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Point-of-sale requirement
Upper St. Clair dye test and sewer lateral inspection
Selling in Upper St. Clair takes two things before closing: a dye test and an inspection of the sanitary sewer lateral. The Township puts both on the seller.
What Upper St. Clair requires
Checked November 2026- Required for
- Sale or transfer of any property in the Township. The seller is responsible.
- What's required
- A dye test (Ordinance 1787, adopted 1998) plus a sanitary sewer lateral inspection (required since January 1, 2018)
- Who tests
- A registered plumber for the dye test. A NASSCO-certified contractor for the lateral camera inspection.
- Valid for
- The dye test expires 1 year after it's done.
- Deadline
- Completed forms at least 14 days before closing. The Township says processing takes 2 to 4 weeks, so start about 4 weeks out.
- Township fee
- $50 ($25 dye test + $25 lateral inspection), check payable to the Township of Upper St. Clair
- Also required when
- Improvements need both a Township building permit and an Allegheny County plumbing permit. This triggers the lateral inspection.
- Timing
- The Township recommends doing both early in the selling process, in case you don't pass and need repairs.
- Public Works
- 412-831-9000 ext. 2710
How to register with Upper St. Clair
- Call Public Works at 412-831-9000 ext. 2710, at least 24 hours ahead, to have the forms and map prepared. Pick them up at 1751 McLaughlin Run Road or ask for them by email.
- A registered plumber does the dye test. A NASSCO-certified contractor does the lateral camera inspection.
- Return the forms, the video and a $50 check payable to the Township of Upper St. Clair. Ask Public Works whether they go to the Tax Office or the Public Works Office; the Township's pages differ.
- Test when you list?
- Yes, if closing is within a year of the test.
- Town contact
- Public Works 412-831-9000 ext. 2710
What the inspection covers
- The dye test confirms that no surface water or groundwater connections run into the sanitary sewer.
- The lateral inspection checks the condition of the private sewer pipe from your house to the public main.
If the test fails
Failed connections and lateral defects have to be repaired before the sale can close. Start early so a repair doesn't push back your closing date.
Summarized from the municipality's published rules, last checked November 2026. We check them on the first of every month. Rules change, so confirm with your town before closing.