Off-Grid Living in Derry, New Hampshire

I've been digging into what off-grid living actually looks like in Derry, New Hampshire, and the short version is: Derry is a fully zoned town, so anything you want to do with land here runs through Chapter 165 of the Town Code, plus state rules layered on top. That's a different situation from unzoned towns further north, so don't assume Derry works the way a rural NH town might.

Zoning. The Town of Derry adopted its zoning ordinance back in 1993 and keeps amending it (most recently in late 2025). Chapter 165, Article VI lays out district-specific rules, and no building permit gets issued unless your lot meets the requirements for whatever district it sits in. Translation: what's allowed on your land depends entirely on which zone you're in, so check with Derry Planning before you buy or build.

Dwellings, tiny homes, RVs. This is the murkiest area. Derry allows attached accessory dwelling units (not detached ones) under certain conditions, though I'd confirm the exact parameters with the town rather than rely on secondary sources. I found no clear provision in the ordinance for using an RV or tiny home as a standalone permanent residence outside a licensed manufactured-housing park. If that's your plan, call Code Enforcement before you commit.

Building permits. Derry requires a permit from the Building Inspector for any construction, and the town has adopted the state's International Building Code with local amendments under Chapter 30. The Inspector is supposed to act on applications within a set window, but get current specifics from Code Enforcement directly.

Septic and composting toilets. Septic systems fall mainly under NH DES's statewide design standards, with the town's Code Enforcement office as the local point of contact. Where municipal sewer isn't available, Derry's ordinance calls for a "state-approved" septic system, not a total pass on wastewater handling. Composting toilets aren't spelled out in the town code I reviewed, but state DHHS guidance allows privies if the local Health Officer signs off on location and construction, so full off-grid composting setups likely need that local sign-off.

Greywater and rainwater. I couldn't find any Derry-specific rule on either. That likely means the state plumbing/residential code baseline applies, but I'd call Code Enforcement to be sure there isn't a local wrinkle.

Wells. Private wells are licensed at the state level through the NH Water Well Board, not by Derry itself. Same idea as septic: if you're not on municipal water, the town expects a state-approved well system.

Full utility disconnection. Here's the bottom line: Derry doesn't clearly authorize going completely without water or septic infrastructure. Where municipal hookups aren't available, the town still expects a state-approved alternative, not nothing at all.

Nothing here is legal advice, just my research pulled from Derry's ordinance text and state guidance documents. Always confirm specifics with the actual offices before you plan a build.