Off-grid site report

Clackamas County, OR

45.3987, -122.7236 · 154 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Clackamas County, OR, 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 rulesClackamas County, OR

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyClackamas County administers its own Zoning and Development Ordinance (ZDO) for unincorporated land; incorporated cities within the county set their own rules instead. Use the county's cmap.clackamas.us tool to check your parcel's zone. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedRVs as a primary residence have historically been prohibited except in limited cases (like temporary living while building), and RVs as a second dwelling are only allowed in specific zones with water, wastewater, and electrical hookups. Tiny homes on wheels do not qualify as ADUs under county rules. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedThe county issues its own building permits under Oregon's statewide specialty codes, including a dedicated Renewable Electrical Energy Permit for solar, wind, or geothermal systems, and solar is allowed as an accessory use in all zones if sized to the property's own consumption. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedThe county's Septic and Onsite Wastewater Program requires a site evaluation before most septic permits, operating under state DEQ authority, with a rough lot-size guideline of about one acre with public water or two acres on a well. Composting toilets as a standalone solution are not clearly addressed, so confirm directly with the office. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Clackamas County-specific greywater ordinance or guidance page was found; this likely defaults to the state DEQ program, but that's not confirmed, so check with the county before assuming state rules alone apply.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rainwater harvesting rule was found in official sources; presumed to follow the state baseline, but not confirmed.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells fall under state authority, specifically the Oregon Water Resources Department's District 20 Watermaster, and are not routinely tested by any agency. A special sub-area, Petes Mountain, has additional state well-construction standards. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyLiving off-grid is permitted in principle, but the county requires proof of approved water and wastewater connections for RV and dwelling permits and for developments needing water service; there's no explicit county statement allowing full utility disconnection beyond that. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 3.9 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 1.5 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,088 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 41 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,447 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 5 to Nov 6

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Oregon State Hospital: 34.6 mi
Fire station TVFR Training Center: 5.4 mi
Hardware store Keller Kitchen & Bath: 0.6 mi
Grocery Trader Joe's: 3.5 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 97035).

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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.