Off-grid site report

McHenry County, ND

48.3458, -100.4054 · 1,476 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for McHenry County, ND, 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 rulesMcHenry County, ND

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyMcHenry County has adopted countywide zoning under state authority (NDCC Chapter 11-33), with agricultural districts being most permissive. Balfour, Upham, and Voltaire fall under county zoning while several other towns set their own rules; the ordinance is currently being updated. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyThe county ordinance sets a lot-size placement rule for RVs, but no confirmed minimum size for tiny homes was found; confirm current rules with the Planning & Zoning Commission given the ordinance rewrite in progress. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedMcHenry County requires that any building or structure conform to the zoning ordinance for its district before being built, moved, or altered; specific code editions or inspection details are not confirmed. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedFirst District Health Unit (FDHU) issues septic/onsite wastewater permits for McHenry County; work must be done by an NDDEQ-licensed contractor or certified property owner, and systems are illegal without final inspection.

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo McHenry County or First District Health Unit page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; not confirmed, likely handled case-by-case through FDHU's septic permitting.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county ordinance addressing rainwater collection was found; it appears to follow North Dakota's generally permissive state baseline, though this is not locally confirmed.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedNorth Dakota does not regulate private well placement or water quality, but well construction, pumps, and pitless units must be installed by a contractor licensed through the ND Department of Water Resources. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyThe county zoning ordinance reviewed contains no utility-hookup mandate for dwellings, but rules in individually-zoned towns within the county are not confirmed.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.5 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.5 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,317 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 17 in/yr
Snowfall: 38 in/yr
Heating degree days: 9,712 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 19 to Sep 19

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Saint Andrews Health Center: 33.4 mi
Fire station: none within range
Hardware store: none within range
Grocery Leevers Foods: 18.9 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 58788).

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.