Off-grid site report
Alcona County, MI
44.7600, -83.2977 · 587 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Alcona County, MI, 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 rulesAlcona County, MI
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyAlcona County has no countywide zoning ordinance; each township (Alcona, Millen, Greenbush, Curtis, Caledonia, etc.) adopts and enforces its own zoning ordinance and districts, so raw-land occupancy rules depend on the specific township. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedThe county Building Department enforces the Michigan Residential Code for permanent dwellings, but long-term occupancy of RVs or tiny homes is governed by individual township zoning ordinances, which vary; no countywide exemption was found.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedAlcona County adopted the Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code as required by state law, and the county Building Inspector issues building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits.
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedDistrict Health Department No. 2, covering Alcona, Iosco, Ogemaw and Oscoda counties, permits and regulates on-site septic systems; whether composting toilets are accepted as an alternative was not confirmed, so ask DHD2 directly. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Alcona County or DHD2-specific greywater ordinance was found; this likely defaults to the Michigan state plumbing/residential code baseline, but confirm with the county Building Department.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county or township restriction or permit specific to rainwater harvesting was found; this likely follows the state baseline, not confirmed locally.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are the norm countywide since there's no municipal water; District Health Department No. 2 permits and reviews well locations, coordinating with septic siting.
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyTownships provide no public water or sewer, so private wells and septic are the default, but a Building Department occupancy permit for a permanent structure still requires an approved well and a DHD2-permitted septic system; temporary/camping disconnection depends on township rules.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.5 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.3 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,318 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 31 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 52 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,852 (severe)
- Frost-free season
- May 4 to Oct 15
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena - 23.2 mi
- Fire station
Harrisville Fire Department - 7.1 mi
- Hardware store
Lincoln VIllage Hardware - 7.5 mi
- Grocery
Kris Mart - 7.5 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 48721).
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.