Mich. Comp. Laws § § 125.492
Privy vaults, school-sinks and water closets.
Operative Text
Sec. 92. Privy vaults, school-sinks and water-closets. Whenever a connection with a sewer is possible, all privy vaults, school-sinks, cesspools or other receptacles used to receive fecal matter, urine or sewage, shall with their contents, be completely removed and the place where they were located properly disinfected under the direction of the health officer. Such appliances shall be replaced by individual water-closets of durable non-absorbent material, properly sewer-connected, and with individual traps and properly connected flush tanks providing an ample flush of water to thoroughly cleanse the bowl. Each such water-closet shall be located inside the dwelling or other building in connection with which it is to be used in a compartment completely separated from every other water-closet, and such compartment shall contain a window of not less than 4 square feet in area opening directly to the street, or rear yard or on a side yard or court of the minimum sizes prescribed in sections 13 and 14 of this act. The floors of the water-closet compartments shall be as provided in section 35 of this act. Such water-closets shall be provided in such numbers as required by section 67 of this act. Such water-closets and all plumbing in connection therewith shall be sanitary in every respect and, except as in this act otherwise provided, shall be in accordance with the local ordinances and regulations in relation to plumbing and drainage. Pan plunger, frostproof and long hopper closets will not be permitted except upon written permit of the health officer, or such other appropriate public official as the mayor may designate. No water-closet shall be placed out of doors.
Michigan law under MCL § 125.492 requires that wherever a sewer connection is available, older waste-disposal systems such as privy vaults and cesspools must be fully removed, disinfected, and replaced with indoor, sewer-connected water closets made of durable, non-absorbent material. Each toilet must be housed in its own enclosed compartment inside the building, with a window of at least 4 square feet opening to the outside, and no toilet may be placed outdoors. Certain older-style closet designs are prohibited unless a written permit is obtained from the health officer or another designated public official.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under MCL § 125.492 are generally expected to ensure that any building with sewer access has fully eliminated legacy waste systems and replaced them with code-compliant indoor water closets. Compliant operators typically verify that each toilet is housed in a separately enclosed interior compartment with adequate ventilation via a qualifying window, that all plumbing meets local ordinances, and that the required number of fixtures matches what sections 67 and 35 of the act prescribe. Older closet types such as pan, plunger, frostproof, or long hopper closets require a written permit from the health officer before installation or continued use.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Michigan dwellings covered by MCL § 125.492 have an interest in knowing that the law requires indoor, sewer-connected toilets in properly ventilated, enclosed compartments whenever a sewer connection is available. If a rental unit still relies on an outdoor privy, cesspool, or other prohibited waste receptacle, that condition may constitute a violation of this provision. Tenants who believe their housing does not meet these standards may consider contacting their local health department, a tenant-rights organization, or reviewing available complaint processes to understand their options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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