By law, you can hand-carry it back out and distribute it on the ground, but if you put it into a pipe, you need a treatment system.
https://www.pumper.com/editorial/2015/09/new_shoestring_treatment_systems_in_minnesota
That's for Graywater... and that's for the state of Minnesota....I have blogged on this before - "the primitive void" is what it's literally called in the state pollution control agency records.
The new ordinance allows “year-round composting toilets.”
This is quite amazing and that new ordinance even won some nonprofit innovation award!!
these primitive dwellings...very small rustic homes without electricity or running water. Some are called yurts, which are becoming popular with “off-the-grid” residents..... used as year-round homes by some because they are so cheap; ...they don’t need a land use permit
Wow now that's some real zingers! But that's only in that "one" county in northern Minnesota...Yet still in other counties up north "primitive dwellings" are "permitted" - which is basically saying they are "approved" because if smaller than 150 square feet and if there's no "pipes" for plumbing - no drain pipes at all and no electricity then no permit is required!
but if you put it into a pipe, you need a treatment system.
Now that includes the composting toilet and the graywater! How so? Check this out:
Primitive Dwelling: Any building, which may include but not be limited to, hunting cabins, shacks, renovated vehicles, huts, shelters, yurts, dependent RV’s or other enclosed structures with provisions for living, sleeping and sanitary facilities that do not include devices such as wells or pumps involved with the appropriation and delivery of surface or ground water to the dwelling, or any other means of providing any pressurized water flow within the dwelling.https://cms7files1.revize.com/cookcountymn/Ordinances/SSTS%20Ord%20As%20Amended%203.22.22.pdf
Composting Systems: Composting toilets serve to prevent exposure to human excrement and to store it in aesthetically acceptable conditions until it can be safely removed for disposal or reuse. Two primary factors affecting the survival of human pathogens in composting toilets are temperature and time. Liquid or solid compost material must have a sufficient long residency time to be considered suitably stabilized. To ensure vector attraction reduction, the residuals must be buried or covered so that nothing remains exposed to the surface.
Now I even called the state pollution control agency to talk to a sewage specialist! I asked them if composting toilets needed a permit and they answered with a question: Is there "discharge" and I said, 'No" and they said, "no permit is needed then."
And there you have it - in the county zoning ordinance! My guess is this younger worker was hip to the NEW composting toilet ordinance that won an award!! (video) - ok well the award was not for "composting toilets" specifically. hahaha.
https://elixirfield.blogspot.com/2020/11/primitive-dwellings-versus-camp-units.html
Wow three years ago already...
Dwelling, Primitive – a dwelling that is not served by a well or other device involved inSo that's a different northern Minnesota county zoning ordinance....listed as the last of their "dwelling classifications" but it appears to be the same as the Dwelling.... nope!
the appropriation of surface or ground water to provide a continuous supply of water to
the dwelling. Primitive dwellings may be served by hand carried water only.
Class IV Class IV dwellings are dwellings designed under part 7080.2240 [individual sewage treatment system codes]
Type IV System: An ISTS, having an approved pretreatment device and incorporating pressure distribution and dosing, that is capable of providing suitable treatment for use where the separation distance to a shallow saturated zone is less than the minimum allowed
3 feet from the seasonally saturated soils (water table)
Wow that's it and you get an official "residential dwelling" status even though it's a "primitive dwelling"? I don't think so - this is just for a "seasonal" dwelling I think - it's not in "Cook County"! So I emailed the state expert on this issue! She wrote this article.
For a dwelling classified as a primitive dwelling. The property owner mustAlso Cook County environmental manager says they will send you the list of their "public domain" approved primitive dwelling systems - and so I emailed them to ask for that also!
sign a form provided by the Planning & Zoning Department certifying that the
dwelling meets all the requirements for classification of a primitive dwelling, that
the sewage will be properly maintained and that if at some time the dwelling is to
no longer meet the definition of a primitive dwelling, a complete drainfield will
be installed prior to the change.
http://elixirfield.blogspot.com/2019/11/how-to-not-live-off-land-legally-while.html
For purposes of section 3111, a temporary overnight shelter shall be defined as any building, facility, or space therein designed and used primarily as a church or house of worship for religious services or instruction or related activities which is owned or operated by a religious organization and qualified for exemption under 26 U.S.C. section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The primary use of the building, facility, or space therein is for religious services or instruction but may, on occasion, provide temporary overnight accommodation to a limited number of individuals for a limited period of time as provided for.
Vacant residential structure means any house or other inhabitable structure which is continuously vacant for more than 30 days.
So.... You can have a primitive structure that is primarily used for farming agriculture but is a "temporary overnight accommodation "on occasion" - meaning less than 14 days or 21 days a year. Definitely less than one month at a time and not used on a regular basis.
“Dwelling”, any building, inhabitable structure, or conveyance of any kind, whether the building, inhabitable structure, or conveyance is temporary or permanent, mobile or immobile, which has a roof over it, including a tent, and is designed to be occupied by people lodging therein at night;
Limited use wastewater systems are not permitted on properties that are
used or could potentially be used for full-time occupancy, when water is provided by a well or public water supply, except in cases where a full OWTS is not feasible or prohibited...
https://elixirfield.blogspot.com/2019/06/void-in-rule-of-primitive-dwelling-site.html
https://psatstwp2.org/elk/jones/recreational-cabins/
Under state law, a “Recreational Cabin” is defined as a structure that is:
Utilized principally for recreational activity ONLY
- NOT utilized as a residence for any period of time
- NOT utilized for any commercial purposes, including rental units
- NOT greater than two stories in height
- NOT utilized by the owner, or any other person, as a place of employment
- NOT a mailing address for bill or other correspondence
- NOT listed as an individual’s place of residence on a drivers license, tax record, car registration, passport, or voter registration.
So what about a Bunkhouse?
BUNKHOUSE. Residential accessory structure used for sleeping quarters with no sanitation, cooking facilities or water under pressure.
So if you have a Garage you are allowed an "accessory structure" TO the garage. So you have a primitive "bunkhouse" for a farm residential structure....as long as it's not a public lodging facility then it should not require a license....
Have you received a Lodging License from the Minnesota Department of Health for this Short Term Rental?
So as long as you're not applying for a "short term rental performance standard permit."
Hazelnut Tree Nursery would qualify as "intensive agriculture" less than 10 acres - and then the bunkhouse as the residential accessory structure to the garage....
https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/43847/46432_eib123.pdf?v=0
contiguous acreage that contains a residence and is less than 11 acres in size, if the contiguous acreage exclusive of the [bunk]house, garage, and surrounding one acre of land was used in the preceding year for ...the following
(iii) for intensive market farming; for purposes of this paragraph, "market farming" means the cultivation of one or more fruits or vegetables or production of animal or other agricultural products for sale to local markets by the farmer or an organization with which the farmer is affiliated.
Real estate of less than 10 acres used principally for raising poultry, livestock, fruit,
vegetables or other agricultural products, shall be considered as agricultural land, if
it is not used primarily for residential purposes.”
Since 1967, both the definitions of agricultural lands (under M.S. 273.13) and the provisions of
Green Acres (under M.S. 273.111) have changed multiple times. Green Acres no longer
requires “exclusive” agricultural use, but “primary” agricultural use. There is no longer an
income requirement for Green Acres. The agricultural classification does not require a
“primary” use under current law, and the restriction that property not be “used primarily for
residential purposes” has since been removed
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/273.13
https://elixirfield.blogspot.com/2022/08/the-farm-structure-composting-toilet.htm
Unoccupied Entity-Owned Agricultural PropertyThe active farmer of the land must: Be a Minnesota resident. Be a member of both the owning and operating entity if they are different. Live within four townships or cities of the agricultural land.
Ah fascinating!! So there's the loophole... OK I give up. I'm glad they enforce this - I'm all for it! Farmers should technically "live" or have a "permanent residence" nearby their land!
So a bunkhouse as accessory structure can NOT be a farm "work" house - unless the farmer has a Permanent homestead nearby. Fascinating...
90 days is temporary or seasonal. Less than consecutive 30 days is "short-term occupancy" (no permit needed for camping).
Inhabited dwelling means a structure or part of a structure used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by a person maintaining a household ... but does not include outbuildings, yard areas, or other land associated with the structure.
A primitive dwelling(structure) requires a land use permit(building permit) and a year round composting toilet requires a septic permit. Thanks,
Wow Cook County got back to me!! The Environmental Health Officer....
A septic permit is required for all types of septic solutions; used whenever a property is inhabited
"Inhabited structure" and "inhabited property" do not include the real property on which an inhabited structure or an inhabited property is located.
"A septic permit is required for all types of septic solutions; used whenever a property is inhabited"
Wow - amazing that one county in Minnesota actually allows this! very awesome.
If it is vacant land then it doesn't need an address. The government needs an address if they have business on that property, like for utilities or to inspect the building.
If the septic system is building property, the performance of a "discrete and critical function in the operation of the building" by the septic system, under the 263(a) regs, would make it a capitalizable major component.
agricultural activity as a primary use may be permitted
by right...Principal Use or Structure - A structure or use that is the primary or predominant focus of
activity on a parcel.
Permitted:
other primitive
Tiny Houses will get help from a new state law next year requiring municipalities to approve such "sacred communities" that meet a list of rules.
also use in-home compostable toilets consisting of a container with absorbent material.
the toilets are akin to those at campgrounds, and the organization is working with an engineer on an improved model.
houses sit on trailers... under 200 to 400 square feet, they contain a lofted bed, counter, small table and closet with a commode. Site grading, electrical wiring and renovations to church common areas adds $25,000 to each home's cost....volunteers live in tiny homes on-site, too, to offer support and friendship.
33% to 40% of homes must be occupied by volunteers, for instance. It lays out specifications for building materials, electrical systems, setbacks and inspections. The homes must have a permanent chassis and be anchored to a foundation. Homes can have plumbed, dry or compostable toilets.
sacred settlements
https://www.lmc.org/news-publications/news/all/sacred-settlement-micro-units/
Sec. 42.
[327.30] SACRED COMMUNITIES AND MICRO-UNIT DWELLINGS.
Subdivision 1.
Definitions.
(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
(b) "Chronically homeless" has the meaning given in United States Code, title 42, section
11360, as amended through May 20, 2009.
(c) "Designated volunteers" means persons who have not experienced homelessness and
have been approved by the religious institution to live in a sacred community as their sole
form of housing.
(d) "Extremely low income" means an income that is equal to or less than 30 percent of
the area median income, adjusted for family size, as estimated by the Department of Housing
and Urban Development.
(e) "Micro unit" means a mobile residential dwelling providing permanent housing
within a sacred community that meets the requirements of subdivision 4.
(f) "Religious institution" means a church, synagogue, mosque, or other religious
organization organized under chapter 315.
(g) "Sacred community" means a residential settlement established on or contiguous to
the grounds of a religious institution's primary worship location primarily for the purpose
of providing permanent housing for chronically homeless persons, extremely low-income
persons, and designated volunteers that meets the requirements of subdivision 3.
Subd. 2.
Dwelling in micro units in sacred communities authorized.
Religious
institutions are authorized to provide permanent housing to people who are chronically
homeless, extremely low-income, or designated volunteers, in sacred communities composed
of micro units subject to the provisions of this section.
Subd. 3.
Sacred community requirements.
(a) A sacred community must provide
residents of micro units access to water and electric utilities either by connecting the micro
units to the utilities that are serving the principal building on the lot or by other comparable
means, or by providing the residents access to permanent common kitchen facilities and
common facilities for toilet, bathing, and laundry with the number and type of fixtures
required for an R-2 boarding house under Minnesota Rules, part 1305.2902. Any units that
are plumbed shall not be included in determining the minimum number of fixtures required
for the common facilities.
(b) A sacred community under this section must:
(1) be appropriately insured;
(2) have between one-third and 40 percent of the micro units occupied by designated
volunteers; and
(3) provide the municipality with a written plan approved by the religious institution's
governing board that outlines:
(i) disposal of water and sewage from micro units if not plumbed;
(ii) septic tank drainage if plumbed units are not hooked up to the primary worship
location's system;
(iii) adequate parking, lighting, and access to units by emergency vehicles;
(iv) protocols for security and addressing conduct within the settlement; and
(v) safety protocols for severe weather.
(c) A sacred community meeting the requirements of this section shall be approved and
regulated as a permitted use, conditional use, or planned unit development, as determined
by the municipality. When approved, additional permitting is not required for individual
micro units.
(d) Sacred communities are subject to the laws governing landlords and tenants under
chapter 504B.
Subd. 4.
Micro unit requirements.
(a) In order to be eligible to be placed within a
sacred community, a micro unit must be built to the requirements of the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) Code 119.5, which includes standards for heating, electrical
systems, and fire and life safety. A micro unit must also meet the following technical
requirements:
(1) be no more than 400 gross square feet;
(2) be built on a permanent chassis and anchored to pin foundations with engineered
fasteners;
(3) have exterior materials that are compatible in composition, appearance, and durability
to the exterior materials used in standard residential construction;
(4) have a minimum insulation rating of R-20 in walls, R-30 in floors, and R-38 in
ceilings, as well as residential grade insulated doors and windows;
(5) have a dry, compostable, or plumbed toilet or other system meeting the requirements
of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Chapters 7035, 7040, 7049, and 7080, or other
applicable rules;
(6) have either an electrical system that meets NFPA 70 NEC, section 551 or 552 as
applicable or a low voltage electrical system that meets ANSI/RVIA Low Voltage Standard,
current edition;
(7) have minimum wall framing with two inch by four inch wood or metal studs with
framing of 16 inches to 24 inches on center, or the equivalent in structural insulated panels,
with a floor load of 40 pounds per square foot and a roof live load of 42 pounds per square
foot; and
(8) have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed.
(b) All micro units, including their anchoring, must be inspected and certified for
compliance with these requirements by a licensed Minnesota professional engineer or
qualified third-party inspector for ANSI compliance accredited pursuant to either the
American Society for Testing and Materials Appendix E541 or ISO/IEC 17020.
(c) Micro units that connect to utilities such as water, sewer, gas, or electric, must obtain
any permits or inspections required by the municipality or utility company for that connection.
(d) Micro units must comply with municipal setback requirements established by
ordinance for manufactured homes. If a municipality does not have such an ordinance, micro
units must be set back on all sides by at least ten feet.
EFFECTIVE DATE.
This section is effective January 1, 2024.
"Occupied structure" means an enclosed structure where one or more human beings may be
present, but does not include structures that are open to natural free air circulation such that the
explosive gas hazard is minimized
There is a difference between a compost toilet and a so-called "composting" toilet. A composting toilet doesn't exist. They should be called dry toilets, and the material collected in them is considered septage and should be "disposed" of as such. They are regulated. A compost toilet, on the other hand, is a toilet that collects toilet material so that it can be composted. Nothing happens inside the toilet other than collection. The collected material is composted in a separate outdoor bin. This is typically not regulated. I have never seen it regulated nor ever hear of backyard composting being regulated. So compost away!
Joe Jenkins quote....
Riosolids are dried on sand beds or on paved or unpaved basins. The
biosolids dry for a minimum of 3 months. During 2 of the 3 months, the
ambient average daily temperature is above 0°C
Occupied structure means an enclosed structure where one or more human beings may be present, but does not include structures that are open to natural free air circulation such that the explosive gas hazard is minimized.
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