Originally published in Lake of the Woods Area News, Volume 55, Number 4, Fall 2025
In the heart of cottage country, where the loons call and the pines whisper, stands the much underappreciated and often feared outhouse. Many people think unfavourably of the outhouse, mostly because they imagine a smelly, slanted, creature-infested shack. But with a little care and a touch of creativity, the outhouse can be transformed into a safe, functional and charming throne.
Why bother?
Many folks keep an outhouse as a backup for when the plumbing goes on strike, to ease the strain on a septic system, or when too many guests descend and the bathroom queue starts to resemble a Costco checkout lineup. So, why not make that trip to the loo a little less traumatic?
Blend sustainability and functionality with creativity
Try using reclaimed materials to keep down the cost of construction, and do your part to reuse and recycle. A neighbour’s outgrown playhouse served as a perfect structure for my outhouse. It came constructed with cute shuttered windows on all four sides, helping ensure charm and good ventilation.
People affectionately call their outhouse by many names, including the privy, biffy, honey-pot, backhouse or the loo. What do you call your outhouse?
Make it a guest favourite
If you make your outhouse appealing, guests will be much more likely to use it—which means fewer bathroom emergencies and less stress on your cottage’s main system. Here’s what worked for us:
Odour control: A generous vent pipe runs from the pit, out the back, and up past the roof. We painted it black and added a whirlybird on top. The result? Sun and wind powered convection that whisks away smells like magic—especially during the heat of the day.
Handwashing station: We reused an old bathroom vanity and sink fed by a large water barrel that is elevated on a stand. Gravity does the rest. A flexible drain hose disperses sink drain water into a treed area out back. A splash of bleach in the tank keeps the water fresh.
Lighting the way: Nobody enjoys wandering into the woods at night only to be greeted by mysterious rustling. So, we wired up the outhouse with electricity, added a motion-sensor light outside, and we plan to swap the bare ceiling bulb with a shabby-chic chandelier. Because ….why not?
Maintenance with dignity: Rather than rally reluctant family members for a dig party every few years, we get the outhouse professionally pumped. It’s a good environmental option, quicker, and might save some relationships.
Cold comforts: Using an outhouse at -40°C can be brutal. A helpful survival tip is to cut a custom seat cover from styrofoam. It’ll save your behind—literally.
On that note… A little entertainment never hurts
Want to turn your outhouse into a conversation piece that will lure them back? Stock it with joke books, quirky signs, or games like “Guess how old this tree slice is.” Our neighbours went full museum-mode with ancestral photos and an antique telephone—to make you feel falsely secure that you can call for help should you hear scratching on the outside of the privy.
Try treading a little more wisely by constructing your new environmentally sustainable sewage system using reclaimed materials and adding a sprinkle of whimsy. Despite popular belief, outhouses can be a charming and safe sewage management system.
Outhouse Regulations in Ontario:
While regulated through the Ontario Building Code (OBC), a building permit isn’t typically required for an outhouse. However, these Class 1 sewage systems must be built to the standards outlined in section 8.3 of Division B of the OBC. These standards include minimum distances from groundwater and surface water sources, as well as minimum distances from property lines. buildingcode.online/1158.html.
