Off-grid site report

Quay County, NM

34.9340, -103.7605 · 4,288 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Quay County, NM, 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 rulesQuay County, NM

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyQuay County's own ordinance list shows a subdivision ordinance and a wireless-siting ordinance but no general countywide zoning code, suggesting unincorporated land has little formal zoning. Incorporated towns (Tucumcari, Logan, House, San Jon) handle zoning individually, so confirm with the specific town if your land is inside one. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Quay County rule specifically on tiny homes or full-time RV occupancy was found; statewide manufactured/modular home standards come from the state Construction Industries Division and Manufactured Housing Division, but applicability to Quay County isn't confirmed, so ask the county directly. source
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyQuay County's site doesn't show a dedicated building department; the likely fallback for unincorporated areas is the state Construction Industries Division, but this isn't confirmed on an official county page. Incorporated towns issue their own permits. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedRegulated statewide by the New Mexico Environment Department's Liquid Waste Program; Quay County has no septic ordinance of its own (only Bernalillo County does statewide). Homeowners can qualify to self-install after passing NMED's exam, followed by a Permit to Construct, inspection, and Permit to Operate. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNew Mexico's state greywater rule (NMED) allows small residential systems without a permit if design standards are met; no Quay County-specific greywater ordinance was found. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Quay County ordinance restricts rainwater harvesting; it follows the state's general allowance for residential collection under the Office of the State Engineer's framework. The county's 40-Year Water Plan addresses regional planning, not harvesting rules. source
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedWell drilling and water rights permitting is handled by the state Office of the State Engineer, not Quay County. County water planning documents supplement but don't replace OSE authority. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo countywide zoning or ordinance requiring connection to grid utilities was found for unincorporated Quay County, consistent with the absence of a comprehensive zoning code; this isn't independently confirmed as a settled 'no' though.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
6.4 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
5.1 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,796 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
18 in/yr
Snowfall
20 in/yr
Heating degree days
4,438 (moderate)
Frost-free season
Apr 23 to Oct 21

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Dr Dan C Trigg Memorial Hospital
15.5 mi
Fire station
Quay District 4 Fire Station
0.7 mi
Hardware store
none within range
Grocery
Lowe's
16.6 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 88433).

Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt

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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.