Service areas

We cover Iowa’s larger metros and the rural counties around them, where private septic systems and time-of-transfer inspections are most common. Each city page carries its county’s specifics.

Iowa's time-of-transfer inspection is a statewide rule set by the Iowa DNR, but a county environmental health or public health office administers it where you live, and some counties add their own requirements. Each page below names that office and the one local detail that changes the process, then offers a free match. New to the rule? Start with the time-of-transfer guide.

• Des Moines

  Polk County

  The sewered core rarely triggers the rule; the on-septic ring of acreages and unincorporated parcels does.

  Administered by Polk County Environmental Health Services. See the Des Moines page.

• Ankeny

  Polk County

  Fast growth keeps pushing new buyers toward exurban parcels still on private septic.

  Administered by Polk County Environmental Health Services. See the Ankeny page.

• West Des Moines

  Polk and Dallas counties

  The city line splits two counties, so two offices can apply to one town.

  Administered by Dallas County Environmental Health (west side) and Polk County. See the West Des Moines page.

• Cedar Rapids

  Linn County

  A tank must be pumped at inspection, or documented as pumped within three years.

  Administered by Linn County Public Health, On-site Wastewater Program. See the Cedar Rapids page.

• Iowa City

  Johnson County

  The county layers its own 2020 septic regulations on top of state code.

  Administered by Johnson County Public Health. See the Iowa City page.

• Council Bluffs

  Pottawattamie County

  A county ordinance (Chapter 5.50) applies alongside state code.

  Administered by Pottawattamie County Environmental Health. See the Council Bluffs page.

Do not see your town? Get matched anyway and tell us where you are in Iowa, or browse the full list of septic services.