Off-grid site report

Linn County, OR

44.5474, -122.9902 · 295 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Linn County, OR, 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 rulesLinn County, OR

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyLinn County has countywide zoning with Rural Residential (RR-1 through RR-10), Farm/Forest, and Rural Resource zones, each with distinct dwelling rules; raw-land occupancy without going through a zone's dwelling approval isn't a recognized category. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedRVs and mobile/manufactured homes require specific temporary-use or hardship permits from Linn County rather than being allowed as full-time dwellings outright; whether the county opted into Oregon's SB 1013 RV-rental-dwelling program is not confirmed. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedLinn County Planning & Building issues building permits under Oregon's statewide Epermitting system, but requires sanitation/septic and site plan approval before a permit is issued. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedLinn County Environmental Health handles septic site approvals, permits, and inspections under Oregon DEQ's statewide OAR 340-71/340-73 rules; composting toilets as a stand-alone system are not addressed in county sources found. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Linn County-specific greywater rule was found; this likely defers to Oregon DEQ's statewide greywater permit program through the same Environmental Health office, but that's not confirmed, so ask Linn County Environmental Health.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Linn County ordinance restricting rooftop rainwater collection was found, and Oregon's general state exemption likely applies, though county-specific plumbing code details are not confirmed.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate domestic wells are regulated by the state Oregon Water Resources Department and the District 2 Watermaster, not directly by Linn County; the county's Health Department only oversees public water systems. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedLinn County does not ban off-grid living, but a legal dwelling still needs approved septic and water sources before a building permit is issued, regardless of grid-electric or municipal hookup status. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.1 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 1.5 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,163 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 46 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,263 (moderate)

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital: 4.1 mi
Fire station Fire Station 31: 3.4 mi
Hardware store The Home Depot: 6.5 mi
Grocery Vinnie's: 4.1 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 97355).

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.