Off-grid site report

Catron County, NM

33.8189, -108.9545 · 7,067 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Catron County, NM, 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 rulesCatron County, NM

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Unclear - verifyNo comprehensive countywide zoning-district code was found on the county's own site; published ordinances cover environmental planning review and a 2007 capital improvement plan, not detailed zoning. About 75% of the county is federal land the county cannot regulate. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo official Catron County page on tiny homes or RV occupancy was found; absent local rules, the state's CID minimum codes and IRC Appendix Q would be the default baseline. Confirm with county planning.

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyNew Mexico's Construction Industries Division (CID) sets statewide minimum building codes referenced for Catron County permits; no distinct county building code text was found. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedRegulated by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) statewide since Catron County has no separate ordinance. Homeowners may self-install after passing an NMED qualification exam at a local Field Office. source

Greywater reuse

Generally allowedSmall residential greywater systems are allowed without a permit under NMED's statewide rule (20.7.3.810 NMAC); no Catron County amendment found. source

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Catron County ordinance restricts rainwater harvesting; the state Office of the State Engineer generally encourages residential rooftop harvesting.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedThe Office of the State Engineer directly regulates wells and water rights in Catron County and maintains an active subdivision-review relationship there; permits go through the OSE district office over the relevant groundwater basin. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo county or state statute mandating utility hookup was found; presumed unregulated given the rural, mostly federal-land character of the county, but confirm with county planning for any subdivision covenants.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 6.2 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 5.3 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,763 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 18 in/yr
Snowfall: 17 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,465 (cold)

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital White Mountain Regional Medical Center: 28.7 mi
Fire station Luna Volunteer Fire Department & EMS: 0.1 mi
Hardware store Mountain Hardware: 11.1 mi
Grocery Alpine Country Store: 11.1 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 87824).

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.