Off-Grid Living in Washington, Maine

If you're eyeing a patch of land in Washington, Maine (Knox County) for an off-grid setup, here's what I've found digging through the town's own ordinance and permitting pages, plus state rules that flow through.

Zoning is real here. Unlike some unorganized townships in Maine, Washington has an adopted Land Use Ordinance (last amended March 2024) that covers the whole town, with districts mapped out. So "just buy woods and do whatever" isn't the situation, you're working within a formal zoning framework administered by the town's Code Enforcement Officer (CEO), who also acts as zoning administrator, building inspector, and plumbing inspector.

Dwellings, tiny homes, RVs: I couldn't find a specific provision addressing tiny homes or RVs as permanent dwellings in the ordinance text I reviewed. That doesn't mean it's forbidden, it means it's not spelled out clearly, so I'd call the CEO directly before assuming anything.

Building permits are required locally, separate from state code thresholds. Per the town's own site, a building permit is needed for new structures over 240 square feet, including additions and sheds, and there's a separate shoreland permit if you're working anywhere in the shoreland zone. Fees are mentioned but I'm not going to quote exact numbers here since the town's page should be your source of truth at the time you apply.

Septic and composting toilets: the town requires a subsurface wastewater permit for new or replacement septic systems, administered by the CEO but under the state's Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules (Maine CDC). Composting toilets generally fall under this same state rulebook.

Greywater doesn't have its own town ordinance that I found, it looks like greywater disposal gets folded into the same septic/plumbing permitting process, per state rule.

Rainwater harvesting: no town ordinance found either way. Silence isn't necessarily permission, so ask the CEO.

Private wells: no town-specific ordinance found. Well construction falls under Maine's statewide Water Well Program, and there's no evidence Washington adds its own layer on top.

Utility disconnection: there's no outright ban on living off-grid, but because building, plumbing, septic, and shoreland permits are all mandatory regardless of grid connection, going off-grid doesn't get you out of the town's permitting system. You still need to satisfy the CEO on structures and waste systems even if you never touch a power line.

Bottom line: Washington is a zoned, actively regulated town in terms of building and septic, but has real gaps in explicit guidance on tiny homes, RVs, rainwater, and wells. Where the notes say "not confirmed," I mean it, don't guess, call the Town Office or CEO before you commit to a plan.