Off-grid site report
Powhatan County, VA
37.5427, -77.9269 · 361 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Powhatan County, VA, 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 rulesPowhatan County, VA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedPowhatan County has its own countywide Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 83) administered by Planning & Zoning, with district-specific setbacks and use rules. Raw land occupancy is regulated; most new development beyond agriculture or a single-family home needs site plan approval. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyAccessory dwelling units are explicitly regulated with size and setback rules varying by zoning district; tiny houses on wheels are not clearly classified locally and need direct confirmation from Planning & Zoning. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe county's Community Development Department enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code; permits require VDOT approval, erosion control agreements, and proof of well/septic permitting from VDH. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems require a permit from the Virginia Department of Health via the Powhatan Health Department (Chesterfield Health District) before the county issues a building permit. Composting toilets are not separately addressed locally and fall under the state VDH baseline. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Powhatan-specific greywater ordinance was found; this defers to the state Board of Health's general rules administered by the local Health Department, not confirmed at the county level.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance or health department guidance specific to rainwater harvesting was located; the state's general rain-barrel exemption and VDH thresholds for larger systems would apply by default, not confirmed locally.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted through VDH via the Powhatan Health Department, and since 2019 applications generally require a licensed private-sector consultant through DPOR to assist with siting and design.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo ordinance mandating grid electric hookup was found, but occupancy is functionally gated by the county's building permit process requiring approved well/septic and final health approval. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.5 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,354 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 45 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,393 (moderate)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Henrico Doctors' Hospital - 21.5 mi
- Fire station
Powhatan County Fire Department Administration - 0.4 mi
- Hardware store
Pleasants Hardware - 7.7 mi
- Grocery
Food Lion - 2.3 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 23139).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Powhatan County, VA?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.