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Legal
Illegal
14
Conditions Required
11
Pemit Required
9
Legal with NSF approval

Outhouses Legality by State [Updated March 2023]

Outhouses Legality by State [Updated March 2023]

How Does The U.S. Regulate Off-Grid Living?

Outhouses are generally considered off-grid modifications for the release of human waste. Few states make the distinction between the two extremes of legal and illegal; most have adopted an approval or permit system. Generally speaking, if the area is highly metropolitan, has a large population, or is concerned about water usage, their laws will be more strict in regard to outhouse installation.

For off grid-living, there are different types of outhouse toilets. Traditional outhouses, bucket toilets, compostable toilets, and tank/septic systems are all popular options. Compostable toilets should have NSF certification to be used

In What States Are Outhouses Legal?

  • Alabama: outhouses are illegal.
  • Alaska: Outhouses are allowed but strict rules apply.
  • Arizona: Legal with a permit. Certain modifications may apply.
  • Arkansas: Legal with NSF approval.
  • California: Legal with a permit. Outhouses are illegal throughout most of the state.
  • Colorado: Only NSF-approved compost toilets are allowed for less than 7 days.
  • Connecticut: Legal with the local department of health. Waste from compost toilets must be buried.
  • Delaware: All outhouses are illegal
  • Florida: Legal with NSF approval.
  • Georgia: Only NSF-approved compost toilets are allowed. Waste from compost toilets must be buried.
  • Hawaii: Outhouses are illegal
  • Idaho: Pit privies are legal
  • Illinois: Only NSF-approved compost toilets are allowed.
  • Indiana: Extremely restrictive, only allowed if no sanitary sewer is available.
  • Iowa: Permits may be needed for “alternative toilets.”
  • Kansas: Pit privies are illegal, but vault-type outhouses are allowed
  • Kentucky: Outhouses are illegal, but still found in many parts of the state
  • Louisiana: No regulations.
  • Maine: Permit is required
  • Maryland: Only allowed in dwellings without water under pressure
  • Massachusetts: Generally illegal
  • Michigan: Each county sets its own law. Certain modifications may apply.
  • Minnesota: Legal with few regulations.
  • Mississippi: Legal with local or state approval. They must be used only in remote areas of the state and require a permit.
  • Missouri: Extremely restrictive, only allowed if no sanitary sewer is available.
  • Montana: Legal
  • Nebraska: Legal with a permit and inspection.
  • Nevada: There are regulations about when waste disposal systems can be used. Permits are also required.
  • New Hampshire: Outhouses are legal
  • New Jersey: Illegal, but may be allowed under certain circumstances
  • New Mexico: Legal with a permit.
  • New York: Legal with few regulations. Water from sinks and showers is required to be connected to the public sewage system for treatment.
  • North Carolina: Outhouses are legal
  • North Dakota: Legal with few regulations and requiring a permit.
  • Ohio: Illegal, with few exceptions
  • Oklahoma: Permit is required
  • Oregon: Legal with a permit and possible inspection. Certain modifications may apply.
  • Pennsylvania: Legal with NSF approval. Connection to the municipal sewage system is usually required.
  • Rhode Island: Illegal
  • South Carolina: Legal, but only when used with a septic system.
  • South Dakota: Illegal
  • Tennessee: Illegal, but may be used if no running water is available to the dwelling
  • Texas: Legal with NSF approval. No permit is required for single-family usage in counties with less than 40,000 people.
  • Utah: Legal, but only able to be built and used in certain areas
  • Vermont: Legal with few regulations and a permit.
  • Virginia: Outhouses are legal
  • Washington: Illegal in most areas of the state
  • West Virginia: Outhouses are legal
  • Wisconsin: Legal, with relaxed regulations.
  • Wyoming: Outhouses will require a permit if self-contained

Outhouses Legality by State [Updated March 2023]

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Outhouses Legality by State [Updated March 2023]

Sources