Off-grid site report

Westchester County, NY

40.9120, -73.8474 · 161 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Westchester County, NY, 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 rulesWestchester County, NY

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyWestchester County has no countywide zoning code; each of its six cities, 16 towns, and 23 villages has home-rule authority over its own zoning ordinance. The County Planning Department only reviews referrals and gives technical advice. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official Westchester County source confirms a specific policy on tiny houses or RVs as permanent dwellings; this is set by individual town/village zoning codes, not the county. Confirm with the specific municipal building or zoning department.
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyThere is no countywide building department; each municipality issues its own permits under the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. Contact the specific town, village, or city building department. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe Westchester County Department of Health requires a construction permit and approved, engineer-prepared plans for any new or remediated onsite wastewater treatment system, under Article VIII of the Laws of Westchester County (the County Sanitary Code), with county engineers inspecting during construction. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo official Westchester County page specifically addresses greywater reuse; it likely falls under the same Sanitary Code/OWTS review by the Health Department's Bureau of Environmental Quality. Ask that office directly. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Westchester County page specifically regulates rainwater harvesting, so state baseline rules likely apply; not confirmed at the county level and could be addressed by your town.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted and serve about 6% of county residents, but Westchester requires a Health Department construction permit before drilling and, unusually, mandates well water testing at sale, for leased properties, and before new well use under the county's Private Well Water Testing Law. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo countywide rule forces a grid electric hookup, but county Health Department approval of septic and well systems becomes void once public sewer or water becomes available, nudging properties toward hookup where it exists; actual occupancy requirements are set by local building codes town by town.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
4.7 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
2.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,336 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
49 in/yr
Heating degree days
4,755 (moderate)

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Montefiore Medical Center West Campus Moses Division Hospital
2.8 mi
Fire station
Yonkers Fire Station 13
0.6 mi
Hardware store
Lowe's
10.4 mi
Grocery
none within range

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 10551).

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