Off-grid site report
Washington County, NY
43.7468, -73.3973 · 351 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Washington County, NY, 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 rulesWashington County, NY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyWashington County has no countywide zoning code; under New York's Home Rule law, each town or village sets its own land-use rules. Some towns have zoning and compliance officers, others don't, so you must check locally. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyNo county-level rule specifically addresses tiny homes or RVs as dwellings; you must clear your town or village zoning/planning board review before the county will issue a building permit. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe Washington County Department of Code Enforcement administers the NYS Uniform Code and requires permits for most projects, with an exemption for small detached sheds under 144 square feet; larger or park-adjacent projects may also need state DEC, DOH, APA, or Lake George Park Commission approval. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe county's own Sanitary Code (Local Law No. 1 of 1988, amended 1989) requires a sewage disposal permit, mandates percolation and deep test holes, and disallows holding tanks for new construction; composting toilet specifics aren't confirmed at the county level. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNot confirmed: no Washington County-specific greywater ordinance was found. Ask the Department of Code Enforcement whether state baseline rules apply to your project.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNot confirmed at the county level; no Washington County-specific rainwater harvesting rule was found, so state guidance likely applies by default. Confirm with Code Enforcement.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedNo separate county well-permitting scheme exists; New York State DOH is the operative authority on private wells, and the county Public Health Service coordinates with the state on issues like contamination. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo countywide mandate requiring grid utility connection was found; whether you need one to get a Certificate of Occupancy depends on your specific town's building department. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.5 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.7 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,255 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 42 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 59 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,756 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 30 to Oct 10
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Elizabethtown Community Hospital - Ticonderoga - 7.4 mi
- Fire station
Benson Fire Department - 5.1 mi
- Hardware store
Aubuchon Hardware - 7.2 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 7.8 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 12861).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Washington County, NY?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →Share or save this report:New report
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.