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DeKalb County Water Compliance Certificate: Just $50

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.

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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.

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Skip the expensive plumbing companies. I offer standalone DeKalb County water compliance inspections for a flat fee of $50. It is free with a home inspection. 

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: Maximum 1.6 Gallons Per Flush (GPF)

  • Showerheads: Maximum 2.5 Gallons Per Minute (GPM)

  • Bathroom Faucets: Maximum 2.0 Gallons Per Minute (GPM)

  • Kitchen Faucets: 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.

How Our $50 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.

  4. Get Your Water Turned On: Submit your signed document to DeKalb County Watershed Management to establish your water and sewer service.

Who Needs This Certificate?

The ordinance specifically applies to houses and condos located in unincorporated DeKalb County that were constructed prior to 1993.

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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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just have a plumber do this?

Yes, but most master plumbers charge standard service call rates (often $150–$350+) just to come out and look at your toilets. Because we are licensed home inspectors, we are legally authorized by DeKalb County to sign your certificate, and our standalone service is just $50.

What happens if a fixture fails the inspection?

If a faucet or showerhead fails, you can often fix it simply by purchasing a cheap low-flow aerator from a local hardware store. If a toilet fails, it will need to be replaced. Once the non-compliant fixtures are updated, we will re-verify them and sign the certificate.

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