Off-grid site report
Washington County, MN
44.8185, -92.9417 · 810 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Washington County, MN, 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 rulesWashington County, MN
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyWashington County zoning applies only in unincorporated townships and requires at least one contiguous acre of buildable land for unsewered parcels, generally one principal structure per parcel. Incorporated cities and some townships set their own zoning entirely, so confirm jurisdiction first. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedThe county's Development Code explicitly prohibits using an RV, trailer, garage, cellar, or unfinished basement as a permanent dwelling unit. Tiny homes on permanent foundations aren't directly addressed, so check with the county or local city/township. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyThe county does not issue building permits; the city or township where the property is located handles that. The county's own permit role is limited to septic and access/driveway permits. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedWashington County's Public Health and Environment Department administers the state-mandated SSTS program, including design standards and installer licensing, plus required inspections at property transfer for older systems. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county greywater ordinance was found; greywater is likely handled as part of SSTS design review by Public Health and Environment. Ask that office directly for specifics.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Washington County-specific rainwater harvesting rule was found, so this likely defaults to the state baseline treatment of outdoor barrels versus plumbed indoor systems. Not confirmed at the county level.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are governed by the Minnesota Department of Health's statewide Well Code; the county's role appears mainly in requiring well sealing when replacement or hookup funding is involved. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo explicit county ordinance requires connection to grid utilities, but any permanent dwelling still must meet septic and building code requirements regardless of grid status. City or township rules may add further requirements not captured here. source
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
- 1,349 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 31 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,861 (severe)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
M Health West Bank Emergency Department - 17.8 mi
- Fire station
South Metro Fire Station #2 - 6.9 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 1.6 mi
- Grocery
Cub Foods - 6.1 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 55016).
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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.