Off-grid site report

Upshur County, WV

38.7597, -80.2371 · 1,933 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Upshur County, WV, 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 rulesUpshur County, WV

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Generally allowedUpshur County has authority to adopt zoning under state law but has not done so for unincorporated areas, so there's no countywide zoning ordinance. The City of Buckhannon has its own separate zoning that applies only inside city limits. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo dedicated county ordinance for RVs or tiny homes was found; the county's general Building Permit Ordinance likely applies to manufactured housing, but occupancy specifics aren't confirmed. Ask the county permit office directly.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedThe Upshur County Commission requires a building permit for construction, renovation, relocation, or site development in unincorporated areas, with added scrutiny for floodplain projects. Inside Buckhannon, the city handles permits instead. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic systems are regulated through the state sanitary code, implemented locally by the Upshur-Buckhannon Health Department; no county-specific deviation was found, and composting toilet treatment isn't separately confirmed. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo Upshur County-specific greywater rule was found; it's presumed to fall under the same state Bureau for Public Health onsite sewage standards, enforced by the local health department.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricting non-potable rainwater collection was found. Using harvested rainwater as a potable source isn't confirmed as separately reviewed.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWest Virginia requires a permit from the local health department (Upshur-Buckhannon Health Department here) before drilling, modifying, or abandoning a well, and the well must be drilled by a licensed driller. Cisterns or springs used for drinking water need chlorination or UV treatment to be approved.

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo state or county law was found mandating hookup to public water, sewer, or electric utilities; obligations arise indirectly through building and septic/well permitting rather than a direct mandate.

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): 2.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,216 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 59 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,138 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 28 to Oct 15

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Saint Joseph's Hospital of Buckhannon: 16.0 mi
Fire station Selbyville FD: 0.3 mi
Hardware store Harbor Freight Tools: 16.8 mi
Grocery IGA: 7.8 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 26236).

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.