Do You Need Town Permission for a Composting Toilet?

Carlyn:

Do you need any kind of particular permit to build this?

Jonathan:

Well, permits depends on your particular state and town in Massachusetts. Some states, it’s just a state issue and whether they allow them or don’t, they have that regulation. In Massachusetts everything is very much determined by the town, but as I understand it the state law enables the town to regulate these things. Our town has a bylaw that is permitting of these things. I have a feeling it may not be the majority of towns in Massachusetts but I wouldn’t let that discourage me totally. It seems to me that you can go to your board of health and if you have a good plan and a persuasive argument then they know that it’s smart sometimes to do things in an alternative way, and they could very well be willing to make it legal for you. That’s how laws get changed.

Carlyn:

If enough people start asking?

Jonathan:

Most people will explore a person with a good enough argument. I just never let unreasonable building regulations totally stop me without some effort to reason with people.