Off-grid site report
Kootenai County, ID
47.7275, -116.8359 · 2,277 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Kootenai 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 rulesKootenai County, ID
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedKootenai County has adopted a comprehensive Land Use and Development Code (Title 8), administered by Community Development/Planning, with district-specific permitted-use lists; five-acre-plus parcels get more flexible primary/accessory use rights with an open-space requirement. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedCounty rural zones generally allow only one single-family dwelling (including Class A manufactured homes) plus accessory buildings; RVs are limited to temporary/recreational use, not standalone residence, though a hardship temporary dwelling permit exists for dependent relatives on one-acre-plus parcels. The City of Kootenai has its own separate RV rules that don't apply countywide. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedKootenai County enforces its own adopted building code plus local amendments under Title 8 and Title 7 Chapter 1; building, altering, or using structures outside that framework is unlawful and the Building Department can attach conditions to permits. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedPanhandle Health District, not the county, issues septic permits for Kootenai County under Idaho DEQ's statewide subsurface sewage rules; permits are coordinated with county building/planning. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo distinct Kootenai County greywater ordinance was found; it appears folded into the same PHD/DEQ wastewater permitting used for septic, but this isn't confirmed, so ask Panhandle Health District directly. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county or Panhandle Health District page specifically addressing residential rainwater collection was found; not confirmed either way, so confirm with the county planning office or PHD.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedIDWR's Coeur d'Alene regional office issues standard well permits, but Kootenai County sits on the federally designated sole-source Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, adding extra state and county-level protections through the county's Aquifer Protection District. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance requiring hookup to public utilities was found, so off-grid power appears unrestricted; however, occupancy still requires PHD sewage/water approval before a certificate of occupancy is issued, effectively constraining off-grid water/waste setups. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.2 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 1.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,191 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 26 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 30 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,428 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 25 to Oct 16
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Valley Hospital - 19.0 mi
- Fire station
Fire Station #4 - 0.4 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 2.4 mi
- Grocery
C & C Grocery - 1.2 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 83815).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Kootenai 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.