Metro Reference Guide
TISH Inspections
A complete guide to Truth-in-Sale-of-Housing and Inflow/Infiltration inspection requirements across the Twin Cities metro. Know what's required before you list.
Last updated: April 2026
The Basics
What is a TISH Inspection?
Some Minnesota cities require a Truth-in-Sale-of-Housing (TISH) inspection before a property can be listed for sale. Also known as Point-of-Sale, Time-of-Sale, or Code-Compliance evaluations, these inspections focus on risks to life and health. They're different from a buyer's inspection — here's how.
Required Inspections
Which Cities Require a TISH Inspection?
The following Twin Cities metro cities require a TISH, Time-of-Sale, or Point-of-Sale inspection. Click any city for official program details.
Bloomington
Time-of-Sale Housing Inspection
- Properties
- Single Family, Duplex & Multiple Family (condos, townhouses, mobile homes)
- When required
- Before listing
- Validity
- 1 year
Columbia Heights
Time-of-Sale Housing Inspection + Sewer Inspection
- Properties
- Single Family, Duplex, Triplex, Condos, Townhouses, mobile homes
- When required
- Before selling
- Fee
- $160 for initial and final inspections
Maplewood
Truth-in-Sale of Housing
- Properties
- All Dwellings
- When required
- Prior to sale
- Validity
- 1 year
- Repairs
- Disclosure only — seller not required to fix items
Minneapolis
Truth-in-Sale of Housing (TISH)
- Properties
- Single Family, Duplex, Townhouses, first-time condo conversions
- When required
- Within 3 days of listing
- Validity
- 2 years or until ownership changes
- Repairs
- Some items must be repaired before closing; buyer may agree to complete within 90 days if seller cannot
New Hope
Point of Sale Inspection
- Properties
- All Dwellings
- When required
- Before listing
Richfield
Point of Sale Inspection
- Properties
- All Dwellings
- When required
- Before listing
- Fee
- $150 single family · $250 two-family · $100 condominium
Saint Louis Park
Property Maintenance Inspection
- Properties
- Single Family, Duplex, Townhouses, Condominiums
- When required
- Before listing (permit required)
Saint Paul
Truth in Sale of Housing Disclosure Report
- Properties
- Single Family, Duplex, Townhouses, Condominiums, Co-ops
- When required
- Must be available within 3 days of listing
- Validity
- 1 year (365 days)
- Repairs
- Disclosure only — only hard-wired smoke detectors are mandatory
South Saint Paul
Time-of-Sale Housing Inspection
- Properties
- Single Family, Duplex, Multiple Family, mobile homes
- When required
- Before listing
Sewer Inspections
Inflow & Infiltration (I/I) Inspections
Some cities don't require a full TISH inspection but do require an Inflow/Infiltration (I/I) inspection at time of sale. These check whether clear water sources — like sump pumps, foundation drains, or roof downspouts — are improperly connected to the sanitary sewer system, which can overload treatment facilities during heavy rain.
Golden Valley
- Properties
- All properties — Residential and Commercial
- When required
- Before property can be sold
Mounds View
- Properties
- All Dwellings
- When required
- Prior to property transfer
Orono
- Properties
- All Dwellings
- When required
- Before selling or transferring property
- Validity
- Certification remains valid until resale
- Fee
- $250 residential · $750 commercial/multi-unit
Saint Anthony Village
- Properties
- All Dwellings
- When required
- Before selling property
Tonka Bay
- Properties
- All Dwellings
- When required
- At time of sale
West Saint Paul
- Properties
- All Dwellings
- When required
- At time of sale
No Longer Required
Cities That Have Discontinued TISH Requirements
These cities previously required TISH or Point-of-Sale inspections but have since repealed them. No inspection is required for sales in these cities.
- Brooklyn ParkDiscontinued 2013
- CrystalDiscontinued September 2015
- HopkinsRepealed effective January 14, 2021
- OsseoDiscontinued January 2016
- RobbinsdaleDiscontinued February 2024
Pre-Listing Prep
How to Prepare for a TISH Inspection
Many common TISH issues can be fixed cheaply before the inspection, saving your sellers from negotiating costly repairs later. Here are the items that come up most often.
Smoke & CO Alarms
Missing or inoperable smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are the #1 finding. Test every alarm and replace batteries. Most cities require one on every level and outside each sleeping area.
Backflow Preventers
Outdoor faucets must have backflow preventers (vacuum breakers) to keep contaminated water from flowing back into the city water supply. Inexpensive and easy to install.
Plumbing Leaks
Fill each sink and tub, pull the stopper, and watch the pipes for leaks. Do this for every sink, tub, and laundry basin — including ones that don't get used often. A small leak can often be fixed by tightening with a wrench.
Other Common Findings
Inspectors also commonly flag electrical issues, gas piping problems, furnace/boiler concerns, water heater issues, gas appliance venting, gas dryer connections, and missing fire separation between the garage and living space.
We've got you covered
Not Sure What Your City Requires?
We deal with TISH and I/I inspections across the metro every day. Book a consultation and we'll walk you through exactly what's needed for your transaction.