Off-grid site report
Archuleta County, CO
36.9963, -106.4967 · 9,279 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Archuleta 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 rulesArchuleta County, CO
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedArchuleta County adopted countywide zoning and Land Use Regulations in 2006; a Land Use Permit requires the parcel be a recognized Legal Lot. Confirm lot legality with the county Planning Department before buying or building. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedThe county allows temporary RV/tiny-home camping on your own residential land only under a time-limited Temporary Use Permit for an annual camping season; permanent homes must meet building code and get a building permit. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedArchuleta County enforces its own Amended Residential/Building Code (locally modified IRC/IBC) through the Building Department, with extra floodplain permitting where applicable. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedSan Juan Basin Public Health historically issued OWTS permits here, but Archuleta County is transitioning septic permitting to its own Water Quality Department under a locally adopted, Regulation 43-based program. Confirm which agency currently handles your permit. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedThe county's Water Quality Department is actively developing its own greywater management program tied to state Regulation 86, but a detailed public ordinance was not found. Ask the county directly before installing a system. source
Rainwater harvesting
RestrictedNo Archuleta-specific rainwater ordinance was found; the state Division of Water Resources baseline applies, requiring a rooftop precipitation collection permit when tied to an exempt or small-capacity well for qualifying residences. source
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedWells are permitted through the state Division of Water Resources, not the county, though state guidance notes county land-use rules still apply on top of any well permit. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo county source was found mandating grid or municipal utility hookup for unincorporated land; the real constraints are the building and OWTS/well permitting rules described above.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,679 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 24 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 97 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 8,321 (severe)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Conejos County Hospital - 34.6 mi
- Fire station
Chama Fire Department - 7.8 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 9.3 mi
- Grocery
Lowe's Market - 9.3 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 87520).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Archuleta 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.