Off-grid site report

Juniata County, PA

40.5695, -77.4028 · 449 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Juniata County, PA, 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 rulesJuniata County, PA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyJuniata County has no countywide zoning ordinance; some townships like Fermanagh have adopted their own zoning, others may not have any. The County Planning Commission coordinates but does not zone land itself. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo Juniata County-specific rule found on tiny homes or RVs as permanent dwellings; this is set by individual township/borough zoning ordinances where they exist, layered on the statewide Uniform Construction Code baseline. Confirm with the specific municipality.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedPennsylvania's UCC is enforced locally; most Juniata County municipalities either administer it themselves or hire a third-party agency (Juniata Terrace Borough uses Bureau Veritas). Where a municipality hasn't opted in, the PA Department of Labor & Industry handles permitting directly. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedUnder Pennsylvania's Sewage Facilities Act, each municipality (not the county) must employ a certified Sewage Enforcement Officer to review and permit on-lot septic systems. No composting toilet rule beyond the state NSF 41 baseline was found. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo Juniata County or municipal greywater ordinance was found; the state baseline applies, treating greywater as sewage requiring a DEP-listed system.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county or municipal rule was found that changes the state position; rainwater harvesting for non-potable use is generally allowed under the state baseline.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPennsylvania has no statewide well construction/siting standards, though drillers must be licensed through DCNR. No Juniata County well ordinance was found; some municipalities elsewhere in PA add their own standards, so check with your township. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo countywide rule requires grid utility hookup for occupancy; if any such requirement exists, it would come from an individual municipality's building or zoning code. Confirm with the specific township or borough. source

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): 2.6 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,226 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 41 in/yr
Snowfall: 24 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,723 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 22 to Oct 19

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital: 9.3 mi
Fire station Decatur Fire house: 7.0 mi
Hardware store Rickenbaugh Building Supply: 8.8 mi
Grocery Weis: 0.9 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 17058).

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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.