Off-grid site report

Lincoln County, WY

42.2544, -111.0035 · 9,266 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Lincoln County, WY, 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 rulesLincoln County, WY

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyLincoln County has adopted its own countywide zoning ordinance with designated zones; what's allowed on raw land depends on the zone, per the County Office of Planning and Development. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyThe county issues building permits for residential dwellings and a discretionary Land Use Permit for residential use; specific rules for tiny homes or RVs as permanent residences aren't spelled out and should be confirmed with Planning & Development. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedBuilding permits are required through the County Planning & Development office, unlike many rural Wyoming counties with minimal permitting; the county also bans all digging, including septic work, from November 15 to April 1. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedLincoln County administers its own Small Wastewater (septic) permitting under its Land Use Regulations (Appendix E), requiring a permit, percolation test, and site plan; confirm with the county whether your parcel is under county or Wyoming DEQ jurisdiction. source

Greywater reuse

Generally allowedCounty regulations allow greywater reuse if it stays on the property, doesn't pond or run off, and avoids floodplains; irrigation use needs disinfection, and Wyoming DEQ Water Quality Division should be notified before installation under the state's permit-by-rule process.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Lincoln County rule restricting residential rainwater collection was found; this follows the Wyoming state baseline where the State Engineer's Office doesn't regulate it.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedWells fall under the Wyoming State Engineer's Office prior-appropriation permitting system, requiring a permit before construction and meeting setback rules like a 10-foot minimum from property lines; no distinct Lincoln County well ordinance was found. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo countywide rule mandating hookup to electric, gas, or municipal water was found; off-grid power setups appear to go through standard building/electrical permitting only, though incorporated towns in the county may have their own separate rules, not confirmed here.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.0 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.3 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,391 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 17 in/yr
Snowfall: 95 in/yr
Heating degree days: 8,768 (severe)

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Bear Lake Memorial Hospital: 15.7 mi
Fire station Cokeville Fire Department: 11.9 mi
Hardware store Ace Hardware: 15.7 mi
Grocery Broulim's: 15.6 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 83238).

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.