Off-grid site report

Burleigh County, ND

46.8242, -100.4134 · 1,703 ft elevation

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

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyBurleigh County Planning & Zoning Commission regulates unincorporated areas and townships that ceded authority to it, but administration is per-district and non-standard uses (like unusual dwelling placement) may need a special use permit. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedCounty zoning ordinance sets minimum width, depth, floor area, and ceiling height for single-family dwellings; manufactured homes qualify if they meet these plus federal HUD standards. RVs as permanent homes are not addressed and likely need a special use permit. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedBurleigh County's Building/Planning/Zoning Department requires permits for new structures, remodels, basement finishes, septic, and mechanical work, with inspections scheduled locally. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic systems need a permit from Burleigh County's Building/Planning/Zoning office, built on state licensing of installers through the ND Department of Environmental Quality. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo county or state source specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; not confirmed, so ask Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning directly before relying on any assumption.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Burleigh County ordinance restricting rainwater harvesting was found, so the state's general allowance appears to apply; large storage systems may still need a building permit, not confirmed.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWells are overseen by the Burleigh County Water Resource District under state water law, with domestic and stock wells generally exempt from full appropriation permitting.

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo Burleigh County ordinance explicitly requiring grid electrical or water/sewer hookup for rural parcels was found; not confirmed, so confirm directly with the county.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.8 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.7 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,390 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 18 in/yr
Snowfall: 51 in/yr
Heating degree days: 8,559 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 12 to Sep 24

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital CHI St. Alexius Health: 17.2 mi
Fire station: none within range
Hardware store Menards: 17.2 mi
Grocery Johns Food Center: 13.8 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 58558).

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.