Off-grid site report
Montgomery County, OH
39.7639, -84.1809Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Montgomery County, OH, 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 rulesMontgomery County, OH
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyMontgomery County has no countywide zoning ordinance; the County Planning Commission only advises and handles platting for unincorporated land, while actual zoning authority (allowed uses, lot sizes, setbacks) rests with each township, city, or village. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county-level rule addresses tiny homes or RV occupancy; zoning and use permits for dwellings are issued by the township, city, or village where the parcel sits, so this must be checked locally.
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyMontgomery County Business Services (Building Regulations) enforces building codes for townships and several cities/villages, but some cities like Dayton or Kettering may self-administer; township/municipal zoning approval is required before a county building permit can be issued. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedPublic Health - Dayton & Montgomery County issues Household Sewage Treatment System permits under statewide Ohio Administrative Code 3701-29 and runs an Operation & Maintenance program; composting toilets were not separately addressed and likely fall under the same framework. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedGreywater recycling is covered under Ohio's statewide 2015 sewage treatment system rules (OAC 3701-29), enforced locally by Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County, which can adjust for local soil/site conditions; no county-specific addition beyond the state framework was confirmed.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Montgomery County-specific rainwater harvesting rule was found; it appears to fall under the state's private water system rules for cisterns, but this is not confirmed at the county level.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPublic Health - Dayton & Montgomery County's Private Water System Program requires a permit for new wells or upgrades/alterations (not for minor repairs); an old well kept alongside county water service must meet current standards or be properly sealed.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Montgomery County ordinance was found requiring hookup to electric, water, or sewer for occupancy; habitability still depends on meeting applicable building code and, where present, septic/O&M permit requirements.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,335 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 40 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 12 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,247 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 11 to Oct 31
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Grandview Medical Center - 1.2 mi
- Fire station
Oakwood Fire - 2.9 mi
- Hardware store
Greive Hardware - 5.5 mi
- Grocery
Stop-N-Save Foods - 0.7 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 45412).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
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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.