Off-grid site report

Skamania County, WA

45.6933, -121.8908 · 72 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Skamania County, WA, 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 rulesSkamania County, WA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallySkamania County's Title 21 zoning code sets zones like RES-20 (10-acre minimum lots) and Rural/Conservancy designations; raw land occupancy without an approved dwelling isn't a recognized use under county code. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedCounty code defines a single-family residence separately from RVs and park models; RVs are capped at 14 consecutive/120 total days per year unless a temporary dwelling permit applies, which is only available while building a permanent home or for live-in caregiving. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedWashington State building codes (RCW 19.27) are enforced locally by Skamania County; permits are required except for specific small exemptions listed in SCC 15.08.030(A), and even exempt projects must meet zoning setbacks. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSkamania County's Environmental Health Division administers septic permitting under Washington State's WAC 246-272a rules; a property-transfer inspection requirement is reportedly coming, per the county's own page, though details weren't fully confirmed. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Skamania County-specific greywater ordinance was found; it appears to default to Washington State's WAC 246-274. Confirm directly with the Environmental Health Division.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rainwater harvesting rule was found; Washington State's general Department of Ecology policy (permitted for non-potable use without a water right) appears to be the operative rule locally.

Private wells & water rights

Varies locallyWells require a state water right under RCW 90.44.050 unless a small-use exemption applies, and a Water Adequacy Verification is required for building permits and land divisions; the county handles well sealing/decommissioning inspections under Department of Ecology delegation. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo ordinance bans grid disconnection outright, but a legal dwelling still requires an approved septic system and verified water source before a building permit is issued; off-grid power itself isn't separately restricted in county sources found. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.0 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 1.7 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,087 kWh

JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 78 in/yr
Snowfall: 9 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,582 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Mar 7 to Dec 2

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital: 17.7 mi
Fire station Stevenson Fire Department: 0.4 mi
Hardware store Stihl: 0.6 mi
Grocery Columbia Market: 1.9 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 98648).

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.