Off-grid site report

Salem County, NJ

39.5718, -75.4671 · 20 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Salem County, NJ, 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 rulesSalem County, NJ

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallySalem County has no countywide zoning ordinance; each of the 15 municipalities sets zoning under New Jersey's Municipal Land Use Law. The county Planning Board's growth-management framework is advisory, not binding. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyNo county-level rule addresses tiny homes or RV occupancy; dwelling type and lot requirements are set in each municipality's own zoning code, as shown by the City of Salem's example. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedBuilding permits are issued locally by each municipality under the state Uniform Construction Code; there is no county-wide construction office. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Salem County Department of Health and Human Services reviews and permits septic systems per state standards, and homeowners may self-install with the proper process; composting toilets specifically are not addressed on the county's site. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Salem County or state page specific to residential greywater reuse was found in this research; ask the county health department's environmental division directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance or health department guidance on rain barrels or cisterns was found; status is unconfirmed.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWells require an NJDEP permit first, then a county well application through Salem County Health and Human Services; Salem is one of the counties requiring extra mercury testing under the state's Private Well Testing Act. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo countywide ordinance mandates utility hookups; occupancy approval generally expects an approved well and septic in lieu of hookups, but Certificate of Occupancy practices vary by municipality (e.g., City of Salem does not require one before title transfer). source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.9 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.4 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,405 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 43 in/yr
Snowfall: 20 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,819 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 8 to Nov 1

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Wills Eye Hospital: 30.8 mi
Fire station Union Fire Company: 0.1 mi
Hardware store Woodstown Ice & Coal - Ace: 9.5 mi
Grocery Acme: 8.4 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 08079).

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.