection of on-site disposal systems (septic systems) in the state of Massachusetts

When is a Title 5 Inspection required?

Increasing the number of Bedrooms

If you propose to add bedrooms to your house the Board of Health may require a Title 5 Inspection be performed.

Sale of a Property

Title 5 inspections are required within 2 years of the sale of a property. This can be extended to 3 years if the Septic tank was pumped every year since the inspection.

Large systems

For systems between 10,000 - 15,000 Gallons per day, inspections are required every 5 years on the Basin Schedule

Required by Board of Health

The Board of Health can choose to require a title 5 inspection in specific instances

What happens in a Title 5 Inspection?

Septic Tank components get uncovered

Groundwater elevation is determined

System is evaluated for functionality and compliance

Proximity to wells, waterbodies, and wetlands is determined

Your Results

Your septic system will meet one of the four following criteria

Conditional Pass

Your system will pass if a specific component is repaired

Further Evaluation Required

This happens in very specific instances. The board of health will determine the next steps.

Pass

You are good to go!

Fail

The system will need to be replaced. The board of health will determine the next steps.