Off-grid site report

Todd County, MN

45.8983, -94.8742 · 1,319 ft elevation

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

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedTodd County has countywide zoning administered by its Planning & Zoning Office, including rural district standards and a Primitive Dwelling Certification process, so raw land occupancy is regulated, not a free-for-all. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyThe county lists a Primitive Dwelling Certification, implying a formal path for minimal or non-standard dwellings, but specific size or RV-eligibility standards weren't found; confirm with Planning & Zoning. source

Building permits & codes

Unclear - verifyMinnesota only mandates the State Building Code in the seven-county metro area; whether Todd County or its towns have opted in elsewhere is not confirmed. Ask Todd County Planning & Zoning directly. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedTodd County administers its own SSTS ordinance, which by Minnesota law must be at least as strict as state MPCA rules, and any state-licensed designer or installer can do the work here. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo separate Todd County greywater ordinance was found; it likely lives inside the SSTS ordinance text. Ask Planning & Zoning for the septic forms and greywater specifics.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Todd County ordinance on rainwater catchment was found. Indoor plumbed systems would fall under the statewide plumbing code regardless of county; no added county restriction is confirmed.

Private wells & water rights

Varies locallyWells are permitted statewide through the Minnesota Department of Health, and counties generally can't add requirements, but Todd County contains a Long Prairie Special Well Construction Area where MDH requires written plan approval before new well construction or modification. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo Todd County ordinance was found requiring grid hookup or explicitly permitting off-grid disconnection; the primitive dwelling certification suggests some accommodation, but this isn't confirmed. Ask Planning & Zoning.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.6 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.7 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,361 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 30 in/yr
Snowfall: 51 in/yr
Heating degree days: 9,158 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 14 to Sep 24

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital CentraCare Health - Long Prairie: 5.4 mi
Fire station Long Prairie Fire Dept: 4.6 mi
Hardware store Long Prairie Fleet Supply: 4.1 mi
Grocery Coborn's Superstore: 4.6 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 56347).

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.