Septic inspection and pumping in Stanwood and Camano Island
Selling a home, buying one, or just keeping your system healthy. We connect you with certified local septic professionals who know Snohomish County's rules and Island County's rules, because out here you need both.
Stanwood · Snohomish County
New rule: inspections required at sale starting November 1, 2026
Ordinance BOH26-02. Inspection within 12 months of closing, tank pumped if recommended, Report of Property Transfer filed with the county.
Camano Island · Island County
Required at time of sale since 2008
Inspection by an Island County Licensed Maintenance Service Provider. 12-month window for alternative systems, 3 years for conventional.
What we handle
Point-of-sale inspections
The inspection, the pumping if it's flagged, the site plan if your as-built is missing, and the county paperwork. One call, sale-ready.
Septic pumping
Routine pumping for Stanwood and Camano tanks, typically $400 to $700. Access and tank size move the price more than anything.
Repair & drainfield
Alarms, backups, soggy ground over the field. Small fixes caught early beat a $10,000-plus drainfield replacement every time.
Where we work
Stanwood, Camano Island, Warm Beach, Lake Goodwin, Silvana, and the west edge of Arlington. No ferry needed for Camano; it's 15 minutes over the Mark Clark bridge from our side of the water. Most of the homes out here are on septic, the soils run to clay, and the water table gets high near the flats, which is exactly why inspections and regular pumping matter more here than most places.
Talk to a septic pro today
One call handles it: inspection, pumping if it's needed, and the county paperwork done right the first time.
Call (360) 454-9079Common questions
Do I need a septic inspection to sell my house in Stanwood?
Yes. Starting November 1, 2026, Snohomish County requires a septic inspection by a Health District-certified septic professional before every property sale, plus a Report of Property Transfer filed with the county ($245 fee). The inspection must be within 12 months of closing, and the tank gets pumped if the inspector recommends it. The only exemption is a system installed within the last 12 months.
What about selling on Camano Island?
Camano Island is Island County, and Island County has required a time-of-sale septic inspection since 2008. The inspection must be done by an Island County Licensed Maintenance Service Provider. For alternative systems the inspection must be within 12 months of the sale; for conventional gravity and pressure systems, within 3 years.
How much does a septic inspection cost?
Most full inspections run $300 to $600 depending on system type and access; Island County publishes a $100 to $500 range. In Snohomish County, add the $245 county Report of Property Transfer fee. If the inspector recommends pumping, that typically runs $400 to $700.
How often should I pump my septic tank?
It depends on tank size and household use, but most tanks need pumping every 3 to 5 years. Snohomish County recommends an inspection every 3 years for gravity systems and every year for pressure, ATU, and other alternative systems. Regular pumping is the cheapest insurance there is against a $10,000-plus drainfield failure.
How fast can someone get out here?
For sales-driven inspections, we can usually get a certified professional on site within a few days, and the county's Report of Property Transfer review takes up to 10 business days after that. Order the inspection when you list the home, not when you get an offer, and the paperwork never holds up closing.