Off-grid site report

Gilmer County, WV

38.8770, -80.7057 · 728 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Gilmer County, WV, 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 rulesGilmer County, WV

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyI couldn't find any official Gilmer County, WV zoning ordinance or planning commission page, and West Virginia counties aren't required to zone under the state Land Use Planning Act, so it's likely Gilmer County has no countywide zoning. The Town of Glenville does have its own municipal code, so if your land is inside town limits, check there. For anything outside Glenville, call the County Clerk or Assessor to confirm there's truly no zoning in play. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyI found no Gilmer County ordinance addressing tiny homes, RVs, or minimum dwelling sizes. Since there doesn't appear to be countywide zoning, this may fall outside any specific rule, but I'd confirm with the Assessor's Office or Glenville town offices if you're near town limits.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyI didn't find a dedicated Gilmer County building code or building department page. The Assessor's Office references building permits in the context of property tax notices, which suggests some permitting activity exists, but I can't confirm the actual authority or process, so ask the Assessor's Office directly. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Gilmer County Health Department administers on-site sewage system permits (using the SG-49 application) for anyone without access to public sewer, including soil and percolation testing before a permit is issued. Composting toilets aren't addressed separately on their page, so I'd call and ask how those are treated. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyI found no Gilmer County-specific greywater policy. It likely falls under the same sewage design approval process run by the county Health Department, but that's not spelled out anywhere I could find, so confirm directly with them before setting up a greywater system.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedI didn't find any Gilmer County ordinance restricting rainwater collection, and nothing contradicts the general West Virginia position of allowing non-potable rainwater harvesting without extra permitting.
Private wells & water rights
Unclear - verifyI couldn't locate a Gilmer County-specific well permitting page. Wells in West Virginia are certified through the state's Bureau for Public Health Water Well Certification Program, and the county Health Department is likely your local point of contact, so I'd start there.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyI found no Gilmer County ordinance requiring hookup to public utilities. Off-grid living here appears to hinge mainly on health department compliance for septic and well rather than a specific utility mandate, but this isn't confirmed either way, so check with the county if you're planning to go fully disconnected.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
4.3 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
2.5 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,185 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
46 in/yr
Snowfall
22 in/yr
Heating degree days
4,988 (moderate)
Frost-free season
Apr 27 to Oct 21

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Braxton County Memorial Hospital
15.1 mi
Fire station
Burnsville VFD
2.9 mi
Hardware store
Riverside Farm Supply
6.5 mi
Grocery
Foodland
7.4 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 26615).

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.