Off-grid site report
Greene County, VA
38.2052, -78.3992 · 640 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Greene 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 rulesGreene County, VA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedGreene County has a countywide Zoning Ordinance (adopted 1975, amended since) administered by the Department of Planning & Zoning. Each district has its own setback and lot rules, so raw land use is not unrestricted; confirm district rules before building. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyManufactured/mobile homes are only allowed in approved mobile home parks under the zoning ordinance. No Greene-specific rule on tiny homes or RVs as permanent dwellings was found; this likely falls back to the state's general treatment of RVs as vehicles, not residences. Confirm with Planning & Zoning. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedGreene County's Inspections Department administers building permits under Virginia's Uniform Statewide Building Code. A signed-off septic/well approval from the health department must be submitted with the building permit application before it will be processed. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted and regulated by the Virginia Department of Health through the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District, which serves Greene County (there is no separate county health department). Applications typically require a licensed onsite evaluator or engineer's work. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Greene County-specific greywater ordinance or guidance page was found; this appears to default to Virginia's statewide Board of Health regulations administered through the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District. Ask the district office directly for specifics. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance or health department page specifically addresses rainwater harvesting or rain barrels; this defaults to the state VDH baseline administered through the same health district office. source
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted and regulated by VDH through the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District, and a well or septic permit is generally required before the county will issue a building permit in areas without public service. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Greene County ordinance was found requiring grid electric connection, but occupancy still requires an approved septic/well system and a building permit or certificate of occupancy, which effectively regulates habitability regardless of electric hookup status. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,356 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 45 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,700 (moderate)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital - 12.8 mi
- Fire station
Ruckersville Volunteer Fire Department - 2.2 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 2.8 mi
- Grocery
Food Lion - 0.7 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 22968).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Greene 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.