Options for a bathroom in a barn?

[oosik]

Incinerating toilet or brand new septic system - both are expensive. I would not add this load to your house septic system. The house system was never designed for this added load and could cause expensive problems down the road.

So its - a fancy outhouse - an incinerating toilet and run a line for sink wastes out to the bushes - a new septic system - tie into your house septic system.

I can almost guarantee - if you need a permit to build this new barn & it includes a bathroom - you will be required to come up with a disposal system that meets local codes.

And - what are your plans for providing potable water.

 

[drssg]

Most inspectors will allow a tank only with a float alarm that you have pumped when its full. No need for a leach field.

That is what was suggested to us. If it’s only used occasionally, you might be able to pump it out on the same schedule as the regular septic tanks.

 

[teejk]

don't worry about permit until you have to.
It is easier to ask forgiveness... !

Not when it comes to septics (at least around here). I'd guess lack of permit might result in you have to tear out whatever you did as a penalty for not asking. Every state is different. I'd check on-line to see what is permissible. A large holding tank (permissible as a "last resort" in Wisconsin) might be all you need. Expensive in the long run if it will need pumping frequently but certainly cheaper that a modern septic system. Shoot...if your gatherings are infrequent, I might consider porta-potties!

 

[polo1665]

If it is a new building are you not going to have to pull a permit? If so and you build out the bathroom at that time they are going to want it to code. We can only add structures under 200 sq ft here without a permit and then only if there is no plumbing.

Not every county in every state requires a building permit for a new building. I recently put up a 24' X 40' garage on my land in Carroll County Ohio, no permit or inspections required (for building, electric or plumbing). If I wanted a septic system for that garage, a permit and inspection would be required.

 

[oosik]

To expound upon this. Many counties do not require a building permit if the structure being built is not a habitable structure.

Garage, pole barn, storage shed - etc.

 

[3Ts]

To expound upon this. Many counties do not require a building permit if the structure being built is not a habitable structure.

Garage, pole barn, storage shed - etc.

Some counties don't require any building permit at all, for anything, even houses. And, you don't have to tell them you're building, but they will find out eventually and add it to the tax bill.

 

[polo1665]

To expound upon this. Many counties do not require a building permit if the structure being built is not a habitable structure.

Garage, pole barn, storage shed - etc.

Sort of.....we are required to have a septic permit from the health department before any new home construction begins. A well permit must also be issued.

No building permit required.

 

[4570Man]

Run one drain line from your sink out into some bushes that could use the water. Then build a small septic system for the toilet. While not legal anymore, using a plastic 40 gallon drum as a tank has worked for decades for a lot of people with a simple drain field of perforated pipe and gravel. For the amount of usage a barn toilet will get, this should work just fine.

That’s exactly what I would do. Do it last thing to keep the inspectors off the case.

 

[4570Man]

Ive seen houses at the end of subdivisions that were past the city sewer by at least 200 feet run a pump from their tank to the nearest manhole.
Most inspectors will allow a tank only with a float alarm that you have pumped when its full. No need for a leach field.

Why would you do something like that? A 1000 gallon tank is just a tad less than $1000. By the time you’ve got the float alarm you’ve easily spent $1000. The tank is the most expensive part adding 100 foot of fill line wouldn’t cost over a few hundred. In my area it’s around 250 foot of leech field for a 3 bedroom house but considerably less would work for a barn. Or you could do a first class half way job for $1000.

 

[Molalla1]

Why would you do something like that? A 1000 gallon tank is just a tad less than $1000. By the time you’ve got the float alarm you’ve easily spent $1000. The tank is the most expensive part adding 100 foot of fill line wouldn’t cost over a few hundred. In my area it’s around 250 foot of leech field for a 3 bedroom house but considerably less would work for a barn. Or you could do a first class half way job for $1000.

Eddie has it right . . . with a small use bathroom . . . don't make it complicated.