Off-grid site report

Polk County, OR

44.9240, -123.2276 · 210 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Polk County, OR, not legal advice and not a guarantee. Rules change, and the deciding facts on any specific parcel (setbacks, perc results, overlay districts, deed restrictions, road frontage) live at the county or town office, not in any database. Before you buy land or build, confirm the current rules directly with the local zoning and health offices - the sources on this page tell you exactly who to call.

The local rulesPolk County, OR

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedPolk County has countywide zoning administered by the Community Development Department's Planning Division; minimum lot sizes and subdivision standards vary by zone and weren't independently confirmed for each zone, so check the Zoning Ordinance or call Planning. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyPermanent tiny homes are treated as dwellings under Oregon's state Residential Specialty Code; wheeled tiny homes are generally treated like RVs. Polk County issues manufactured structure permits, but whether it has opted into the state's SB 1013 RV-rental-dwelling program is not confirmed. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedBuilding permits are required, issued by Polk County outside cities or by the city (e.g., Dallas) within its limits, and a residential permit often bundles mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and septic approvals. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted; Polk County's Environmental Health Division acts as Oregon DEQ's local agent, doing soil evaluations and inspections, with applications routed through Community Development. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Polk County-specific greywater ordinance was found; the state DEQ tiered greywater permit program appears to be the default, but whether the county adds local restrictions is not confirmed, so ask Environmental Health.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Polk County-specific rainwater ordinance was found; the state's general exemption for roof/impervious-surface catchment is presumed to apply, though this isn't confirmed at the county level.

Private wells & water rights

Varies locallyPrivate wells are permitted and state-regulated, but part of Polk County falls within the Eola Hills Ground Water Limited Area, a special state-designated zone with added well construction standards. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedThere's no county ordinance banning off-grid electric living, but building permits still require proof of an approved water and waste disposal system regardless of grid connection status. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.2 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.0 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,197 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 47 in/yr
Snowfall: 4 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,685 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 21 to Oct 29

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Salem Health West Valley: 4.1 mi
Fire station Dallas Fire Department: 4.3 mi
Hardware store Ace Hardware: 8.8 mi
Grocery Safeway: 4.2 mi

From OpenStreetMap. Road miles will be longer, often much longer in hill country.

Plan this spot

These open with this location's real numbers already filled in (ZIP 97338).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

Sources: US Census Bureau geocoder; NLR PVWatts v8 (solar); NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 climate normals (nearest station) or Open-Meteo (ZIP-centroid) for weather; Open-Elevation; OpenStreetMap contributors. Public data retrieved Aug 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.