DeKalb County Water Compliance Certificate: Just $100
If you are buying or selling a home in DeKalb County, you might have hit a sudden roadblock: you cannot get your water service turned on without a Certificate of Compliance.
DeKalb County requires properties built before January 1, 1993, to meet specific low-flow plumbing standards before ownership transfers. Certified home inspectors are authorized to verify your plumbing fixtures and issue the required certificate so your real estate closing stays on track, or so you can get your water turned on if your inspector never gave you a certificate.
Flat fee
$100
Skip the expensive plumbing companies. I offer standalone DeKalb County water compliance inspections for a flat fee of $100. It is free with a home inspection.
Free with a home inspection
Process
How My $100 Inspection Process Works
1
Schedule Your Visit
Book online, or it is included with a standard home inspection.
2
Fixture Verification
I will arrive and evaluate the GPF and GPM of all toilets, showerheads, and faucets in the property.
3
Instant Certification
Once all fixtures pass, I will sign and issue the official DeKalb County Certificate of Compliance.
Standards
What Are the DeKalb County Low-Flow Requirements?
During our inspection, I test your home’s plumbing fixtures against DeKalb County’s strict water conservation thresholds. To pass and receive your certificate, your home must meet the following standards:
Toilets
1.6
GPF
Maximum 1.6 Gallons Per Flush (GPF)
Showerheads
2.5
GPM
Maximum 2.5 Gallons Per Minute (GPM)
Bathroom Faucets
2.0
GPM
Maximum 2.0 Gallons Per Minute (GPM)
Kitchen Faucets
2.2
GPM
Maximum 2.2 Gallons Per Minute (GPM)
Note: If your fixtures do not meet these standards, they must be retrofitted or replaced before we can issue your final certificate.
Who needs it
Who Needs This Certificate?
The ordinance specifically applies to houses and condos located in unincorporated DeKalb County that were constructed prior to 1993.
By law, sellers must disclose this ordinance during the sale, and buyers must produce the signed Certificate of Compliance with their application for water service. Because the county requires a licensed plumber or a certified home inspector to sign off, you cannot self-certify the home.
Exemptions
Are There Any Exemptions?
Yes. DeKalb County allows exemptions for a few specific circumstances. You do not need to upgrade your fixtures if:
The property was constructed after January 1, 1993.
The property is being transferred between spouses or parents and children.
The property was advertised as a foreclosure.
The home will be demolished after the sale.
Replacing a historic or architecturally restricted fixture would cause extreme economic hardship (costing over $1,000 per toilet).
Note: If you qualify for an exemption, you must still submit an official Exemption Form with your water service application.
FAQ