Off-grid site report
Union County, NC
35.0374, -80.7576 · 686 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Union County, NC, 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 rulesUnion County, NC
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyUnion County's UDO, adopted under NCGS Chapter 153A Art. 18 and related state authority, governs unincorporated county land and the Village of Hemby Bridge only; municipalities like Monroe, Waxhaw, and Indian Trail each administer their own separate zoning codes. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Union County-specific rule on tiny home minimum size or RV-as-permanent-dwelling was found in the UDO text searched; not confirmed, so ask Union County Planning & Zoning or the relevant municipality directly.
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyUnion County Building Code Enforcement issues permits countywide except within Monroe and Waxhaw, which run their own building departments; the NC Building Code is enforced either way and proof of a water/sewer plan is required before permitting. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedUnion County Environmental Health, acting under NC General Statutes Chapters 130A and 87-97, administers septic design, permitting, and inspection countywide, including inside municipalities; an Improvement Permit must precede a Construction Authorization. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Union County-specific greywater page or rule was found; this defers to state DEQ/DHHS regulation, so confirm local interpretation with Union County Environmental Health.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Union County ordinance restricting rainwater harvesting or cisterns was found; state law appears to apply without an added county layer.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedUnion County Environmental Health, under state law (Chapters 130A and 87-97), requires a well permit and site plan for private drinking, irrigation, and geothermal wells, administered countywide by a well program specialist. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo explicit Union County ordinance bans off-grid utility disconnection, but the building permit process requires proof of an approved water and sewer solution (municipal letter, or well/septic permit or waiver) before permits are finalized, creating a practical barrier; not confirmed as an outright prohibition. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,441 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 44 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 3,190 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 31 to Nov 5
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Atrium Health Kannapolis - 33.8 mi
- Fire station
Charlotte Fire Department Station 20 - 9.9 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 6.3 mi
- Grocery
Harris Teeter - 1.0 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 28277).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Union County, NC?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.