Off-grid site report

Clatsop County, OR

46.1887, -123.8364 · 36 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Clatsop County, OR, 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 rulesClatsop County, OR

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyClatsop County zones most rural land as resource land (F-80, AF, EFU) and requires a Lot-of-Record Determination before building; incorporated cities handle their own zoning inside city limits/UGB. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyManufactured homes are permitted under state placement rules processed by the county Building Codes Division; whether the county allows RVs as permanent second dwellings under SB 1013, or specific tiny-house standards, is not confirmed. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedThe Clatsop County Building Codes Division administers state-adopted structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical codes, with combined permits available for new single-family homes and owner-builder self-signing allowed. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedClatsop County's Onsite Septic Program (taken over from Oregon DEQ in 2014) issues construction and installation permits for systems under 2,500 gallons/day; lot size needed varies by water source. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific greywater ordinance was found; it likely defaults to Oregon DEQ's statewide program, but this is not confirmed, so check with the county's Onsite Septic Program.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedClatsop County's development code lists rainwater catchment as an approved water source, with design reviewed under Oregon Building Codes by the county Building Codes Division. source

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWells are allowed but require a domestic water right application through Oregon Water Resources Department, a potability test, and county verification via a certified well driller; small domestic use is generally exempt from a full water right permit statewide. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedNothing in county code appears to prohibit living off the electrical grid, but the county still requires proof of an approved water source and septic system before approving a structure. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 3.7 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 1.6 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,061 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 67 in/yr
Snowfall: 1 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,023 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 1 to Nov 9

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Columbia Memorial Hospital: 0.8 mi
Fire station Astoria Fire Station #2: 0.7 mi
Hardware store City Lumber Company: 0.9 mi
Grocery Astoria Downtown Market: 0.2 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 97103).

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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.