After years of advocacy by Illinois REALTORS® Local Governmental Affairs Director Kristie Engerman and the Peoria Area Association of REALTORS®, the Fulton County Board adopted REALTOR®-supported changes to the county’s ordinances regulating septic systems and wells.

The county will no longer require mandated inspections prior to the purchase or transfer of a property. Instead, important inspections will be recommended—but not required—and the property owner will be able to choose the licensed contractor to perform those inspections. This will significantly reduce a single-family home’s time on the market, saving buyers and sellers time and money during a transaction.

Previously, septic and well inspections were required and the inspections HAD to be performed by the county health department staff. After months of working with the county’s health administrator, health committee and county board chairman, REALTORS® secured this important protection of private property rights for residents in Fulton County.

Now, all buyers are encouraged to have the septic system inspected prior to purchase or transfer. Sellers of the property are required to disclose whether they are aware of material defects in their septic system. A professional inspection can help identify potential issues with the system.

The REALTOR® position when advocating for changes to Fulton County’s code was to:

• Reduce delays and the increased costs in transactions by removing the requirement that only county staff could perform required inspections.
• Increase efficiency for buyers, sellers and Fulton County.
• Reduce the county’s liability due to inconsistent and inaccurate inspections performed by county staff.
• Protect private property rights by allowing buyers and sellers to select the licensed contractor of their choice when performing important well and septic inspections.