Off-grid site report
Pulaski County, VA
37.0479, -80.7798 · 1,913 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Pulaski 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 rulesPulaski County, VA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyPulaski County administers countywide zoning through its Unified Development Ordinance, but the Town of Pulaski and Town of Dublin each administer their own separate zoning ordinances within town limits. Confirm which jurisdiction covers your parcel with the relevant office. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rule on tiny homes or RV occupancy was confirmed; the state building code baseline likely applies but this isn't spelled out in county sources. Confirm with Planning & Zoning. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe county Building Office administers the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and requires all permit documentation, including proof of an approved water/sewage system, at time of submittal. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Pulaski County Health Department, part of the New River Health District, permits septic systems, and a VDH permit is required before the county issues a building permit. Since 2019, applications must include work from a DPOR-licensed private consultant, a state-level requirement. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedGreywater reuse is governed by Virginia's statewide Board of Health regulations, administered locally through the New River Health District's environmental health staff. No county-specific addition was confirmed. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedRainwater harvesting falls under VDH's statewide Rainwater Harvesting System program, including a Tier 4 permit for larger or potable systems. No Pulaski County-specific ordinance was found. source
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells require a VDH permit through the Pulaski County Health Department and New River Health District, and this permit must be shown before the county finalizes a building permit. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance was found requiring connection to grid electricity, but occupancy still functionally depends on having an approved well/septic system per the county's building permit process. Not explicitly confirmed as legal off-grid electric statement. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,334 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 37 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 17 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,096 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 28 to Oct 11
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
LewisGale Hospital Pulaski - 1.9 mi
- Fire station
Draper Volunteer Fire Department - 3.5 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 5.6 mi
- Grocery
Food Lion - 1.4 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 24301).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Pulaski 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.