Septic inspection in Iowa
Quick answer
- Typical cost in Iowa
- $250–$550time-of-transfer inspection; depends on system complexity and access
- When it's required
- At sale or deed transferstatewide since July 1, 2009 (SF 261)
- Who may inspect
- DNR-certified inspectorscertified under 567 IAC 69, trained at DMACC's onsite wastewater center
- Who usually pays
- The sellerby custom, not by statute — negotiable in the purchase agreement
Iowa is one of the few states where a septic inspection is required by law: since July 1, 2009, every home or building served by a private septic system must have the system inspected by a DNR-certified inspector before it is sold or the deed is transferred. The inspection is statewide law, the inspectors are certified by the Iowa DNR, and the county recorder will look for the paperwork at closing.
Licensed septic inspection professionals in Iowa
The inspectors below are DNR-certified and appear as the inspector of record on time-of-transfer inspections filed with the Iowa DNR (2024–2026 records, checked Sep 1, 2026). The DNR's own certified-inspector list page is currently returning an error; we have requested the official roster and will verify against it. Listing is free — nobody pays to appear.
Adam Howe
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson +3 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Aj Killen
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Clarke, Dallas, Lucas, Madison +3 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Amanda Winters
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Butler, Franklin, Hardin counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Andrew Barber
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Black Hawk, Bremer, Chickasaw, Fayette counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Andrew Throndson
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Bremer, Chickasaw counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Andy Van Wyk
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Cherokee, O'Brien, Plymouth, Sioux +1 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Benjamin Delagardelle
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Black Hawk, Buchanan, Delaware, Fayette counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Bill Gilbert
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Benton, Iowa, Linn, Tama counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Brandon Morton
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock +2 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Brek Boruff
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Harrison, Monona, Pottawattamie, Shelby counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Brian Karr
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Benton, Buchanan, Dubuque, Jackson +1 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Bryan Lunning
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Hancock, Kossuth, Winnebago counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Bryan Westphal
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Hamilton, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk +3 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Case Burt
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Boone, Hamilton, Hardin, Marshall +2 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Chad Allen
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Harrison, Ida, Monona, Plymouth +1 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Chad Meseck
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Crawford, Greene, Ida, Monona +1 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Chad Ness
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Winneshiek County✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Chance Phillippi
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Adair, Union counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Christopher Wulf
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Cedar, Clinton, Muscatine, Sac +1 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Colin Ness
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette +2 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Colten Boyer
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Lee, Van Buren counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Colten Riley
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Calhoun, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas +1 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Corey Groth
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Corey Kadlec
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones +1 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Cory Bouchard
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Buena Vista, Cherokee, Ida counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Dalton Mcallister
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Fremont, Montgomery, Page, Taylor counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Dan Kuhl
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Fremont, Mills, Montgomery counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Daniel Michel
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Clinton, Dubuque, Jackson counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026David Ackles
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Henry, Jefferson, Washington counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026David Fenter
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Davis, Jefferson, Wapello counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026David Rempt
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Iowa, Linn counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026David Rhodes
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Clarke, Monroe, Wayne counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026David Sherman
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Plymouth, Woodbury counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Donald Villhauer, Jr.
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Cedar, Muscatine counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Drew Hodges
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Adair, Clarke, Dallas, Des Moines +9 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Duane Erpelding
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Kossuth County✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Elisha Howe
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, O'Brien +1 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Eric Morris
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Adair, Carroll, Guthrie counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Evan Leloux
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Lyon, O'Brien counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Everett Mullins
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Fremont, Page counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Gary Welker
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Clarke, Jasper, Marshall, Polk counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Glen Meyers
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Henry, Lee, Van Buren counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Glenwyn Mast
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Iowa, Jefferson, Johnson, Muscatine +1 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Grant Stroud
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Harrison Hayes
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Hamilton, Humboldt, Webster, Wright counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Howard Cooney
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Adams, Cass, Montgomery, Page +3 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Hunter Poppe
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Bremer, Butler counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Jacob Badger
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Boone, Story counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026James Johnson
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Cherokee, Ida counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026James Ricken
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Marshall County✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026James Sullivan
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Dallas, Madison, Union, Warren counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Jared Hasselmann
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Marshall, Tama counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Jared Van Kooten
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Keokuk, Mahaska, Monroe counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Jason Curry
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Cedar, Louisa, Muscatine counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Jd Griffith
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Poweshiek County✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Jeremy Evans
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan +2 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Jeremy Wise
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Page, Taylor counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Jody Bestell
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Jasper County✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Joe Meland
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Keokuk, Mahaska, Wapello counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Jonathan Leloux
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Lyon, O'Brien, Sioux counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Joseph Mcmanigal
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Crawford, Ida, Monona counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Joseph Mouser
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Cherokee, O'Brien, Plymouth, Woodbury counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Joshua Coe
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Franklin, Hancock, Humboldt, Mitchell +1 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Joshua Rockwell
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Boone, Hamilton, Story counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Justin Geerts
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Chickasaw County✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Justin Rozendaal
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Jasper, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion +3 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Keeley Park
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Crawford, Harrison, Shelby counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Kevin Hahn
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Louisa, Muscatine counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Kevin Kasperbauer
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Carroll, Crawford, Shelby counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Klayton Kramer
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Kossuth County✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Kyle Behounek
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Tama County✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Kyle Elwood
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Adair, Adams, Ringgold, Taylor +1 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Kyle Nekvinda
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Buchanan, Johnson, Jones, Linn counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Larry Price
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Appanoose, Clarke, Davis, Lucas +3 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Lucas Wolken
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Shelby County✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Marnie Overland
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Boone, Hamilton, Story counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Matt Wiese
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Cedar, Clinton, Jackson, Scott counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Melanie Woodyard
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Osceola +1 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Michael Lathrop
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Appanoose, Lucas, Monroe counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Michael Petersen
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Clinton County✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Micheal Badger
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Boone, Hamilton, Jasper counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Mike Gunderson
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Buena Vista, Pocahontas counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Mike Harkin
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Adair, Iowa, Madison, Union +1 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Mike Netser
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Muscatine +1 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Mike Yutzy
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Clarke, Decatur, Ringgold, Taylor +1 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Milferd Loewen
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Chickasaw, Howard, Mitchell, Winneshiek counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Mitch Meseck
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Crawford, Harrison, Ida, Woodbury counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Nathan Duncan
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Boone County✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Nathan Ostrander
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hancock, Winnebago +1 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Noah Oldenburger
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Black Hawk, Butler, Franklin, Grundy counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Parker Murguia
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Des Moines, Henry counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Randy Pedersen
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Buena Vista, Clay, Pocahontas, Sac counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Randy Wiley
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Jefferson, Lee, Van Buren, Wapello counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Rick Ratchford
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Buchanan County✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Rick Watts
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet +3 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Robb Harter
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Allamakee, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque +2 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Robert Mccaulley
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe +1 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Rodney Helps
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hancock, Winnebago +2 counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Ron Weldon
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Iowa, Keokuk, Washington counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026Rudy Brownfield
Licensed · DNR-certified Time of Transfer inspector (from DNR inspection records)
serves Fremont, Page counties✓ license checked against the state roll Sep 1, 2026
Showing 100 of 117 licensed businesses (alphabetical). Yours not shown? It is still in our register — claim your listing and add your details to appear.
What it costs in Iowa
The inspection itself is a few hundred dollars; the real money question is what it finds — a failed or sub-standard system means repair or replacement before or after closing.
A time-of-transfer inspection typically runs $250 to $550, depending on how complex the system is and how easy the tank and secondary treatment are to reach. Locating and digging to buried lids adds cost, and pumping the tank (often sensible at the same visit) is separate. If the inspection finds a sub-standard system — no secondary treatment after the tank, or a failed one — the fix is a repair or replacement job that needs a county permit and a licensed installer.
Rules and permits in Iowa
The time-of-transfer law is Iowa Code 455B.172 with rules in 567 IAC Chapter 69, in force since July 1, 2009 (Senate File 261). Before a home served by a private sewage disposal system is sold or its deed transferred, the system must be inspected by an inspector certified by the Iowa DNR, and the result accompanies the Groundwater Hazard Statement filed with the county recorder.
A system is sub-standard if there is no secondary treatment after the septic tank — no leach field, sand filter or other approved device — or if the secondary treatment has failed. Sub-standard systems must be brought up; an existing system with a tank and working secondary treatment that poses no health or environmental hazard does not have to meet current construction code.
There are recognized exemptions and binding agreements for special situations — a weather delay (inspection impossible in winter), a planned demolition of the building, or a signed agreement to install a new system after closing — each on the DNR's forms. Your county environmental health office administers the local side and issues permits for any repair or replacement the inspection triggers.
Questions people in Iowa ask
What happens if the system fails the inspection?
The sale doesn't automatically die — the buyer and seller negotiate who fixes it and when. A repair or replacement needs a county permit and a licensed installer, and a binding agreement can put the fix after closing. Unaddressed, the transfer can be delayed or the deal cancelled.
How do I find a certified inspector?
Only DNR-certified inspectors may do the inspection. The companies listed on this page appear as inspectors on time-of-transfer inspections filed with the Iowa DNR.
Does a refinance or inheritance trigger the inspection?
The law bites at sale or deed transfer. Some transfers are exempt on the DNR's exemption form — your closing agent or county recorder will know which form your situation needs.
Should the tank be pumped at the inspection?
Often yes — the inspector needs to see the tank's condition, and if it hasn't been pumped in years, doing both in one visit saves a second trip charge.
Sources
- Iowa DNR — Time of Transfer inspections (Iowa Code 455B.172, 567 IAC 69, certified-inspector requirement) — read Sep 1, 2026
- Story County Environmental Health — Time of Transfer information (SF 261, exemptions, sub-standard definition) — read Sep 1, 2026
- Cost range: Iowa time-of-transfer inspection guide (Josh Dicks Realty), $250–$550, seller-pays custom — read Sep 1, 2026
Listed here and want changes, or want your listing removed? Tell us — done within a day. Costs are ranges from the sources above, not quotes; your price depends on the tank, the access and the distance.