Off-grid site report

Dauphin County, PA

40.2509, -76.8657 · 328 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Dauphin County, PA, 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 rulesDauphin County, PA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyNo countywide zoning ordinance exists; the Dauphin County Planning Commission coordinates planning under the state Municipalities Planning Code, but each of the county's 40 municipalities adopts and enforces its own zoning ordinance. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Dauphin County-specific rule on tiny homes or RVs as permanent dwellings was found; this is set by individual township/borough zoning and building ordinances, so confirm locally.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedPennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code is the statewide baseline; most PA municipalities enforce it themselves or via a certified third party, and Dauphin County has no central building department, each municipality runs its own permitting office. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedPennsylvania's Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537) requires a local Sewage Enforcement Officer to permit on-lot septic systems; in Dauphin County this is handled township-by-township, e.g. Lower Paxton and Susquehanna Townships each have their own SEO. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Dauphin County or municipal ordinance loosens the state DEP default, which regulates greywater as sewage; not confirmed that any local municipality has a separate greywater pathway.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county-specific rainwater ordinance was found; state DEP guidance allows collection for non-potable uses but not as a sole potable water source.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedNo county-level well permit requirement was found beyond the state driller-licensing baseline (Act 610); the Dauphin County Conservation District supports water-resource programs but does not issue well permits, and the county falls under DEP's Southcentral Regional Office. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNot confirmed at the county level; any requirement to connect to utilities for occupancy would be set by an individual township or borough code, not the county.

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)
2.8 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,296 kWh
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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
43 in/yr
Snowfall
27 in/yr
Heating degree days
5,146 (moderate)
Frost-free season
Apr 7 to Nov 11
Design low
6 °F

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Gettysburg Hospital ER Entrance
35.3 mi
Fire station
West Shore Bureau of Fire - Station 2-13
1.6 mi
Hardware store
Hornung's True Value
1.2 mi
Grocery
Asia PA Market
0.1 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 17122).

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.