Off-grid site report

Walsh County, ND

48.4214, -98.0790 · 1,572 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Walsh County, ND, 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 rulesWalsh County, ND

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyWalsh County Planning & Zoning administers zoning outside incorporated cities and townships (which may have their own rules); agricultural districts are typically most permissive but district-specific rules require checking the county map directly. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo official Walsh County document spells out standards for tiny homes or RV living; third-party claims about mobile-home districts aren't confirmed. Contact Planning & Zoning directly.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedWalsh County requires a building permit for unincorporated areas via a paper application process through the county permits office; North Dakota has no statewide building code mandate, so this is a county-level requirement. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Walsh County Health District issues OSTS permits with specific design standards (pipe material, tank construction); installers also need a state license under NDCC 23.1-07.1. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Walsh County or North Dakota document specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; treat as needing pre-clearance from the Walsh County Health District.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county-specific restriction found; this inherits North Dakota's state baseline, which is generally permissive, with a permit possibly required only for underground storage tanks.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedDomestic/stock wells generally follow the state baseline (exempt from full appropriation permitting, but must meet state well-construction standards); drainage or drain-tile work is a separate permit through the Walsh County Water Resource District.

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo Walsh County ordinance on grid-utility connection was found; North Dakota has no statewide mandate to connect, but confirm with Planning & Zoning about any district-specific occupancy rules.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.5 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.5 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,324 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 21 in/yr
Heating degree days: 8,887 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 8 to Sep 30

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital First Care Health Center: 15.4 mi
Fire station Adams Fire & Rescue: 0.2 mi
Hardware store: none within range
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 58210).

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.