Off-grid site report

Franklin County, PA

39.9369, -77.6767 · 594 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Franklin County, PA, 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 rulesFranklin County, PA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyFranklin County has no countywide zoning ordinance; zoning is set by each township or borough individually. The County Planning Department only coordinates and reviews subdivisions, it does not zone land itself. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyNo Franklin County-specific rule on tiny homes or RV occupancy was found; this is governed by each township's zoning ordinance plus the statewide Uniform Construction Code baseline. Not confirmed at the county level.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedEach municipality designates its own Building Code Official or contracted UCC inspector to issue permits under the statewide Uniform Construction Code; there is no county building department. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedUnder PA's Act 537, septic systems are permitted locally by each township's certified Sewage Enforcement Officer (SEO), with technical oversight from PA DEP. Franklin County has no county health department administering this. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo Franklin County-specific greywater ordinance was found; greywater is treated as sewage under DEP's Act 537 framework and must go through the same municipal SEO permitting as septic. source

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Franklin County ordinance on rainwater harvesting was found; it inherits the general Pennsylvania baseline of being fine for non-potable use but not an approved sole potable source. Not confirmed at the county level.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPennsylvania does not require a state well-construction permit, though drillers must be licensed; no Franklin County well permit requirement was confirmed. Ask the county planning office or your township about any local testing rules at property transfer.

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo state law or Franklin County ordinance mandates grid connection; whether a township's occupancy permit requires utility hookup depends on that municipality's own building and zoning code.

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): 2.8 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,309 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 42 in/yr
Snowfall: 31 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,415 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 20 to Oct 20

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Chambersburg Hospital: 1.6 mi
Fire station Franklin Fire Company: 0.7 mi
Hardware store Ace Hardware: 3.4 mi
Grocery T. Oliver Grocery Store: 0.2 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 17201).

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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.