Community Development receives numerous calls from residents selling their home, wondering if they need special permits.  You do not need an occupancy permit for selling an existing home.  However, if the property has a private sewage system (septic system) and/or private well, the systems must be approved by a third party inspector.

PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL CODE

REGARDING TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP INSPECTIONS

Prior to the transfer of ownership of any property served by a private sewage disposal system and/or private well, the seller shall have the private sewage disposal system and/or private well inspected for compliance with this Code and with the other standards enumerated in Section 626.020, Ordinances of St. Charles County, Missouri. Also, a Private Sewage Disposal Operating Permit must be obtained.  The inspections shall be conducted by a third party inspector licensed by St. Charles County. Inspection fees shall be the responsibility of the seller. All violations found at the time of inspection shall be corrected by either the seller or the buyer. If the buyer accepts responsibility to correct the violations, the buyer must meet the following requirements:

1.   The buyer must sign an affidavit accepting responsibility for correcting violations and deliver that affidavit to the St. Charles County Division of Building Code Enforcement; and

2.   Either the buyer or seller must establish an escrow account as provided by law in which is deposited a fund sufficient to cover the costs of correcting violations, as determined by the Director of the St. Charles County Division of Building Code Enforcement based on bids or other documentation provided by the buyer or seller. That escrow account shall be established pursuant to an escrow or lender's agreement prepared on a form to be developed and supplied by the Director of the St. Charles County Division of Building Code Enforcement and complying substantially with forms authorized by St. Charles County Ordinance No. 93-44. The Director shall release escrow funds only when the private sewage disposal system and/or private well are brought into compliance with applicable codes.

Listed below are the active third party inspectors as of February 2010.  If you have any questions, please contact the Building Code Enforcement Division at 636-949-7345.

Private Sewage Disposal Operating Permit