Off-grid site report

McDowell County, WV

37.4029, -81.3804 · 1,969 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for McDowell County, WV, 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 rulesMcDowell County, WV

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Unclear - verifyNo official McDowell County zoning ordinance or map was found; it's not confirmed the county has adopted zoning under the state's optional Land Use Planning Act. Confirm directly with the McDowell County Commission. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo official county rule on tiny homes or RV occupancy was found; ask the McDowell County Commission before relying on one as a residence.

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyBuilding permit offices found are municipal (Welch, Gary), not countywide; West Virginia's State Building Code applies only where a locality adopts it, and it's unconfirmed whether unincorporated McDowell County enforces one. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic systems go through the state process: an NPDES general permit from WV DEP, then an OEHS construction permit, with the McDowell County Health Department handling local septic inspections and permits. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo county-specific greywater rule exists; greywater disposal falls under the same state onsite-wastewater design review as septic, per OEHS.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county or state restriction found on non-potable rainwater collection; potable use would fall under well/water certification rules instead.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells fall under West Virginia's statewide Water Well Certification Program, with the McDowell County Health Department handling local well permits and water testing.

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo McDowell County ordinance requiring hookup to public utilities was found, but this is not affirmatively confirmed either way; off-grid living appears tied mainly to septic/well compliance.

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): 3.1 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,265 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 46 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,173 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 27 to Oct 17

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Welch Community Hospital: 11.7 mi
Fire station Poplar Hill Volunteer Fire Department: 4.1 mi
Hardware store Keystone Hardware & Building Supplies: 4.0 mi
Grocery Lashmeet Grocery: 10.1 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 24868).

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.