Off-grid site report

Mountrail County, ND

48.3114, -102.3801 · 2,238 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Mountrail County, ND, 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 rulesMountrail County, ND

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyMountrail County has a Land Development Code adopted under state authority (NDCC 54-21.3), but some cities and organized townships keep their own separate zoning authority, so you must confirm which jurisdiction covers a given parcel. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyNo published minimum dwelling size or RV occupancy rule was found; mobile/manufactured homes have required a conditional use permit in at least one documented county case, so check with Planning & Zoning for your district. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedThe county requires a building/demolition permit, with setbacks and any conditional use or variance resolved before issuance by the Planning & Zoning Board; permits expire one year from issue. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic (ISTS) permits are issued by the Upper Missouri District Health Unit and are valid for twelve months; as of a 2025 state law, installer licensing for septic systems is overseen by the state DEQ, except for owners installing on their own property for personal use. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo county or UMDHU page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; this is not confirmed, so contact UMDHU before installing a system.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county-specific rainwater ordinance was found; this follows the state baseline of being generally legal, though larger or underground systems may need a building permit, best confirmed with the county building office.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedThe county refers well and water-rights questions to the North Dakota State Water Commission and water quality/siting questions to UMDHU rather than running its own program; domestic/stock wells are generally exempt from full state appropriation permitting. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance mandating utility hookup was found, but off-grid structures still must go through the building permit, setback, and septic approval process regardless of power 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): 2.5 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,361 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 19 in/yr
Snowfall: 46 in/yr
Heating degree days: 9,791 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 17 to Sep 20

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Mountrail County Medical Center: 0.0 mi
Fire station: none within range
Hardware store Satermo's: 23.4 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 58784).

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 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.