Legal Ramifications of Alternative Sewage System?

What can the powers that be do to you if they find out you are using a dry outhouse or some other alternative that is not "permitted"? Thanks for any insights.

Sit you in the naughty chair and give you a fine?

In rural areas, if you are discreet and don't stink up the neighbourhood, I doubt they would go looking for it. They would only act on a complaint (from cranky people next door looking to get at you).

I think urban authorities would be much more aggressive due to the concentration of people. Other active enforcement locations would be adjacent to lakes/rivers, very high water tables, very shallow soil or high flooding hazards.

If you have a permanent dwelling, you could be ordered to install an approved septic system -- a spendy prospect.

Well, that depends on where you are and how motivated people are to get you. Vague enough answer for you? The norm is fines. Fines fines fines.  Then they'll force you up to code. And if you don't pay the fines you could face the possibility of jail.

I do have a fully compliant sewage system complete with drainage field. But, I find it fascinating that a few years ago our water department sent out a survey form asking what kind of sewage system was in place.  It is amazing the number of people who reported themselves.

I imagine it depends on how many bylaws you're breaking and how much they want to teach you a lesson. You could be breaking building bylaws (plumbing, house not to code, etc) and/or health & environment bylaws (illegal toxic waste disposal, etc).

I know it's a pain, but I would advocate for learning what is required to conform in your jurisdiction, and if it's not possible to continue legally, perhaps challenge unreasonable bylaws that prevent you from taking the high road. I've started the process in my city and it's taking a very long time for even my initial questions to get answered (but I haven't gone the call/inperson route yet).

In our area, southern colorado, the worst seems to be a fine, with the possibility that they could "shut you down" in some form or fashion ... my guess is a "cease and desist" from the city/county/health authority's lawyer.

We planned for this by putting in a septic system in a DIY install ... permitted, inspected, and then never really used for poo/greywater. Those head off to separate humanure and greywater systems. But, the septic system is there, both in case someone complains and in case we have to fall back to it one day. We saved about half of the cost, as we did the labor ourselves ... only had to buy parts/materials, and pay someone to mini-excavate. We also will save on future pumping costs, as there shouldn't ever be anything to pump.

We have 40 acres around us, but I'll bet there are ways to do humanure/greywater in stealth mode, and accomplish the same thing in a more "nosy neighbor" environment.

Of course, if we ever get such a "no poo" order from the authorities, selling it on ebay might cover the fine ...

This is an interesting topic for me. We use a composting toilet so the only wastewater we have is from the sink and shower. As such, the septic system was put in many years ago and pretty much never used until now and typically handles 30 gallons of greywater waste per month.

Michigan health code allows for "alternative" waste treatment, specifically composting toilets. Our county goes by the state regulations which apparently don't need consent to use the system. Michigan is one of the friendliest states for off grid people.

not only fines are possible but if your forced to do reclamation where the guys in the white lab suits have to show up---lets just say not only would it be costly- there could be unforeseen fallout. your best to be sure of codes and regulations and be within. the guidelines to avoid problems.
which makes me wonder about outhouses being grandfathered in in areas where the rules have changed. and where outhouses are legal

May I refer you to this book Paul.   https://humanurehandbook.com/contents.html.   I believe it will answer all your questions and those of others on this forum and then some.  I read it online just the other day.  It covers everything - the full scoop on the poop!!

Denise Cares wrote:May I refer you to this book Paul.   https://humanurehandbook.com/contents.html.   I believe it will answer all your questions and those of others on this forum and then some.  I read it online just the other day.  It covers everything - the full scoop on the poop!!

I'm not seeing anything in the book on legalities/codes/government, etc.

Hi Paul. I sense your frustration.

The fact is that the rules, and how vigorously and wisely they are enforced, are a function that operates at the local level of government. It's impossible to give you an easy answer from far away.

On the one hand, a reasonable law-abiding citizen wants to comply with the law, trusting that there may be good reasons for the rules that may not be obviously apparent.

On the other hand, if the rules are lazy or ill-conceived, one might be cautious about sticking one's head up above the trenches and drawing fire.

Anyhow, stay cool and be smart. If you are extremely careful and ethical to ensure you are not possibly contaminating the local watershed or the groundwater, then IMO you are doing no harm. But the onus, and moral responsibility, rests upon you.

My 2c.