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