Off-grid site report

Steele County, ND

47.3243, -97.7184 · 1,224 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Steele County, ND, 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 rulesSteele County, ND

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallySteele County's Tax Equalization office states the county is not involved in zoning and directs inquiries to the township or incorporated city where the land sits. The county does control subdivision platting through its Subdivision Ordinance and Planning Commission. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo Steele County ordinance on minimum dwelling size, tiny homes, or RV occupancy was found; this is likely a township or city matter, so confirm locally.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedSteele County requires a building permit under its own Building Permit Ordinance, and permits are withheld until land meets Subdivision Ordinance requirements. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSteele County Public Health issues local septic permits, and the state Septic Systems Program (NDCC 23.1-07.1) requires installers to also hold a state license. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Steele County or state page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; confirm with Steele County Public Health since it likely falls under the same onsite wastewater permitting process.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Steele County ordinance restricting rainwater harvesting was found; state baseline appears to allow it, but check with the county Building Permit office for storage structures.

Private wells & water rights

Varies locallySteele County's Water Resource District only handles drainage, dams/dikes, and abandoned well plugging, not domestic well permitting; the state Department of Water Resources handles well construction and conditional water permits for larger uses. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo Steele County ordinance mandating utility connection was found; this appears more likely to be a municipal matter, so confirm with the relevant township or city.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.6 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.6 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,356 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 20 in/yr
Snowfall: 32 in/yr
Heating degree days: 9,476 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 10 to Sep 23

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Sanford Mayville Medical Center: 22.4 mi
Fire station: none within range
Hardware store Hardware Hank: 22.0 mi
Grocery Miller's Fresh Foods: 22.0 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 58046).

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.