Off-grid site report
Prince Edward County, VA
37.2663, -78.3994 · 440 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Prince Edward 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 rulesPrince Edward County, VA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedPrince Edward County has adopted countywide zoning, administered by the Planning/Zoning Administrator; a zoning permit is required before health department or building permits are issued. Exact district-level lot size and setback rules are in the county's Municode ordinance but specific sections were not confirmed. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyThe county requires planning/zoning approval, health department well/septic sign-off, and a building permit for new homes including manufactured and modular units. Tiny homes on wheels and RVs as permanent dwellings are not addressed in a county-specific ordinance I could find, so the state default likely applies; confirm with Building Office. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe county's Building Office enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (a state code applied locally), and the Building Official must meet state certification requirements. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedOnsite sewage systems, including composting toilets, are permitted through the Piedmont Health District, a Virginia Department of Health office, and this permit is required before the county issues a building permit. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo Prince Edward County-specific greywater ordinance was found; regulation defers to the state VDH/Board of Health framework administered by the local health department.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county ordinance on rainwater harvesting was located; this appears to follow the state's general allowance, but no county-added conditions are confirmed.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells require a VDH permit through the Piedmont Health District before a building permit is issued, coordinated with a licensed well driller or onsite soil evaluator. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county ordinance requiring grid electric hookup was found, though building permit paperwork asks for utility company information. Whether off-grid electrical living is formally permitted is not confirmed; ask the Building Office directly.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.1 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,370 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 44 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 11 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,387 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 20 to Oct 23
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Centra Southside Community Hospital - 2.5 mi
- Fire station
Hampden-Sydney Volunteer Fire Dept, Inc. - 3.9 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 0.6 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 0.9 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 23909).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Prince Edward 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.