Off-grid site report

New York County, NY

40.7506, -73.9688 · 49 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for New York County, NY, 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 rulesNew York County, NY

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedAll of Manhattan is mapped under the NYC Zoning Resolution, administered by the Dept. of City Planning; there is no unzoned or raw land in New York County. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedNo NYC-specific allowance for permanent RV or tiny-house living was found, so the state baseline against permanent trailer dwelling applies; DOB does allow a new permitted Ancillary Dwelling Unit pathway for 1-2 family homes, which is not an off-grid workaround. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedThe NYC Department of Buildings enforces building and zoning code citywide and issues all permits; no county-level exemption or loosening exists for Manhattan. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedManhattan is fully sewered, so septic is essentially inapplicable; composting toilets are allowed in concept under state code (10 NYCRR Appendix 75-A) but require greywater treatment and have not found a clear NYC approval path. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedGreywater reuse requires a DOB construction permit plus DOHMH review and sign-off under NYC Administrative Code; operating a system without both is a code violation subject to DOB stop-work action. source

Rainwater harvesting

Varies locallySimple rain barrels are governed by DEP guidance and not treated as a heavy permitting matter, but larger cistern or indoor-reuse rainwater systems fall under NYC Plumbing Code Chapter 13 review. source

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedNYC treats private wells as a last resort: DOHMH will only issue a drinking-water well permit if the applicant proves municipal water is inaccessible, and non-potable wells need a separate DEP groundwater discharge approval. source

Living disconnected from utilities

RestrictedNot confirmed as an explicit standalone ban, but in practice DOB requires approved water, sewer, or an approved alternative (like a permitted well) before issuing a Certificate of Occupancy; grid electricity itself is not confirmed as separately mandatory. source

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): 3.1 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,302 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 50 in/yr
Snowfall: 26 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,750 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 1 to Nov 18

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Lenox Health Greenwich Village: 1.9 mi
Fire station New York Engine Company 229: 2.4 mi
Hardware store Lowe's: 13.2 mi
Grocery: none within range

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 10017).

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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.