Off-grid site report

Lyon County, NV

39.2716, -119.2810 · 4,226 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Lyon County, NV, 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 rulesLyon County, NV

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyLyon County has countywide zoning under Title 15, adopted in 2018, covering its seven unincorporated communities; what's allowed depends on your specific zoning district, so check with Lyon County Planning. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedTiny homes are conditionally allowed under Nevada's SB 150 and IRC Appendix Q; manufactured homes face strict size and foundation standards; RVs generally aren't permitted as permanent dwellings. This is set by Lyon County per state-enabled authority. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedLyon County Building Department enforces codes adopted by the Board of Commissioners; small accessory structures may skip a permit but any electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work still needs one. source

Septic & composting toilets

Unclear - verifySeptic is referenced as a county permit category, but the actual standards come from the state's NDEP under NAC 445A; not confirmed whether Lyon County has its own composting-toilet policy, so ask county Environmental Protection or NDEP. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Lyon County-specific greywater rule was found in official sources; this likely falls under whatever plumbing code the county has adopted, so confirm directly with the Building Department.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Lyon County restriction beyond Nevada's statewide allowance under AB 138 was found in official sources.

Private wells & water rights

Varies locallyWells are administered by the Nevada Division of Water Resources, and Lyon County requires proof of proper water rights for well-served lots; in Mason and Smith Valleys, the Walker River Irrigation District must also approve the site plan. source

Living disconnected from utilities

RestrictedDisconnecting from electric utility service appears unrestricted, but Lyon County's building process requires water and sewer facilities (well and septic) to be on the same parcel as the dwelling. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 6.1 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.6 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,710 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 5 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,782 (moderate)

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital South Lyon Medical Center: 20.8 mi
Fire station: none within range
Hardware store Louie's Ace Home Center: 16.5 mi
Grocery Dollar General Market: 13.8 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 89429).

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.