Off-grid site report
Delta County, CO
38.7454, -108.0711 · 4,967 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Delta County, CO, 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 rulesDelta County, CO
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedDelta County has countywide zoning under its Land Use Code (effective April 2021), setting minimum lot sizes from small urban-growth lots up to 35+ acre A-35 parcels. This applies only in unincorporated areas; incorporated towns like the City of Delta set their own zoning. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedRVs may only be occupied temporarily while a permanent home is under active construction, per the county Land Use Code. Permanent tiny homes go through the state Division of Housing's manufactured/tiny home program rather than a county building code. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyDelta County has not adopted a general building code for unincorporated areas, so most structures need no building permit, but the Highway 92 and Highway 50 South Overlay Districts require permits under the 2003 International Building Code per county resolutions. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedAny structure with a restroom or sewer drain needs a septic/OWTS permit through Delta County Environmental Health Services, following state Regulation No. 43, with two required inspections before occupancy. source
Greywater reuse
Largely prohibitedDelta County does not allow greywater systems at all; all wastewater must go to septic or sewer, which is stricter than the state's opt-in greywater program. source
Rainwater harvesting
RestrictedThe county follows the statewide Colorado rule allowing up to two rain barrels (110 gallons combined) per household for outdoor irrigation, not drinking. source
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedWells are permitted by the state, through the Colorado Division of Water Resources' Montrose field office, not the county; new wells may also need a water sample submitted to the county Health Department. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedThe county imposes no grid-connection mandate and does not require a building permit for residential solar installations in unincorporated areas, though state electrical inspections still apply. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.3 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,662 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 8 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,017 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- May 1 to Oct 8
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Mind Springs Health - 33.4 mi
- Fire station
Olathe Fire District - Pea Green - 6.7 mi
- Hardware store
Delta Hardware - 0.3 mi
- Grocery
City Market - 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 81416).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Delta County, CO?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.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.