Off-grid site report
Onslow County, NC
34.5502, -77.4351 · 39 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Onslow County, NC, 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 rulesOnslow County, NC
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedOnslow County has countywide zoning administered by the Planning and Development Department, requiring a Zoning Permit for new construction, additions, and changes of use; allowed uses vary by district. Raw land occupancy without an approved structure isn't addressed as its own category. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedManufactured homes are permitted if they meet NC Building Code standards and have towing apparatus removed, but RV parks must provide connected water/wastewater or bathhouse facilities, meaning off-grid RV living in a licensed park isn't allowed by design. Standalone off-grid RV or tiny home use on a private lot isn't confirmed in county sources. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe state building code is enforced locally through Onslow County's Building Inspections/Permitting office, and a Certificate of Occupancy requires an approved wastewater connection or septic Operations Permit before final inspections are scheduled. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems require a three-step process (Improvement Permit, Construction Authorization, Operation Permit) through the county Health Department's Environmental Health Division, with soil evaluation and setbacks from property lines and dwellings required. Composting toilets as an alternative aren't separately addressed at the county level. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Onslow County-specific greywater ordinance or guidance page was found; the state DEQ/DHHS framework governs by default. Ask county Environmental Health for how this applies locally.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricts or specifically regulates rainwater harvesting; state law governs and isn't contradicted locally per available sources.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are sited, permitted, and sampled through the county Health Department's Environmental Health Section, with a site plan required. Onslow is also part of the state's Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area, adding a state-level water withdrawal permit layer mainly aimed at larger withdrawals. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo ordinance explicitly bans off-grid utility disconnection, but the county's permitting chain requires an approved wastewater solution before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued, functionally restricting full disconnection. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.2 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.3 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,477 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 56 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 1 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,560 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 23 to Nov 15
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune - 12.6 mi
- Fire station
Turkey Creek Fire & Rescue Station 2 - 1.9 mi
- Hardware store
Guy C. Lee Building Materials - 0.0 mi
- Grocery
Food Lion - 1.6 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 28460).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Onslow County, NC?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.