Off-Grid Living in Thompson, Connecticut

I've been digging into what off-grid living actually looks like in Thompson, Connecticut, and the short version is: this is a zoned town with real permitting requirements at every level, so "off-grid" here means "self-sufficient utilities within a permitted structure," not "build whatever you want on raw land."

Zoning. Thompson is fully zoned by its Planning and Zoning Commission, under authority granted by Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 124. The town's regulations (last amended in 2023) require a zoning permit from the Commission or the Zoning Enforcement Officer before any building or structure is erected, moved, enlarged, or even before land use changes. You can't just park on raw land and start living there.

Dwellings, tiny homes, and RVs. There's no tiny-house or RV-as-permanent-residence carve-out that I found. The zoning code does spell out accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules in detail, capping ADUs at two per lot, requiring them to be smaller than the primary home, and requiring a full kitchen, sleeping area, bathroom, and private entrance. Beyond that, standard building permitting applies to any dwelling.

Building codes. The Town's Building Office adopted the 2015 IRC series (as of an October 2018 adoption date) and handles everything from permit application through inspections to Certificate of Occupancy. Any off-grid build still has to clear this process.

Septic and composting toilets. Septic isn't handled by the town directly, it's the Northeast District Department of Health (NDDH), a regional health authority, that does site investigations, plan review, permits, and inspections under the state's Public Health Code. I could not confirm any town-specific allowance for composting toilets as a septic alternative, so if that's your plan, ask NDDH directly.

Greywater. I found nothing specific to Thompson on greywater reuse. That leaves it in the unclear, state-baseline territory, worth a direct call to NDDH or the state health department before you build a system.

Rainwater harvesting. Nothing in Thompson's rules restricts rainwater collection beyond the general state building code (cistern/plumbing provisions apply if you're plumbing it into a structure). I'd treat this as generally permitted.

Wells. Also delegated to NDDH, which is the authority for well permitting across the district, including Thompson.

Full utility disconnection. The zoning regulations put the burden on the applicant to independently secure sign-off from NDDH, the Inland Wetlands Commission, and any other relevant agency before finishing up. So going off-grid on well and septic doesn't exempt you from those approvals.

Bottom line: nothing here is a flat "no," but nearly everything requires a permit from one of three authorities: the town's Zoning/Building offices or the regional health district. Confirm specifics before you buy land or break ground.