Off-grid site report
Henrico County, VA
37.5287, -77.3605 · 151 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Henrico County, VA, 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 rulesHenrico County, VA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedHenrico County has full countywide zoning under its Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 24), with district-by-district permitted uses and several overlay districts, so you can't just occupy raw land without a compliant use and, for a dwelling, a building permit. Check with Henrico County Planning for your specific parcel's district and overlay status. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedHenrico allows small accessory dwelling units by right, but only attached to an existing single-family home and capped in size, and standalone tiny houses on wheels are generally treated as RVs, not permanent dwellings. The exact RV-as-ADU exclusion isn't confirmed directly in the county's own ordinance text, so I'd confirm specifics with Henrico Planning before you build. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedHenrico administers Virginia's statewide building code locally, so permits and inspections are required for dwellings and most accessory structures, with siting rules for things like rear-yard placement and setbacks from other buildings and lot lines. Confirm exact thresholds and siting requirements with Henrico County Planning/Building Inspections. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Henrico Health Department, a local VDH office, issues sewage disposal permits, and because the whole county sits in the Chesapeake Bay watershed there are added maintenance duties, like periodic septic pump-outs in Bay Preservation Areas and scheduled visits for alternative treatment systems. Composting-type alternative systems fall under this same permit process, so start with the Health Department. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyI couldn't find a Henrico-specific greywater ordinance; the county appears to simply defer to the state Board of Health/VDH rules. If you're planning a greywater system, I'd confirm current requirements with the Henrico Health Department or VDH directly.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedHenrico's own Environmental Compliance/Stormwater Management guidance treats rainwater harvesting as an approved stormwater practice, in line with the state baseline, though larger systems tied to new construction or land disturbance may trigger county stormwater (VSMP) or Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act review. Check with Henrico Public Works Engineering & Environmental Services if your project involves land disturbance.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted and administered by the Henrico Health Department, a local VDH office, under the same application as septic permits. Since 2019 state rules also require a licensed private-sector consultant's supporting work on new well and septic applications, so factor that into your planning. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Henrico ordinance explicitly requires grid electric connection, and full off-grid living isn't expressly prohibited, but you'd still need to satisfy county zoning, building code, and Health Department well/septic approval before you could get an occupancy certificate. Much of the county is on public water and sewer, with septic mostly in western and rural areas, so I'd confirm feasibility for your specific parcel with Henrico Planning and the Health Department early on.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,384 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 44 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 10 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 3,771 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 4 to Nov 4
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Select Specialty Hospital - 8.3 mi
- Fire station
Phillip Morris Emergency Response Team - 5.5 mi
- Hardware store
Taylor's Do-It Center - 0.8 mi
- Grocery
Food Lion - 1.8 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 23250).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Henrico County, VA?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.