Off-grid site report

Otsego County, NY

42.7347, -74.9589 · 1,811 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Otsego 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 rulesOtsego County, NY

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyOtsego County has no countywide zoning ordinance; each town or village (Otego, Otsego, Cooperstown, etc.) sets its own rules, so raw-land occupancy rights depend entirely on the municipality. Check with the specific town or village clerk. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyManufactured homes are permitted with a county permit and certified installer, but tiny houses on wheels or RVs used as full-time dwellings are not specifically addressed at the county level; this likely defaults to the NY State baseline treating them as travel trailers not meant for permanent occupancy. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedA building permit is required and is administered by the Otsego County Code Enforcement Office under the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and Energy Code, except in the City/Town of Oneonta, Town/Village of Otego, and Town of Milford, which run independent building departments. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedSeptic systems are permitted through the same Otsego County Code Enforcement Office (not a separate health department), and an approved septic plan is required before a building permit is issued. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Otsego County or town-specific rule on greywater reuse was found; this defaults to the New York State baseline, which technically allows it but requires disinfection for uses like toilet flushing.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rainwater harvesting rule was found; the New York State baseline generally permits rainwater collection for non-potable use.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedOtsego County, NY does not appear to run a separate well-permitting health department; well drilling follows the New York State DOH and DEC baseline standards with DEC-registered drillers.
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyWhether a home must connect to utilities is governed by local town or village zoning rather than any countywide rule, so it depends on the specific municipality; consult the local clerk. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
4.4 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
2.5 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,221 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
44 in/yr
Snowfall
82 in/yr
Heating degree days
7,533 (severe)
Frost-free season
May 8 to Oct 5

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Bassett Medical Center
3.3 mi
Fire station
Cooperstown Fire Department
2.8 mi
Hardware store
KCā€™S Hardware
15.7 mi
Grocery
Price Chopper
3.1 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 13337).

Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt

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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.