Off-grid site report
San Joaquin County, CA
37.9893, -121.3224 · 13 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for San Joaquin County, CA, 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 rulesSan Joaquin County, CA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedThe county's Development Title (Title 9) sets zones like AG (20-160 acre minimums) and Rural Residential (1-5 acre lots); raw land occupancy without an approved dwelling isn't a recognized use. Confirm informal camping rules with the Planning Division. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyTiny home legality depends on state HCD classification (RV, manufactured, factory-built, or site-built); long-term RV living as a primary residence outside licensed parks is generally not permitted in unincorporated areas. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedAll structures require permits and inspection through the county's Community Development Department (Accela system); Title 8 of the county code covers building regulations. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedEnvironmental Health Department administers septic/OWTS permitting under its own state-approved Local Agency Management Program; composting toilets aren't separately addressed, so ask the department directly.
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo county-specific greywater ordinance was found; this likely defaults to the state California Plumbing Code Chapter 15 baseline, not confirmed for any county add-on. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county-specific rainwater ordinance restricting cisterns or rooftop collection was found; likely inherits the state Rainwater Capture Act baseline.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedEnvironmental Health issues well construction, repair, and destruction permits under a specific county ordinance section plus state Water Code authority, with SGMA groundwater coordination.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo dedicated ordinance requires grid or municipal hookup, but building permits effectively require a permitted well and septic system before occupancy approval; not confirmed if a separate habitability ordinance exists.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 6.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,662 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 18 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 0 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,389 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Feb 18 to Nov 30
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Saint Josephs Hospital - 2.2 mi
- Fire station
Stockton Fire Station 4 - 0.8 mi
- Hardware store
The Home Depot - 1.3 mi
- Grocery
New Cambodian Market Asian Grocery - 0.1 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 95267).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in San Joaquin County, CA?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →Share or save this report:New report
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.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.