Off-grid site report

McIntosh County, ND

46.1645, -99.1516 · 1,916 ft elevation

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

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyMcIntosh County has a Planning and Zoning Commission and a draft/preliminary countywide zoning ordinance; most land outside Ashley and Wishek is unorganized territory likely governed by this county ordinance, but exact district rules aren't independently verified. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county page specifies minimum dwelling size or RV/tiny-home rules; North Dakota has no statewide minimum size, so this is set locally if at all. Confirm with the county zoning office.

Building permits & codes

Unclear - verifyNo McIntosh County building permit office or code was found; statewide electrical and plumbing work must still meet state board codes regardless of local building code adoption. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic installers must hold a state license under North Dakota Century Code 23.1-07.1 plus a local public health permit, which for McIntosh County would come through the McIntosh District Health Unit. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo state or McIntosh County page addresses residential greywater reuse permitting; this is an unresolved gray area, ask the McIntosh District Health Unit if pursuing this.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo McIntosh County ordinance restricts rainwater harvesting; the permissive state baseline applies, though underground storage may involve separate permitting.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedDomestic and stock wells are generally exempt from state water appropriation permitting, but must be built by a licensed driller, with reports filed with the State Board of Water Well Contractors; the county Water Board handles broader local water management. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo McIntosh County ordinance mandates utility hookup; state law doesn't require grid connection either, but municipal codes in Ashley or Wishek weren't checked and could differ.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.8 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.7 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,405 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 20 in/yr
Snowfall: 30 in/yr
Heating degree days: 8,778 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 12 to Sep 25

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Ashley Medical Center: 13.6 mi
Fire station: none within range
Hardware store Kulm Hardware and Home Center: 13.6 mi
Grocery Kulm Grocery: 13.6 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 58413).

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.