Off-grid site report

Orange County, NY

41.3465, -74.6443 · 1,345 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Orange 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 rulesOrange County, NY

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyOrange County has no countywide zoning code; each town, village, or city sets its own. The County Planning Department only reviews certain local zoning actions under NYS General Municipal Law §239 referral process. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyNo county-level rule on tiny homes or RVs was found; each town's zoning/building code controls this, so you need to check the specific town's ordinance.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedBuilding permits are issued and enforced by each town's Code Enforcement Officer under the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code; Orange County has no central building department for this. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedThe Orange County Department of Health reviews and approves septic designs under state sanitary code standards; cesspools are not permitted and percolation testing is required. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Orange County-specific greywater rule was found; it appears to inherit the New York State baseline, which technically permits some reuse but is hard to implement legally. Confirm with the County Department of Health.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Orange County restriction on rainwater collection was found, so it appears to follow the New York State baseline allowing non-potable harvesting.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells are allowed if built by a state-registered contractor to NYS DOH Appendix 5-B standards, which Orange County hosts for local code officers; the County Water Authority plays only an advisory role.

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo countywide mandate to connect to the electric grid was found; however, town-level certificate of occupancy rules typically require an approved water supply and sewage system, meaning off-grid living is possible but not unregulated.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.6 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,269 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 46 in/yr
Snowfall: 43 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,489 (cold)
Frost-free season: May 7 to Oct 6

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Bon Secours Community Hospital: 2.4 mi
Fire station Greenville Township Fire Department: 2.2 mi
Hardware store The Home Depot: 3.5 mi
Grocery Save-A-Lot: 3.3 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 12771).

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.