Off-grid site report

Lenawee County, MI

41.8747, -84.0319 · 791 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Lenawee County, MI, 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 rulesLenawee County, MI

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyLenawee County has no countywide zoning ordinance; each township and city (Madison, Woodstock, Adrian, Tecumseh, etc.) adopts its own zoning under the state Zoning Enabling Act. The county Planning Commission only reviews/coordinates, it does not control land use directly. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo Lenawee County-specific rule for tiny homes or RVs was confirmed; this is set by the local township or city building department under the statewide Michigan Residential Code (which has no Appendix Q). source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedThe county explicitly says building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and zoning questions go to the municipality where the property sits; the state's LARA Bureau of Construction Codes backstops areas without a certified local building department. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedThe Lenawee County Health Department issues construction permits for on-site sewage systems up to a set wastewater volume, with site evaluation for soil, water table, and setbacks required first; composting toilets aren't specifically addressed, so ask LCHD directly. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Lenawee-specific greywater ordinance or health department guidance was found; this defaults to the state plumbing/residential code baseline.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific restriction or program on rainwater harvesting was found; this defaults to the state baseline.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedThe Lenawee County Health Department issues well construction permits and requires site evaluation and a water sample before approval, for both single-family wells and larger wells serving public-use facilities. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo explicit county ban on full utility disconnection was found, but site-plan submissions to the county are expected to show an approved well and septic (or equivalent) system before a dwelling is approved. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.5 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.5 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,306 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 36 in/yr
Snowfall: 28 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,759 (cold)
Frost-free season: May 2 to Oct 9

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital: 6.4 mi
Fire station Madison Township Fire Department: 1.2 mi
Hardware store Lowe's: 0.1 mi
Grocery Walmart Supercenter: 0.1 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 49221).

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.