Off-grid site report
Nottoway County, VA
37.1286, -78.0798 · 453 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Nottoway 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 rulesNottoway County, VA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedThe Nottoway County Board of Supervisors administers countywide zoning, with variances handled by the Board of Zoning Appeals. Raw land use is regulated, not a free-for-all. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyManufactured/modular homes are recognized in county permitting practice, but placement restrictions (e.g., limits to approved parks or subdivisions) were not confirmed on any official county page. Confirm with the Planning Department.
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe county requires a zoning permit, an approved septic permit, and a building permit before construction, with inspections through the County Administration Office; permits run six months and renew on inspection. This matches the Virginia state baseline for permitting. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted through the Virginia Department of Health's Piedmont Health District, which serves Nottoway County, following the standard state onsite sewage program. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo Nottoway-specific greywater rule was found; this falls back to Virginia's statewide Board of Health greywater regulations administered through the local health department. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county-specific rainwater ordinance was found; small-scale rainwater harvesting is generally covered under Virginia's statewide exemptions for modest systems.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted through the Piedmont Health District (VDH), using a site sketch showing house, well, and septic placement plus any contamination sources nearby. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance requiring grid-electric hookup was found, but an approved septic permit and water source are still required before occupancy, so off-grid water/waste systems must still be permitted.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.1 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.7 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,376 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 46 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 6 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,256 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 17 to Oct 24
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Centra Southside Community Hospital - 21.5 mi
- Fire station
LaCross Volunteer Fire Department - 4.9 mi
- Hardware store
Bookers Supply - 4.1 mi
- Grocery
A & J Produce - 4.0 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 23955).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Nottoway 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.