Off-grid site report
Larimer County, CO
40.5216, -105.0607 · 5,010 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Larimer County, CO, 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 rulesLarimer County, CO
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyLarimer County's Land Use Code sets rural zone districts like RR-1/RR-2 with agricultural and rural residential uses, but subdivision below 35 acres is tightly restricted to the Rural Land Use Process or standard subdivision with public water/sewer. Check with the Planning Division for your specific parcel and zone district. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedA tiny house on a permanent foundation is a legal dwelling requiring a building permit; a tiny house on wheels is classified as an RV under the Land Use Code and can't be occupied year-round on a vacant lot. County guidance says this may change as the state develops its own tiny-home rules under HB22-1242. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedLarimer County requires a building permit and International Residential Code compliance for permanent structures; Accessory Living Area permits no longer need a pre-review planning step following a 2024 state law, but Planning still checks applications against the Land Use Code. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe Larimer County Department of Health and Environment requires an OWTS permit for any septic system, including composting toilets and vaulted privies, and mandates a soil test before applying. Straight-piping waste to the ground is explicitly prohibited by county regulation. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedThe county's OWTS materials treat greywater as a wastewater concern subject to the same permitting framework, but a distinct standalone local greywater permit track isn't confirmed. Contact LCDHE directly to confirm current practice for your setup. source
Rainwater harvesting
RestrictedRainwater collection in Larimer County is governed entirely by the state, not the county; the Colorado Division of Water Resources ties collection permits to well status and limits use to non-drinking outdoor purposes. source
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedWells are permitted exclusively by the state's Division of Water Resources, not the county; most household wells are 'exempt' wells capped at 15 gallons per minute by the State Engineer, and the county's Land Use Code ties lot-size and subdivision rules to this state framework. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo Larimer County ordinance mandating grid or municipal water hookup was found, consistent with the lack of a statewide mandate, but any permanent dwelling still needs a building permit and approved wastewater system regardless of grid status. Confirm parcel-specific requirements with the Building Division. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.1 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,513 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 15 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 47 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,393 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- May 3 to Oct 4
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Banner Fort Collins Medical Center - 2.7 mi
- Fire station
Poudre Fire Authority Station 5 - 0.6 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 0.0 mi
- Grocery
Safeway - 0.5 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 80525).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Larimer County, CO?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.