Off-grid site report

Chase County, NE

40.5650, -101.8205 · 3,399 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Chase County, NE, 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 rulesChase County, NE

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyChase County is a zoned county per the Nebraska Association of County Officials, and it has published zoning regulations covering setbacks, permits, and conditional use for various land uses. Whether bare raw-land occupancy (tent, yurt, vehicle without a permanent dwelling) is allowed isn't confirmed in the available text, so check directly with Chase County Planning and Zoning. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyState law says a county can't ban a manufactured home solely for being manufactured if it carries the proper HUD/Uniform Standard Code seal, but Chase County can still require the same foundation, utility, setback, and size standards as site-built homes, plus skirting. Exact minimum square footage or RV-as-residence rules specific to Chase County aren't confirmed, so verify with the county's Planning and Zoning office. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyChase County's Planning and Zoning office reviews and issues permits for structures like solar systems and requires electrical inspection before use, but I could not confirm which edition of the IRC/IBC the county has formally adopted. Ask the Chase County Planning and Zoning office for the specific code in force. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedSeptic systems statewide fall under Nebraska's NDEE Onsite Wastewater Program, which sets design standards, certifies installers, and requires registration for new or modified systems. Chase County doesn't appear to run its own separate septic permitting office, so it likely flows through the state process, though it's not confirmed whether the county layers on any additional local requirement. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Chase County-specific greywater ordinance turned up in research; greywater reuse would fall under the same state NDEE onsite wastewater permitting framework that covers septic systems. It's not confirmed whether the county has any separate local rule. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyI didn't find any Chase County or Nebraska state rule that prohibits or specifically regulates rainwater harvesting. This is not confirmed either way, so I'd suggest asking Chase County Planning and Zoning if you plan a large-scale catchment system.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedGroundwater in Chase County is managed by the Upper Republican Natural Resources District (URNRD), not the county government. The District requires permits for all new and replacement wells (except domestic and range livestock wells), has a history of strict controls including allocation cuts and a past well-drilling moratorium, and monitors nitrate levels; well construction must also meet state DHHS standards.
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo blanket Chase County ordinance requiring hookup to grid power or municipal sewer was found, so living disconnected appears possible in principle, but you'd still need to satisfy state septic permitting through NDEE and well permitting through URNRD. It's not confirmed whether the county has any additional utility-connection mandate, so check with Chase County Planning and Zoning to be sure. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
5.6 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
3.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,592 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
20 in/yr
Snowfall
30 in/yr
Heating degree days
6,630 (cold)
Frost-free season
May 5 to Oct 2

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Chase County Community Hospital
9.4 mi
Fire station
none within range
Hardware store
none within range
Grocery
Imperial Super Foods
9.8 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 69023).

Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt

Share or save this report:New report

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.