Off-grid site report
Franklin County, ID
42.2450, -111.7830 · 6,195 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Franklin County, ID, 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 rulesFranklin County, ID
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyFranklin County has a countywide Development Code with zoning districts and an Official Zoning Map kept at the Recorder's office; legality of raw-land occupancy depends on the district and proximity to town impact areas. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyThe county has a Manufactured Home Ordinance but no confirmed rule on tiny homes; RVs are titled/registered by the state but occupancy is a local zoning matter not clearly spelled out. Call Planning & Zoning to confirm. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedFranklin County adopted the International Codes and requires a building permit, with an Unimproved Road Ordinance that can block permits on substandard roads; incorporated towns issue their own permits separately. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic permitting is delegated to Southeastern Idaho Public Health under state DEQ rules; composting or portable non-discharging toilets are recognized as allowed on a temporary basis under state rule. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo county-specific greywater ordinance was found; it appears to fall under the same state subsurface sewage disposal rules SIPH administers for septic. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county or state rule addressing rooftop rainwater harvesting was found either way; treat this as unconfirmed rather than clearly permitted.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedNo Franklin County-specific well ordinance was found; well drilling and water rights are handled statewide by the Idaho Department of Water Resources.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo ordinance explicitly requires or bans grid disconnection, but septic and building permitting can indirectly force certain infrastructure steps; confirm your plan with the county. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.1 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,463 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 17 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 54 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,314 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- May 20 to Sep 24
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Franklin County Medical Center - 11.2 mi
- Fire station
Franklin County Fire District Station 1 - 11.5 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 10.3 mi
- Grocery
Stokes - 11.6 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 83263).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Franklin County, ID?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →Share or save this report:New report
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.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.