Off-grid site report

Cass County, ND

46.8758, -96.9281 · 889 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Cass County, ND, 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 rulesCass County, ND

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyCass County does not zone most rural land; each of the 49 townships and many cities set their own zoning, generally under state law. You must find and contact your specific township. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyNo countywide dwelling-size or RV/tiny-home standard exists; individual townships (e.g., Rich Township) set building code requirements. Confirm with your township. source

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyBuilding permits are jurisdiction-dependent: contact the Cass County Planning Office if outside city/township control, or the specific city or township if one applies. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedCass County adopted its own septic ordinance under its Home Rule Charter, administered by Fargo Cass Public Health/SEPHC; self-installation is allowed if you personally dig the system. Large systems (25+ occupants) need North Dakota Department of Health review. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo specific Cass County or Fargo-Cass Public Health greywater ordinance was found; likely folded into onsite wastewater/septic rules, but not confirmed. Ask Fargo Cass Public Health directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Cass County-specific rainwater ordinance was found, so the generally permissive state baseline applies. Confirm underground storage tank rules if relevant.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate domestic wells are allowed under state rules with a licensed contractor; alternatively, Cass Rural Water District provides hookups to farms and rural residences via a water users agreement and Board approval.

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo countywide mandate requiring grid electric or public water hookup was found; township zoning could theoretically impose stricter rules, so check with your specific township.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.5 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.6 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,312 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 23 in/yr
Snowfall: 50 in/yr
Heating degree days: 8,800 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 8 to Sep 29

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Sanford Medical Center: 3.2 mi
Fire station West Fargo Fire Department: 2.4 mi
Hardware store Tool Warehouse, Inc.: 1.3 mi
Grocery Family Fare: 2.4 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 58078).

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 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.