Off-grid site report

Lincoln County, MT

48.3161, -115.6729 · 7,497 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Lincoln County, MT, 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 rulesLincoln County, MT

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyLincoln County Planning administers land-use planning for the county and the towns of Troy, Eureka, and Rexford, but whether one zoning resolution covers all unincorporated land, versus only petitioned districts under Montana law, was not confirmed. Confirm parcel-specific zoning directly with Planning. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo Lincoln County-specific rule on tiny homes or RV occupancy was found; Planning references the county's Growth Policy and applicable zoning, which should be checked per parcel. source

Building permits & codes

Unclear - verifyNo official Lincoln County building-department page or locally-adopted code was confirmed; the state baseline may apply, under which single-family homes can be exempt from state permit jurisdiction unless the county has opted in. Verify with County Planning. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Lincoln County Health Department requires a local wastewater/septic permit before any system is installed and licenses installers separately from the state; applications require a percolation test and soil profile. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Lincoln County-specific greywater ordinance was found; the Health Department's general wastewater review authority likely applies, alongside the state's more restrictive DEQ baseline. Ask the Health Department directly. source

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Lincoln County ordinance addressing rainwater harvesting was found, so the generally permissive state baseline for basic non-potable rooftop collection likely applies.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells fall under Montana's state exempt-well framework administered by DNRC; Lincoln County's Health Department separately monitors water quality and offers well test kits for a fee. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo Lincoln County ordinance explicitly requires or bans grid disconnection for a private home, but county health and subdivision rules about approved water and sanitation may indirectly apply regardless of grid status. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.2 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 1.6 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,146 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 18 in/yr
Snowfall: 45 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,910 (cold)
Frost-free season: May 27 to Sep 17

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital: none within range
Fire station Lincoln County Station 3: 7.0 mi
Hardware store TBC Timber Inc: 7.3 mi
Grocery Rosauers: 7.2 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 59923).

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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.