Off-grid site report
Chesterfield County, VA
37.3655, -77.4161 · 125 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Chesterfield County, VA, 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 rulesChesterfield County, VA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedChesterfield County has countywide zoning under Chapter 19.2 of the County Code (replacing the expired Chapter 19.1) plus a Subdivision Ordinance (Chapter 17.1). Raw land use, including dwellings and utilities, must conform to the applicable zoning district. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyFoundation-built homes and ADUs are reviewed under the state Uniform Statewide Building Code and local zoning, with ADU rules varying by district (not fully confirmed). RVs have parking/setback rules on residential lots but full-time RV living as a residence is not confirmed as permitted. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedChesterfield County is required to enforce the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), administered by the state's Department of Housing and Community Development; a permit is required for houses, additions, and structural work. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Chesterfield Health District, part of the Virginia Department of Health, issues permits for septic and other onsite sewage systems, including composting/alternative systems, under state regulation. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedGreywater use is regulated at the state level by the Virginia Board of Health under state code; no Chesterfield-specific ordinance modifying this was found. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedRain barrels up to 100 gallons are exempt from state regulation per the Virginia Department of Health; larger 'Tier' systems fall under state Rainwater Harvesting System Regulations. No Chesterfield-specific rainwater ordinance was found. source
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted and inspected through the Chesterfield Health District under state Virginia Department of Health authority, with a statewide requirement since 2019 that applications include work from a licensed private-sector consultant. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Chesterfield ordinance explicitly mandating grid electric connection was found, but occupancy of a dwelling still requires USBC permitting, inspections, and an approved water/septic system through VDH, so full off-grid occupancy without permitted systems is not permitted. Confirm specifics with Building Inspection.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.1 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,410 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 44 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 3,771 (moderate)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Select Specialty Hospital - 16.1 mi
- Fire station
Centralia Station Number 17 - 2.4 mi
- Hardware store
Stony Counters - 3.6 mi
- Grocery
Food Lion - 0.4 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 23831).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Chesterfield County, VA?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 22, 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.