Questions to Ask the County (or Town) Before You Buy

One phone call or office visit answers most of these. Write the name and date of who told you: a rule quoted by a named official is worth ten web pages.

Parcel: __________________ Office: __________________ Spoke with: __________________ Date: ________

Zoning and land use

1. What zoning district is this parcel in, and what dwellings are allowed by right?
2. Is there a minimum dwelling size? A minimum lot size for a new dwelling? Is this lot buildable as-is?
3. Can I live in an RV, a tiny home on wheels, or a cabin under construction on the land? For how long, and with what permit?
4. What are the setbacks from property lines, the road, and any water?
5. Is the road frontage legal frontage for a building permit? Is the road town-maintained or private?
6. Are there overlay districts (shoreland, floodplain, ridgeline, conservation, historic) on this parcel?

Building

1. Is a building permit required for my structure? At what size does a permit kick in for sheds and outbuildings?
2. Which building code edition is enforced, and are inspections required? Is an owner-builder allowed?
3. Is a certificate of occupancy required before living in the home? What does it require (electric, plumbing, egress, heat)?
4. Are there energy code requirements that apply to a small off-grid home?
5. Can I use a wood stove as primary heat? Any stove or chimney permit?

Wastewater and toilets

1. Is a septic permit required, and who performs the site evaluation or perc test? How long does approval take?
2. Are composting toilets permitted? With or without a septic system for greywater?
3. Is an outhouse or pit privy permitted for a seasonal or remote dwelling?
4. What are the greywater rules? Is a separate greywater system allowed, and what does it require?
5. Does the septic permit require a certain number of bedrooms, or tie to the dwelling permit?

Water

1. Is a permit required to drill a well? Are there well setbacks from septic and property lines?
2. Are there water rights or water-use restrictions (especially in western states)?
3. Is rainwater harvesting permitted for non-potable use? For potable use with treatment?
4. Is there a municipal water line within a distance that would require hookup?

Utilities and living off-grid

1. Is a utility connection required for a certificate of occupancy, or can a home be permitted as fully off-grid?
2. Any permit or inspection for a solar system, battery bank, or generator?
3. Any rules on fuel storage (propane tank placement, diesel/gas storage)?
4. Any restrictions on livestock, fencing, or agricultural use on this parcel?

Money and process

1. What were last year's property taxes, and how are off-grid improvements assessed?
2. Is the parcel in Current Use or a conservation program? What does withdrawal cost?
3. What do permits cost, in what order are they filed, and what is the realistic timeline?
4. Is there anything about this parcel I should know before buying? (Ask it plainly. Clerks often know.)

From liveoffthegrid.com. Pair with the county page on the site for what the research found, then confirm here. Research aid, not legal advice.