Off-grid site report

Wibaux County, MT

46.9850, -104.1883 · 2,631 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Wibaux County, MT, 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 rulesWibaux County, MT

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Unclear - verifyNo official Wibaux County zoning ordinance or map was found. An unverified advocacy source suggests the county may have adopted a wind-energy-related zoning resolution, but this is not confirmed officially. The Town of Wibaux sets separate zoning for in-town parcels.

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo Wibaux County-specific rule on tiny homes or RV dwellings was found; absent confirmation of a local code, the Montana state baseline (including IRC Appendix Q where permits are required) would apply.

Building permits & codes

Unclear - verifyMontana state law exempts single-family homes from state building code permitting unless a county opts in; whether Wibaux County has opted in is not confirmed. Ask the County Courthouse directly. source

Septic & composting toilets

Varies locallySeptic systems statewide fall under Montana DEQ Circular 4 and ARM 17.36, administered locally by city-county boards of health, but whether Wibaux County runs its own environmental health office or shares one with a neighboring county is not confirmed. source

Greywater reuse

Generally allowedNo Wibaux County-specific greywater ordinance was found; the Montana state baseline allows limited in-home greywater reuse without a permit under certain conditions.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Wibaux County restriction was found; the Montana state baseline permits basic rooftop rainwater collection for personal non-potable use.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedNo Wibaux County-specific well ordinance was found; the Montana DNRC statewide exempt-well framework applies, requiring a notice of completion after drilling.

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo statewide statute mandates grid connection, and no official Wibaux County rule addressing off-grid occupancy was located.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.8 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.6 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,407 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 15 in/yr
Snowfall: 36 in/yr
Heating degree days: 8,406 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 24 to Sep 16

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Glendive Medical Center: 26.0 mi
Fire station Wibaux Fire Department: 0.1 mi
Hardware store Rohan Ace Hardware: 9.9 mi
Grocery Grocery Outlet: 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 59353).

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.