SepticCheck WA

Skagit County septic O&M checklist

LHJ: Skagit County Public Health (Environmental Health)
Site: SepticCheck WA · not an official Skagit County page.

Quick facts

Topic What Skagit County materials say (re-check live)
Inspection interval Every 3 years for conventional gravity (tank + gravity drainfield only). Every year for all other system types, including proprietary / complex systems. Proprietary systems also need a current maintenance contract recorded on title.
Self-inspect allowed? Only after you meet Skagit’s homeowner inspection policy (gravity systems only). Complete Septics 101 + Septics 201, meet setbacks and as-built rules, then submit the county homeowner form + required photos. Default path: hire a certified O&M specialist.
Training Free online Septics 101 (quiz) then Septics 201. Quiz app: skagitcounty.net/forms/quizapp. Extra training with a certified O&M provider is required before a homeowner may evaluate pump systems.
Report portal Certified O&M specialists file electronically through OnlineRME. Homeowner reports go to Public Health by email or mail (not OnlineRME) within 30 days of inspection.
Property transfer Seller must have a certified O&M inspection within 6 months of closing (unless one already exists in that window). Buyer gets a copy. Homeowner DIY inspections are not valid for real-estate transfer.
Pumping vs inspection Not the same. Inspection checks components and tells you whether to pump. County guidance: pump when solids reach about 1/3 of the tank — don’t pump on a fixed schedule just because.

Homeowner checklist

  1. Confirm Skagit County jurisdiction and pull your as-built / record drawing at Septic Search. No as-built? A certified O&M provider must create and submit one with the first inspection.
  2. Read your interval from county materials + WAC 246-272A-0270: gravity ≤3 years; everything else annual (or more if the Health Officer requires).
  3. Default: hire from Skagit’s certified system maintenance providers list (linked from the on-site sewage program page). They inspect and file OnlineRME.
  4. Only if pursuing DIY (gravity only): confirm you meet all policy gates — conventional gravity; as-built on file; drainfield ≥200 ft from marine waters and ≥100 ft from surface waters; a certified O&M inspection within the last three cycles; not a sale/transfer inspection; Septics 101 quiz done; Septics 201 completed.
  5. DIY reporting: use the county homeowner inspection form. Email septic@co.skagit.wa.us or mail to 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 within 30 days. Include photos of open tank lids, the outlet baffle, and the distribution box if present.
  6. Selling? Skip DIY. Schedule a Skagit-certified O&M specialist so the report is within 6 months of closing. See the real estate transfer fact sheet.
  7. Failure / repair help: county points failing systems to designers/installers (permit required) and notes Craft3 Clean Water loans at craft3.org/CleanWater. Rebate program details live on the county on-site sewage page — re-check amounts before you apply.

Official contacts

Disclosures

Not affiliated with Skagit County Public Health, WA DOH, or OnlineRME. Not a DIY how-to for opening tanks. Hire licensed/certified providers when required. See about & disclosures.