Off-grid site report
Placer County, CA
38.7458, -121.2549 · 194 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Placer County, CA, 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 rulesPlacer County, CA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedPlacer County has countywide zoning under Title 17; dwellings must fit an allowed use in the applicable zone district's permit tables, per the Planning Services Division. Raw-land occupancy without an approved dwelling isn't a recognized use. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyThe county's 2022 moveable tiny house ordinance allows tiny homes as an ADU or primary dwelling with a Zoning Clearance in several zones, requiring DMV licensing, an assigned address, and a building permit; standalone RVs used as permanent housing are more restricted. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe Placer County Building Services Division administers Title 24 and local amendments; permits are generally required for permanent dwellings including moveable tiny homes. Confirm specifics with the Building Department. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedPlacer County Environmental Health, as LAMP administrator, requires all wastewater to go to an approved sewage disposal system; soils testing determines system type and siting. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedPer Placer County Environmental Health's FAQ, all wastewater including greywater must be discharged to an approved sewage disposal system, which is stricter than the state's general greywater-reuse allowance. Confirm current practice directly with the county, as this may be under revision. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Placer County-specific restriction on rooftop rainwater collection was found; this appears to follow the state baseline. County documents mention rainwater only regarding keeping it away from septic leach fields.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedPlacer County Environmental Health issues well permits and enforces state well-construction standards (DWR Bulletin 74), and won't sign off on building permits or occupancy if undocumented abandoned wells exist on the property. Roseville handles its own well permitting separately from the county. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyThere's no standalone county ordinance on full utility disconnection, but septic and tiny-house address requirements functionally push toward utility-adjacent compliance; ask Planning and Environmental Health directly about a specific off-grid setup. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.2 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,588 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 37 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 1 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,895 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Feb 15 to Dec 9
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Shriners Hospitals for Children - Northern California - 17.2 mi
- Fire station
Sacramento Metro Fire Station Number 27 - 3.2 mi
- Hardware store
HD Supply Home Improvement Solutions - 4.7 mi
- Grocery
Sprouts Farmers Market - 0.3 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 95661).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Placer County, CA?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.
Check a parcel →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.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.