Off-grid site report

Brooke County, WV

40.3036, -80.5894 · 689 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Brooke County, WV, 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 rulesBrooke County, WV

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Generally allowedBrooke County has no countywide zoning, per the county's own FAQ. Incorporated towns (Wellsburg, Follansbee, Weirton, Bethany, Beech Bottom, Windsor Heights) may have their own zoning, so check with the town if you're inside its limits. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county building code or ordinance addresses tiny homes or RV occupancy specifically. Not confirmed at the county level; this may vary by incorporated town.

Building permits & codes

Unclear - verifyThere is no county building-permit office for unincorporated land; building questions for incorporated areas go to the town's city hall, per the county FAQ. Not confirmed whether any building code applies outside towns. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Brooke County Health Department issues onsite sewage system permits under state design standards from WV's Office of Environmental Health Services. Brooke County is excluded from the state's online Home Aeration Unit portal, so residents apply directly through the local health department. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo separate greywater rule was found; greywater appears to fall under the same state onsite sewage design standards enforced by the Brooke County Health Department. Confirm specifics with that office.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county or state rule was found restricting rainwater collection for non-potable use in Brooke County. Potable-use permitting requirements are not confirmed at the county level.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedThe Brooke County Health Department is the local permitting office for private wells, operating under statewide Office of Environmental Health Services well design standards.

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance was found requiring connection to public utilities in unincorporated Brooke County. Not explicitly confirmed by any official document, so ask the county directly if you plan to live fully off-grid.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.3 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.5 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,193 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 42 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,720 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 26 to Oct 19

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Trinity Medical Center West: 5.7 mi
Fire station Fire Station Number Three: 1.6 mi
Hardware store Harbor Freight Tools: 6.3 mi
Grocery Dollar General Market: 0.5 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 26037).

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.