Off-grid site report
Clearfield County, PA
41.0273, -78.4392 · 1,106 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Clearfield 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 rulesClearfield County, PA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyClearfield County has no countywide zoning ordinance; the County Planning Commission reviews subdivisions/land developments in 31 of 50 municipalities, and 19 municipalities have their own Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances. Whether off-grid occupancy is allowed depends entirely on the individual township or borough. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyNo county rule on tiny homes or RVs as permanent dwellings; this is set by each township or borough's zoning and UCC adoption. Not confirmed at the county level.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedPennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code applies statewide, but over 90% of municipalities enforce it locally (per the Pennsylvania Housing Research Center); Clearfield Borough is one example that adopted and enforces the UCC itself. Confirm with your specific township or borough which office issues permits. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedPennsylvania's Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537) requires a local agency, in this case each township or borough (or a joint body like the Clearfield County Sewage Committee), to permit on-lot sewage systems through a certified Sewage Enforcement Officer. There is no county health department running this. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedGreywater is treated as sewage under the state Act 537/Chapter 73 framework; no Clearfield County or municipal relaxation of that was found.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county-specific rainwater ordinance found; inherits the state baseline allowing rainwater harvesting for non-potable use.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedNo county-specific well permitting requirement found; wells are governed by state driller licensing, and well siting is reviewed as part of the SEO's site evaluation for septic permitting.
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo countywide mandate requiring utility hookups; any such condition would come from a specific township or borough ordinance, not the county. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.4 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,181 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 45 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 44 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,265 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 27 to Oct 28
- Design low
- -2 °F
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Penn Highlands Clearfield Campus - 0.7 mi
- Fire station
Clearfield Fire Department - 0.4 mi
- Hardware store
Shugart's Lawn & Garden - 1.0 mi
- Grocery
J&G Food Warehouse - 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 16830).
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.