Off-grid site report
Chelan County, WA
47.4181, -120.3042 · 659 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Chelan County, WA, 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 rulesChelan County, WA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyChelan County has adopted countywide zoning under its Comprehensive Plan; permitted uses depend on the specific zone (e.g., Rural Residential/Resource districts). Contact Community Development to confirm your parcel's zoning. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Generally allowedTiny houses, park model RVs, manufactured homes, and yurts are allowed as permanent dwellings under state code (Appendix Q, L&I rules), but each needs a county placement permit verifying setbacks and utilities.
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe county Building Division administers state building, residential, mechanical, fire, plumbing and energy codes, plus FEMA floodplain rules; occupancy requires proof of water availability and final septic approval. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedOn-site septic systems are permitted and inspected by the Chelan-Douglas Health District, which reviews land-use applications referred from county Planning. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Chelan County-specific greywater ordinance was confirmed; the statewide WAC standard likely applies. Confirm specifics with the Chelan-Douglas Health District. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on rooftop rainwater harvesting was found in county water program materials. Confirm with Community Development or Natural Resources before installing a system. source
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyBeyond the state's permit-exempt well framework, Chelan County requires a Water Mitigation Certificate for new dwellings in the Entiat, Lake Chelan, and Wenatchee basins, with exemptions for replacement dwellings or approved public water hookups. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county ban on full utility disconnection exists, but occupancy requires a water availability letter and final septic approval, so off-grid systems must pass those reviews rather than being automatically permitted or barred.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 1.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,337 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 9 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 16 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,444 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 5 to Oct 28
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Central Washington Hospital - 1.2 mi
- Fire station
Chelan County Fire District 1 Station 10 - 0.4 mi
- Hardware store
Columbia River Interiors - 0.8 mi
- Grocery
Tienda Mexicana - 0.4 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 98807).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Chelan County, WA?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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.