Off-grid site report

Clay County, MN

46.8770, -96.7249 · 902 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Clay County, MN, 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 rulesClay County, MN

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyClay County Planning and Zoning administers zoning for unincorporated land, including Shoreland districts; each of the 11 incorporated cities runs its own zoning within city limits. Check the parcel on the county's zoning map or call Planning and Zoning. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyManufactured homes as single-family residences are allowed in districts permitting single-family homes (manufactured home parks are not permitted), per the county's Land Development Ordinance. Tiny homes and RVs as permanent dwellings are not addressed in county text reviewed, so that's unclear, confirm with Planning and Zoning. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedClay County Planning and Zoning issues building permits for construction outside city limits; incorporated cities issue their own. A separate Land Alteration Permit applies for larger earth-moving projects. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted and regulated through the county's SSTS Ordinance, which implements Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Chapter 7080 standards; homeowners may self-install standard systems (not mounds or alternative systems), and certification is required in Shoreland zones or for bedroom additions. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo standalone county greywater ordinance was found; it likely falls under the SSTS framework administered under MPCA Chapter 7080. Ask Clay County Environmental Health or Planning and Zoning directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Clay County-specific rainwater ordinance was found in official sources reviewed; outdoor collection is generally unregulated at the state baseline, but this is not confirmed for the county.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWells are regulated by the state through the Minnesota Department of Health's Well Code, not the county; the county enforces a 3-foot building-to-well setback and runs an Abandoned Well Sealing Program through the Soil and Water Conservation District. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance was found that requires or prohibits grid disconnection for a habitable dwelling outside city limits; confirm directly with Clay County Planning and Zoning.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.5 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.4 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,308 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 25 in/yr
Snowfall: 58 in/yr
Heating degree days: 8,739 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 3 to Oct 2

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Essentia Health-Fargo: 5.8 mi
Fire station Fire Station 1: 1.7 mi
Hardware store Menards: 1.9 mi
Grocery Cash Wise Foods: 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 56529).

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.