How to Build an Outdoor Shower

Build an outdoor shower by installing plumbing lines to your chosen location, creating a foundation with proper drainage, framing the enclosure, and adding privacy screens and fixtures.

  1. Scout the Perfect Spot First. Select a spot that's close enough to existing plumbing for reasonable connection costs, has good drainage, and gets adequate privacy. Check local building codes for setback requirements and permits. Most areas require outdoor showers to be at least 5 feet from property lines and may have restrictions on gray water discharge.
  2. Map Water Line Routes. Locate the nearest hot and cold water lines inside your house. Plan the most direct route to your shower location, whether through a basement, crawl space, or underground. Mark utility lines before any digging. You'll typically need 3/4-inch supply lines for adequate water pressure at the outdoor fixture.
  3. Connect Water Lines Underground. Run hot and cold water lines from your main supply to the shower location. For underground runs, use PEX tubing in protective conduit buried at least 18 inches deep. Install a shutoff valve near the house connection and another at the shower end. In freezing climates, install drain valves at low points to prevent pipe damage.
  4. Pour Sloped Base Now. Build a foundation that slopes away from the house for drainage. Options include a concrete pad with a slight grade, a raised wooden deck with gaps for drainage, or a gravel bed with stepping stones. The base should be at least 4x4 feet and slope 1/4 inch per foot away from any structures.
  5. Prevent Water From Pooling. Even simple outdoor showers need proper drainage to prevent standing water and mosquito breeding. Dig a dry well filled with gravel beneath the shower area, or connect to your existing drainage system if local codes allow. For eco-friendly options, create a planted drainage area that filters gray water naturally.
  6. Raise Your Frame Structure. Construct a simple frame using pressure-treated lumber or cedar posts. A basic three-sided enclosure needs two 8-foot posts for the back corners and one for the front corner, connected with horizontal supports. Anchor posts in concrete footings at least 2 feet deep, or bolt to your concrete pad.
  7. Screen for Privacy and Airflow. Install privacy panels using cedar slats, bamboo screening, or outdoor fabric stretched between posts. Leave the top open for ventilation and the bottom 6-12 inches open for drainage and airflow. Consider adjustable panels or plantings that provide privacy while maintaining the outdoor feel.
  8. Mount Weatherproof Fixtures. Mount your shower head, mixing valve, and any additional fixtures to the back wall of your frame. Use marine-grade or outdoor-rated fixtures designed to withstand weather exposure. Install everything at standard heights: mixing valve at 48 inches, shower head at 80 inches from the floor.
  9. Complete the Details Last. Install hooks for towels and toiletries, add non-slip surfaces to your shower floor, and consider solar heating for your water supply if you want consistently warm water. Add outdoor lighting on a GFCI circuit for evening use, and include storage for soap and shampoo.