Off-grid site report

Pend Oreille County, WA

48.7803, -117.4141 · 2,028 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Pend Oreille County, WA, 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 rulesPend Oreille County, WA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyThe county planned under the state Growth Management Act and has a Comprehensive Plan and Table of Permitted Uses administered by the Community Development Department; generally one single-family dwelling plus one accessory dwelling unit per lot, with conditions. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyManufactured/mobile homes need a county building permit and must meet WA Dept. of Labor & Industries standards; RV parks are a separate permitted use category. No clear county definition found for tiny homes on wheels versus RVs. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedThe county enforces the Washington State building code with local amendments for snow load, wind, seismic category, and frost depth; permits are issued and renewable for a set period per county rules. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedSeptic and wastewater permitting is handled by the Northeast Tri County Health District (NETCHD), not the county, under statewide WAC 246-272A standards; an approved system is required for occupancy.

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Pend Oreille County or NETCHD-specific greywater ordinance was found; the statewide WAC 246-274 rule appears to be the default. Confirm with NETCHD directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rainwater harvesting rule was found; Washington Department of Ecology's general policy allowing non-potable rainwater collection appears to apply by default.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells are allowed under the statewide small-well exemption, but Pend Oreille County requires lab testing of well water (bacteria, arsenic, lead, nitrate, uranium) before issuing a building permit. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Largely prohibitedThe county's Building FAQ states that any dwelling unit, including seasonal or hunting cabins regardless of size or occupancy frequency, must connect to a permanent potable water source and a NETCHD-approved wastewater system; fully disconnected occupancy is not permitted. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.1 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 1.7 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,117 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 28 in/yr
Snowfall: 56 in/yr
Heating degree days: 7,248 (cold)
Frost-free season: May 5 to Oct 2

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital: 25.9 mi
Fire station: none within range
Hardware store Northport Hardware: 19.1 mi
Grocery Ione Food Court: 2.8 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 99139).

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.