Off-grid site report

Kanawha County, WV

38.3621, -81.6452 · 600 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Kanawha County, WV, 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 rulesKanawha County, WV

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyKanawha County Planning & Development administers land use ordinances in unincorporated areas, but it's not a traditional zoning code; incorporated cities like Charleston run their own separate zoning offices. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyAny structure, new or used, including mobile/manufactured homes, appears to require a county building permit, but no specific tiny-home or RV occupancy rule was found; confirm with Planning & Development.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedA building permit from Kanawha County Planning & Development is required for construction, placement, or relocation of structures in unincorporated areas, with fees based on estimated cost; floodplain rules add further requirements. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedSeptic and onsite sewage systems require a permit from the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department under state sewage rules, with a minimum lot size cited for individual septic systems; composting toilets aren't separately addressed. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Kanawha-specific greywater ordinance was found; it likely falls under KCHD's onsite sewage approval process by default, following the state's general framework, but this is not confirmed.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Kanawha County or KCHD rule on rainwater harvesting was found; it appears effectively unregulated for non-potable use as in most of the state, but this is not officially confirmed.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedPrivate wells are overseen by the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department under the state's well certification program; much of the county's populated area is instead served by West Virginia American Water. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo ordinance was found that mandates hookup to public water, sewer, or electric in unincorporated Kanawha County, but you'll need an approved septic permit and documented water system as part of your building permit.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.6 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.8 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,240 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 44 in/yr
Snowfall: 36 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,480 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 16 to Oct 25

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Charleston Area Medical Center - Women and Children's Hospital: 0.4 mi
Fire station Charleston Fire Department - Station 2: 0.5 mi
Hardware store Kanawha & Putnam County Restore: 1.0 mi
Grocery Kroger: 0.0 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 25389).

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.