Off-grid site report
Carroll County, VA
36.7676, -80.9487 · 2,116 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Carroll County, VA, 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 rulesCarroll County, VA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyCarroll County has no countywide zoning ordinance in effect; land use is controlled mainly through the county's Subdivision Ordinance. A draft zoning ordinance is under public review by the Planning Commission but is not yet adopted. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific policy on tiny homes on wheels or RV occupancy was found. Permanent dwellings fall under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code as adopted by the county; confirm tiny-house/RV specifics with the Building Official. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedCarroll County has adopted the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, enforced by the county Building Official. A building permit requires attaching current well and septic permits from the Health Department. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted through the Virginia Department of Health via the Carroll County Health Department, and a septic permit is required before the county issues a building permit. Since 2019, applications must be supported by a DPOR-licensed private consultant. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo Carroll County-specific greywater ordinance was found; the county appears to defer to Virginia Department of Health / State Board of Health rules on greywater reuse.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Carroll County-specific rainwater harvesting rule was found; the state baseline applies, where small rain barrels are generally exempt but larger or potable-use systems may need VDH registration or permit.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted through VDH via the Carroll County Health Department, and a well permit is required before the county issues a building permit. State regulation requires a licensed professional to conduct the site assessment and design. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Carroll County ordinance was found requiring grid electric connection, and off-grid power setups are not separately regulated in the sources found; however, well and septic permitting is still required regardless of electric grid status.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,357 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 44 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 20 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,355 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 30 to Oct 9
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Twin County Regional Hospital - 6.8 mi
- Fire station
Fries Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad - 4.2 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 6.6 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 6.4 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 24381).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Carroll County, VA?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 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.