Off-grid site report

Edmunds County, SD

45.5331, -98.7861 · 1,463 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Edmunds County, SD, 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 rulesEdmunds County, SD

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyEdmunds County has adopted a countywide zoning ordinance (Ordinance #2022-7-1, 2022) under state authority SDCL 11-2, dividing the county into eight districts with differing rules. What's allowed depends entirely on your parcel's district. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyThe ordinance defines structures broadly but has no specific clause on tiny homes or RVs used as permanent dwellings that I could find. Not confirmed either way, so check with the county Zoning Officer. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedThe county Planning & Zoning Office issues building permits along with 911 addresses, plats, conditional use permits, and variances. Whether a specific model building code is formally adopted beyond permitting isn't confirmed; ask the Zoning Officer. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedSeptic is permitted but requires state-certified installation and, at the county level, a plot plan submitted to the Edmunds County Planning Commission for approval, with discretionary inspection of owner-installed systems. Composting toilets are not addressed in official materials. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Edmunds County ordinance or specific South Dakota rule on residential greywater reuse was found; this is not confirmed and should be asked of the Zoning Officer directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rule on rainwater harvesting was found. State baseline generally exempts domestic use from water-rights permitting, but no county addition is confirmed.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate domestic wells are regulated at the state level through South Dakota's well-construction program rather than by a distinct county well ordinance; county zoning does reference wellhead protection in feedlot siting contexts.

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedNo Edmunds County ordinance language was found requiring connection to public utilities; standard district use, setback, and permit rules still apply to any dwelling built.

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): 2.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,407 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 20 in/yr
Snowfall: 31 in/yr
Heating degree days: 8,336 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 8 to Sep 26

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Avera Saint Lukes Hospital: 15.7 mi
Fire station Aberdeen Fire & Rescue 2: 13.8 mi
Hardware store Nelson Sales & Service: 14.8 mi
Grocery Natural Abundance Food Co-op: 15.2 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 57451).

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.