Off-grid site report

Butler County, PA

40.6802, -80.1139 · 1,066 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Butler County, PA, 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 rulesButler County, PA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyButler County has no countywide zoning ordinance; the 33 townships and boroughs hold zoning authority individually, with the County Planning Commission handling subdivision/land-development review. A few townships let the County Zoning Administrator enforce zoning on their behalf, but the rules still come from that municipality. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyNo county-level rule on tiny homes, RVs, or minimum dwelling size was found; this is set by each township or borough's own zoning code, as seen in City of Butler's zoning chapter. Confirm with your specific municipality. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedBuilding permits are enforced locally (e.g., City of Butler, Butler Township) generally following the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. Confirm process and requirements with your township or borough building office. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedSeptic systems require permits under the state Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), administered locally by each township or borough's Sewage Enforcement Officer (SEO), not a county health department. Examples: Oakland Township and Clinton Township each run their own SEO permitting process. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Butler County or municipal page specifically addresses greywater; it likely falls under the state Sewage Facilities Act framework administered via your township's SEO. Ask your township's SEO how they classify and handle greywater.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Butler County or township-specific rainwater harvesting ordinance was found; treat state plumbing code baselines as controlling unless your township says otherwise. Confirm with your township building office about stormwater or cross-connection rules.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are guided by the state Department of Health and DEP, with drillers licensed at the state level; there's no Butler County well-permitting office identified. The Butler County Soil & Water Conservation District can help direct you to testing labs. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo official Butler County or municipal source confirms a grid-connection mandate or exemption; this is likely addressed, if at all, in individual township building/occupancy permit conditions. Ask your specific township building office directly.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
4.3 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
2.3 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,196 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
35 in/yr
Heating degree days
5,564 (cold)

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Advanced Surgical Hospital
37.2 mi
Fire station
Cranberry Township Fire Department
2.3 mi
Hardware store
Lowe's
1.9 mi
Grocery
ALDI
0.6 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 16066).

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.