Off-grid site report

Kidder County, ND

46.8547, -99.9155 · 1,857 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Kidder County, ND, 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 rulesKidder County, ND

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Unclear - verifyKidder County has adopted zoning regulations, referenced in a document on the state DEQ site tied to livestock operation siting, but the actual district rules and raw-land occupancy standards aren't confirmed from an official live source. Contact the County Auditor's office for current ordinance text. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo Kidder County-specific minimum dwelling size or RV occupancy standard was found. These are set locally in North Dakota, so this needs direct confirmation from the County Auditor's office.

Building permits & codes

Unclear - verifyNorth Dakota's State Building Code exists at the state level but counties aren't required to adopt or enforce it. Whether Kidder County operates a building permit or inspection department is not confirmed; ask the County Auditor's office. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedKidder County contracts septic permitting, site evaluations, and inspections to Western Plains Public Health, a regional environmental health unit. Installers also need a state license through the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, which sets statewide design standards. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo state or Kidder County rule specifically addressing residential greywater reuse was found. It likely falls under the same onsite wastewater review as septic, so check with Western Plains Public Health.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Kidder County-specific restriction was found, so the general state allowance for rainwater harvesting appears to apply, though a building permit may be needed for underground storage tanks.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWell construction and water appropriation permitting are handled by the North Dakota Department of Water Resources, with local water resource districts managing drainage and watershed issues. No added Kidder County restriction was found. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo Kidder County ordinance requiring connection to electric or water utilities was found. Whether the county imposes such a mandate is a local option under state law and isn't confirmed; ask the County Auditor's office.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.7 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.6 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,379 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 19 in/yr
Snowfall: 40 in/yr
Heating degree days: 8,877 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 12 to Sep 24

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital: none within range
Fire station: none within range
Hardware store: none within range
Grocery Supervalu Foods: 0.0 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 58482).

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 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.