Off-grid site report

Shiawassee County, MI

42.9982, -84.1400 · 745 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Shiawassee 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 rulesShiawassee County, MI

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyThe Shiawassee County Zoning Ordinance governs unincorporated townships, with agricultural districts limiting dwelling density and land use. Incorporated cities/villages and opted-out townships (like Perry Township) administer zoning independently. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo countywide minimum dwelling size, tiny-home, or RV occupancy rule was confirmed in official sources; accessory structure setback rules exist, but specifics on tiny homes should be verified with Community Development or your township. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedBuilding permits in unincorporated areas follow Michigan's statewide construction code, administered locally by the county's Community Development Department; no county-specific additions were found. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedShiawassee County has its own On-Site Sewage Disposal System ordinance administered by the Environmental Health Division, requiring compliance letters at sale and owner-maintained systems; composting toilets aren't separately addressed and likely need Environmental Health approval. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo county-specific greywater ordinance was found; this defers to Michigan's state plumbing code baseline. Confirm treatment specifics with the county Environmental Health Division.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Shiawassee County rainwater harvesting ordinance was located; this defers fully to the state's plumbing code and related state act.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate well permitting is delegated to the county Health Department's Environmental Health Division under the state's Well Construction Code; large withdrawals above the state's 70 gpd threshold require separate EGLE registration.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo explicit county ban on full utility disconnection was found, but occupancy functionally requires an approved well permit and compliant septic system through Environmental Health, mirroring the state baseline.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
4.4 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
2.1 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,264 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
32 in/yr
Snowfall
37 in/yr
Heating degree days
6,954 (cold)
Frost-free season
May 1 to Oct 10

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Memorial Healthcare
2.1 mi
Fire station
Corunna Fire Station
1.5 mi
Hardware store
The Home Depot
0.9 mi
Grocery
ALDI
0.1 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 48867).

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.