Off-Grid Living in Lee, New Hampshire

I've been digging into what off-grid living actually looks like in Lee, New Hampshire, a rural Strafford County town that's still fully zoned, and I want to be upfront: some of what follows is well-documented by the town, and some of it just isn't spelled out anywhere I could find, which is itself useful information.

Zoning. Lee is not one of those unzoned New England towns you sometimes hear about. It runs its own Zoning Regulations (last updated 2023), Subdivision Regulations, and Building Regulations, all administered through the Planning & Zoning Administration/Building Inspection office. That office reviews any building activity against these local rules plus state statute. If you're eyeing a piece of raw land for an off-grid setup, you'd want to actually read the current Zoning Regulations text or call the office, since district-by-district lot and use rules aren't something I can summarize responsibly without the document in front of me.

Dwellings, tiny homes, RVs. I could not confirm any Lee-specific ordinance addressing tiny homes or living in an RV. The Building Inspector issues certificates of occupancy and handles inspections across trades, but that's a general permitting function, not a tiny-home policy. Treat this as unclear and ask the Building Inspector directly before you commit to a plan.

Building permits. Confirmed: Lee has its own Building Regulations (2018), and the Building Inspector reviews permits for compliance with zoning, subdivision rules, building codes, and state statute.

Septic and composting toilets. This one's clear. Lee's own FAQ states plainly that new or replacement wells and septic systems all require a local permit. Behind that, New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) sets the actual design and setback rules statewide under its Env-Wq 1000 program, including things like well setback distances and added shoreland protections near water. Composting toilets and privies are allowed under state law (RSA 147:8), but only with your local health officer signing off on location and construction, this is a state-inherited rule enforced locally.

Greywater. Not confirmed. I found no Lee ordinance or NHDES rule specifically addressing residential greywater reuse. That's a real gap, not a green light, so ask before you build a greywater system.

Rainwater harvesting. Also not explicitly addressed at the town level. State plumbing code baselines apply to indoor use, but I found nothing Lee-specific either restricting or encouraging catchment systems.

Wells. Confirmed permit requirement locally, per Lee's FAQ, for both new and replacement wells. NHDES notes some New Hampshire towns add their own well-siting rules on top of state requirements, so it's worth confirming with the Lee Building Inspector whether any local siting criteria apply beyond the state baseline.

Full utility disconnection. I found no official Lee statement banning or blessing living entirely off-grid, unhooked from municipal utilities. Lee is rural and much of it isn't served by municipal water or sewer anyway, but that's an observation, not a confirmed town policy.

Bottom line: septic, wells, and general building are clearly regulated with permits required, both by state design standards and the local FAQ. Tiny homes, greywater, rainwater, and full utility disconnection sit in gray areas where you genuinely need to call Lee's office before assuming anything.