Section R. 325.422 - Minimum standards for earth-pit outhousesRule 2.
(1) The pit should be located 100 feet or more from any well or other source of water supply and upon ground sloping away from the water supply, and should never be located less than 50 feet therefrom, unless upon special approval of the commissioner of the Michigan department of health; provided, however, that no pit shall be located within 200 feet of any source of groundwater used for a municipal water supply. No pit shall be located less than 2 feet from any lot or alley line or less than 25 feet from any lake or stream. In areas underlaid by limestone, or where fissured rock formations are common, or whenever groundwater is encountered in the construction of the pit, approval of the construction and location of the pit based upon special investigation of the conditions must be obtained from the commissioner of the Michigan department of health.(2) The pit shall have a capacity of not less than 50 cubic feet per seat and be not less than 4 1/2 feet or more than 6 feet deep, measured from the original ground surface. Where rock formations or groundwater are encountered at shallower depths, a mound may be constructed to permit a pit of sufficient depth.(3) Sills shall be provided to form the support for the outhouse building. Pit curbings shall extend to the full depth of the pit unless in rock formation, in which case the lower section of the curbing may be omitted. The curbing should not support the building or the sills.(4) Pit mounds shall be of well-tamped earth installed in thin layers, shall extend outward on the level for a distance of not less than 18 inches in all directions from the sills, and thence outward to meet the surrounding ground surface with a slope not greater than 1 vertical to 3 horizontal. Mounds should be covered with sod or otherwise protected against erosion.(5) The floor and seat riser shall be built of impervious material or tongue and groove lumber, and in a manner to exclude insects. The seat riser shall be so constructed and bonded with the floor as to prevent seepage through the riser onto the floor.(6) The seat opening shall be covered with a hinged lid.(7) The pit should be ventilated from the riser to a point outside the building by a flue or vent having a cross-sectional area of not less than 12 square inches. The joints shall be tight and the opening screened with 16 mesh screening, preferably of copper.Mich. Admin. Code R. 325.422
1944 AC; 1944 ACS 7; 1954 AC; 1979 AC