Outhouses or Pit Privy as they are called here are still allowed here in NC. We just screw an old phone book to the wall.
15A NCAC 18A .1959 PRIVY CONSTRUCTION
An "approved privy" shall consist of a pit, floor slab, and seat assembly housed in a building which affords privacy and reasonable protection from the weather.
(1) The pit shall consist of an excavation at least 42 inches square and in no case shall the bottom of an excavation be closer than one foot from the seasonally high water table or rock.
(2) The pit shall be properly curbed to prevent caving. In sandy or loose soil, the curb should extend the full depth of the pit. In tight soils, partial curbing is acceptable if it prevents caving.
(3) The privy floor slab shall be constructed of reinforced concrete. Where it is impractical to secure or construct reinforced concrete floor assemblies, wood construction shall be acceptable provided the floor slab is made of rough sub-flooring and covered with tight tongue-and-groove flooring or other type flooring materials to provide strength and prevent entrance of flies and mosquitoes to the privy pit. Where wood construction is used, floors shall be anchored to at least four-inch by four-inch sills.
(4) Wood used for riser, seat assemblies, and the floor slab shall be tongue-and-groove or plywood (exterior or marine) material.
(5) Privies shall not be used for the disposal of water-carried sewage.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-335(e);
Eff. July 1, 1982;
Amended Eff. December 1, 1990.
15A NCAC 18A .1960 MAINTENANCE OF PRIVIES
(a) Any person owning or controlling the property upon which a privy is located shall be responsible for these requirements:
(1) The privy building shall afford a reasonable degree of protection from bad weather conditions.
(2) When the pit becomes filled to within 18 inches of the top of the ground, the privy building shall be moved to a new pit and the old pit completely covered with earth.
(3) If the pit caves in, a new pit shall be provided.
(b) The tenant or person occupying the property shall be responsible for these requirements:
(1) The walls, floors, and seat of the privy and grounds immediately adjacent to the building shall be kept in a clean and decent condition.
(2) Fowl and other animals shall not be harbored in the privy building.
(3) Seat cover shall be hinged and closed at all times when the privy is not in use.
(4) Flies shall be excluded from the pit at all times.
(5) Ashes, garbage, and trash shall be kept out of the pit.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-335(e) and (f);
Eff. July 1, 1982;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1990.