Off-grid site report

Baraga County, MI

46.7785, -88.4890 · 617 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Baraga County, MI, 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 rulesBaraga County, MI

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyBaraga County has no countywide zoning ordinance; each township or village sets its own under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act. Baraga Township has an active zoning ordinance and permit process, but other townships were not confirmed. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyDwelling type and placement rules depend on the township; Baraga Township requires a Zoning Compliance Permit before any building permit. No Appendix Q or specific tiny-home/RV rules were confirmed for the county. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedAs of July 1, 2023 the State of Michigan (LARA) enforces the building code in Baraga Township for new permits, but the township's Zoning Compliance Permit must be obtained first. Other townships may use different enforcement agencies per the state's jurisdiction list. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedThe Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) evaluates sites and issues sewage system permits under the Upper Peninsula Environmental Health Code; no township can issue a building permit for a home needing a sewage system without WUPHD sign-off. Pit and vault privies are conditionally allowed with site evaluation, not banned outright. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Baraga County or WUPHD-specific greywater rule was found; this likely falls back to the state plumbing code baseline, but that was not confirmed in this research. Ask WUPHD or the State of Michigan (LARA) directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county or WUPHD-specific rainwater harvesting ordinance was found; state plumbing code provisions likely apply by default, but this was not directly confirmed.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedWUPHD requires a permit and site evaluation for private wells as part of its on-site sewage and water supply program, and this is needed before local building permits proceed.

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyThe Upper Peninsula Environmental Health Code bars issuance of building or occupancy permits for habitable structures without approved water supply and sewage disposal, which limits full off-grid living for a permitted dwelling, though off-grid power alone isn't addressed as prohibited.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.1 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.0 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,202 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 37 in/yr
Snowfall: 220 in/yr
Heating degree days: 9,600 (severe)

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Baraga County Memorial Hospital: 4.4 mi
Fire station Baraga Village Fire Hall: 0.2 mi
Hardware store Erickson's True Value: 2.5 mi
Grocery Larry's Market: 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 49946).

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.