Off-grid site report

Chenango County, NY

42.3292, -75.7699 · 922 ft elevation

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

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyNo county zoning ordinance exists in Chenango County; each town and village adopts its own. The county Planning & Development office only coordinates GML §239 referral reviews near municipal boundaries. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo countywide standard was found for tiny homes, RVs as dwellings, or minimum sizes; this is set by individual town zoning codes. Check your specific town's code and ask the town office directly.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedChenango County Fire and Building Code Enforcement Department enforces the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code for all municipalities except the Town and Village of Greene, Village of Earlville, and City of Norwich, which have their own offices. Permits are required for work covered by the Uniform Code, with narrow repair exceptions. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedThe Environmental Division of the Chenango County Public Health Department handles plan review, permitting, inspection, and enforcement for on-site wastewater/septic systems. Composting toilets fall back on state DOH rules with county review. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Chenango County or town-specific greywater ordinance was found; this defers to the New York State DOH Appendix 75-A baseline, which is fairly restrictive for indoor reuse. Not confirmed whether any town adds flexibility.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rainwater harvesting rule was found; assume the New York State baseline (generally permitted for non-potable use) applies without local modification. Not confirmed at town level.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells are generally permitted, with the county Public Health Department's Environmental Division handling well-water quality oversight. Drilling still requires a DEC-registered well driller under state rules; no added county permit was confirmed. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo countywide mandate requiring grid or municipal utility connection was found. Whether a home can be certified as habitable off-grid depends on the applying town's zoning code and how the Uniform Code is applied during permit review. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.4 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.5 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,213 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 39 in/yr
Snowfall: 83 in/yr
Heating degree days: 7,193 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 30 to Oct 10

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital UHS Wilson Medical Center: 17.7 mi
Fire station Oxford Fire Station: 11.8 mi
Hardware store Rapp Signs (service): 4.5 mi
Grocery Gregg's Market Place: 10.5 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 13778).

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.