Off-grid site report

Northampton County, PA

40.6313, -75.3766 · 305 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Northampton County, PA, 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 rulesNorthampton County, PA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyNorthampton County has no countywide zoning ordinance; each borough/township adopts its own. The county's role is limited to a Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and coordination via the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyTiny home, RV, and dwelling occupancy standards are set by each township or borough's zoning and property-maintenance codes, not the county. Not confirmed at the county level. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedThe statewide Uniform Construction Code sets permit requirements for construction, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work, enforced by each municipality's own office. Some townships, like Moore Township, have opted out of mandatory third-party UCC inspection. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedOn-lot sewage permits go through each township's certified Sewage Enforcement Officer under the state Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), with the Northampton County Health Department providing septic inspection and environmental health support countywide. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo county or municipal ordinance was found modifying the state treatment of greywater as sewage requiring a DEP-listed absorption system; this is not confirmed beyond the state baseline.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county-specific rainwater ordinance was found; harvesting for non-potable use follows the state baseline, though some boroughs address rainwater within stormwater management chapters. source

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPennsylvania does not require a statewide well permit, but the Northampton County Health Department inspects new wells and tests drinking water samples as part of its environmental health services.

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo countywide ordinance mandates utility hookups; any such requirement would come from a specific township or borough's sewer-connection or occupancy rules. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.5 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.0 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,268 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 45 in/yr
Snowfall: 33 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,800 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 24 to Oct 16

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital St Luke's Hospital - Lehighton Campus: 23.0 mi
Fire station Hanover Township Fire Company: 2.6 mi
Hardware store Aykroyd Hardware: 0.5 mi
Grocery Linden Food Market: 0.5 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 18025).

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.