Off-grid site report
Jefferson County, CO
39.7824, -105.0863 · 5,341 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Jefferson 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 rulesJefferson County, CO
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedJefferson County has a countywide Zoning Resolution administered by Planning & Zoning; use of raw land or placement of dwellings must fit the parcel's zoning district. Incorporated towns within the county have their own separate zoning. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedPermanent tiny homes on foundations count as single-family dwellings needing a Building Permit; wheeled tiny homes and RVs used as residences need special permits (Miscellaneous Permit or an Administrative Exception) and are limited to certain zones. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe county Building Division requires permits for permanent structures; solar has its own tiered rules ranging from no permit for flush roof-mount to Special Exception review for commercial ground systems. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedOnsite wastewater treatment systems require permitting through Jefferson County Public Health Environmental Health Services under the county's OWTS regulations, including well water testing and resale inspection requirements. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo official county page confirms a locally-adopted greywater program under the state's Reg. 86 framework; not confirmed, so ask Jefferson County Public Health Environmental Health directly.
Rainwater harvesting
RestrictedRain barrel collection at homes is allowed under Colorado state law up to the state limit, and larger rooftop precipitation systems tied to a well need a state Division of Water Resources permit; no added county rule was found. source
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedWells are permitted by the Colorado Division of Water Resources (State Engineer's Office), with permit type depending on location within the county; well water quality also ties into septic permitting. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo countywide mandate forces a grid or municipal utility hookup; the county instead regulates each off-grid component (septic, well, solar/electrical) through its own permit. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.5 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.5 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,553 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 18 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 81 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,045 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- May 7 to Oct 1
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
University of Colorado Hospital - 13.3 mi
- Fire station
Denver Fire Department Station 17 - 2.3 mi
- Hardware store
Harbor Freight Tools - 12.0 mi
- Grocery
King Soopers - 3.1 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 80033).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Jefferson 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.