Off-grid site report
Union County, OH
40.2309, -83.3429Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Union County, OH, 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 rulesUnion County, OH
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyUnion County has no countywide zoning; each township (e.g. Jerome, Allen) or municipality (e.g. Marysville) sets its own zoning resolution under state law. Contact your specific township zoning inspector. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyManufactured/HUD homes follow Ohio Department of Commerce rules with placement inspections by the county Building Department. Tiny home and RV occupancy standards are set township by township, not confirmed countywide. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe Union County Building Department handles building permits and plan review countywide, including for the City of Marysville. A township zoning inspector may exempt agricultural buildings under state law (ORC 3781.061). source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Union County Health Department permits and inspects household sewage treatment systems under state rules, and the county Board of Health has adopted a five-year permit renewal cycle. Composting toilets are not addressed on county pages.
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific greywater policy was found; the state framework likely applies by default. Confirm with the Union County Health Department before installing a system.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedRainwater collection for drinking purposes is treated as a private water system by the Union County Health Department, which oversees wells, cisterns, and similar sources. No separate rainwater-only rule was found.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe Union County Health Department permits and inspects new private water systems, alterations, and decommissioning under state administrative rules; an application must be filed before drilling or altering a well.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Union County or township rule was found explicitly banning or permitting full utility disconnection, but any occupied dwelling and its water/septic systems still must satisfy standard Building Department and Health Department permitting.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,320 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 38 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 22 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,625 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 19 to Oct 22
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
OhioHealth Emergency Care - Hilliard - 18.2 mi
- Fire station
Marysville Fire Division Station 272 - 1.3 mi
- Hardware store
The Home Depot - 0.2 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 0.2 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 43041).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Union County, OH?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
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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 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.