Not sure if a McLean home is on septic or public sewer? You are not alone. It affects inspections, permits, costs, and even how you negotiate a contract. In a few minutes, you can learn how to confirm service, what Fairfax County requires, typical costs, and the exact steps to take whether you are buying or selling. Let’s dive in.
Public sewer availability
Fairfax County considers public sewer “available” to a single‑family home when a public main is within 300 feet and gravity flow is feasible. If sewer is available, the county expects you to connect and obtain permits and pay applicable fees. If a line must be extended to reach your property, the owner who requests the extension pays for it. You can review the rules and process on the county’s page on how to connect to the public sanitary sewer system.
How to verify availability
- Check the county’s Digital Map Viewer using the Sanitary Sewer layer, or call DPWES Wastewater Planning and Monitoring at 703‑324‑5015 to confirm distance and gravity feasibility. The same office can confirm fees and next steps listed under connecting to the public system.
- Ask for sewer as‑built information if sewer is available, and confirm permit requirements before any work begins.
If the home is on septic
Fairfax County’s Health Department oversees onsite sewage systems, permits, and maintenance records. Conventional systems must be pumped at least every five years. Alternative systems have additional inspection and sampling requirements. You can find program details and request records through the county’s page on onsite sewage and private wells.
Order a compliant inspection (when needed)
When a septic inspection is requested for a sale or refinance, Virginia’s new law effective July 1, 2025, now in effect, sets minimum standards. Only licensed onsite sewage professionals may inspect. The inspector must provide a written contract before the inspection and deliver a written report within 10 business days that documents what was inspected and any adverse conditions. See the state statute on septic inspections tied to real‑estate transactions.
Connecting to public sewer
If sewer is available, you will need permits, a licensed contractor to tap the main, and payment of availability or connection fees as required. Monthly sewer charges are billed through Fairfax Water and include a base charge plus usage rates. Review current sewer billing details at Fairfax Water’s sewer charges page and confirm parcel‑specific availability and connection fees with DPWES.
Abandoning a septic system after connecting
When you connect to public sewer, the septic tank must be properly abandoned for safety. Fairfax instructs owners to coordinate abandonment with the Health Department. Start with the county’s onsite sewage program page and follow their guidance when pumping and filling the tank.
Who maintains what
You own and maintain the sewer lateral from your house to the public main. The County maintains the public main. Unrepaired laterals can trigger code issues, so confirm condition before or during a transaction. See Fairfax’s guidance on property maintenance responsibilities.
Costs and timelines
- Septic maintenance: Pumping typically runs a few hundred dollars in our region, often about 300 to 700 dollars depending on tank size and access. Routine maintenance costs less than major repairs. See the EPA’s homeowner guidance on septic care and maintenance.
- Public sewer: Expect permit and connection fees plus contractor costs for the lateral and tap. If a main extension is needed, the requesting owner pays for the extension. Monthly billing details are at Fairfax Water, and project‑specific fees should be confirmed with DPWES.
- Timing: Septic inspection reports must be delivered within 10 business days when ordered under Virginia law. Sewer availability checks, permitting, and construction can take weeks to months, especially if a main extension is required. See the state inspection timing in the Virginia code.
Environmental and zoning flags
Parts of McLean sit within Resource Protection Areas under the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance. RPA buffers can affect where a leach field can be repaired or relocated, and they can add permitting steps. Review Fairfax’s Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance and check maps before planning septic work. In some cases, state or local programs may assist with repairs that protect waterways. See the Virginia Department of Health’s overview of onsite sewage organizations and programs.
Your McLean septic/sewer checklist
- Step A: Confirm public sewer availability
- Check the Sanitary Sewer map or call DPWES at 703‑324‑5015 to confirm whether a main is within 300 feet and gravity flow is feasible. Review the county’s connection guidance.
- Step B: Gather septic records
- Request the operation permit and pump‑out history in PLUS from the Health Department. Confirm whether the system is conventional or an alternative system with added O&M rules. Start at Onsite Sewage & Private Wells.
- If an inspection is ordered, hire a licensed professional and use a written contract. Expect a written report within 10 business days per state law.
- Step C: Planning a sewer connection
- Confirm if a main extension is needed and who pays. Coordinate permits, contractor selection, and fees with DPWES and Fairfax Water’s sewer charges.
- After connection, abandon the septic tank per Health Department guidance listed on the county’s onsite sewage page.
- Step D: Clarify responsibilities
- You maintain the private lateral. The County maintains the public main. Review Fairfax’s property maintenance guidance and consider a lateral evaluation during due diligence.
Ready for next steps?
If you are weighing septic versus sewer in McLean, a clear plan can save you time and money. From verifying service and ordering the right inspection to coordinating permits and negotiations, you deserve practical guidance and steady communication. If you want a local, boutique approach backed by a major brokerage, reach out to Anthony C Ford to talk through your situation.
FAQs
Is a septic inspection required to sell a home in McLean?
- No. Virginia’s law governs inspections when they are requested for a sale or refinance, but it does not require one in every sale; check your contract and see the state statute.
What counts as public sewer “available” in Fairfax County?
- For single‑family homes, a main within 300 feet with feasible gravity flow generally means sewer is available, per county rules on connecting to the public system.
How often must a septic tank be pumped in Fairfax?
- At least every five years for conventional systems, with additional requirements for alternative systems, per the Health Department’s onsite sewage guidance.
Who pays to extend a sewer line to a property in McLean?
- If an extension is needed to reach your parcel, the property owner who requests the extension typically pays for it; see the county’s connection guidance.
What documents should a buyer request for a septic property?
- Ask for the operation permit, PLUS pump‑out history, any O&M contracts for alternative systems, as‑built drawings or design, and any prior inspection reports from the Health Department’s onsite sewage page.
