An outhouse my exist as a grandfathered use. If you want to borrow money to build or buy, the bank wants to see indoor plumbing and approved septic.
I'm not a chemist or nutritionist, but I'd guess there is some difference in the "filtration" process for solids that decompose and break down as opposed to whatever non-biodegradable compound your tenants use in the shower. As I recall from the old days, proper maintenance of an outhouse includes periodic addition of limestone powder, and digging a new hole and moving the structure while there is adequate depth to cover the contents safely. Note that a toilet uses a lot of water and thus flows through the soil more quickly carrying "nutrients" to the down gradient lake. Not much liquid goes into an outhouse. Not even rainwater. I think 2-3 holers exist to distribute the fill under the outhouse, not so that three people can sit together and discuss the latest Sear catalog.
More than you wanted to know, huh?
The original question also had to do with the shower being 40 feet from shore. Presumably a back house or out house would be behind the main building and thus much further back from shore. A "certificate of occupancy" would require indoor plumbing. In Gilford, I think you can still live in a tent and have an outhouse, but only for one year while the approved residence is under construction. No camper trailers either. The town fathers want you to build something taxable.
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