Off-grid site report
Shasta County, CA
40.5930, -122.4721 · 932 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Shasta County, CA, 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 rulesShasta County, CA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedShasta County has countywide zoning under Title 17 of the County Code, administered by the Planning Division. Allowed density and dwelling rights vary sharply by zone district, so raw land can't simply be occupied without checking the applicable district's rules. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedThe Shasta County Building Division treats RVs as habitable only within licensed RV parks with a permit, and site-built or tiny homes must meet foundation, fire sprinkler, and minimum size standards under state building code provisions. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe county's Building Division, part of the Department of Resource Management, issues permits and enforces state building codes, and also handles code enforcement for structures affecting life, safety, and property. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedShasta County's Environmental Health Division requires a permit for new or replacement septic (OWTS) systems and operates its own state-approved Local Agency Management Program. A standalone composting toilet without an approved wastewater system is not confirmed as acceptable for a permanent residence; ask EHD. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo Shasta County-specific greywater ordinance was found beyond the state Plumbing Code Chapter 15 baseline; whether EHD requires extra permitting for larger systems is not confirmed.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedRooftop rainwater harvesting appears governed by state law (the Rainwater Capture Act and Water Code provisions) with no Shasta-specific restriction found.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedShasta County's Environmental Health Division requires permits for well drilling, deepening, repair, or destruction, and work must be done by a licensed C-57 driller following state well construction standards. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyThere's no standalone Shasta County ordinance that explicitly authorizes or bans living off the utility grid; it's regulated indirectly through building, septic/well, and zoning permitting instead.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.4 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.2 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,475 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 66 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 3 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,892 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Feb 18 to Dec 13
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Mercy Medical Center Redding - 4.3 mi
- Fire station
Cal Fire Station #58 - 0.5 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 3.6 mi
- Grocery
Grocery Outlet - 2.5 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 96087).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Shasta County, CA?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 22, 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.