Off-grid site report

Highland County, OH

39.2263, -83.6224 · 1,011 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Highland County, OH, 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 rulesHighland County, OH

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyHighland County has no countywide zoning ordinance; land use in unincorporated areas is regulated township by township (17 townships) under state law, while Hillsboro and six villages zone within their own limits. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyTiny homes, RVs, and ADUs as permanent dwellings aren't clearly addressed in township zoning and likely need a variance; Hillsboro city limits separately allow manufactured/industrialized homes as single-family dwellings with a standard permit.

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyHillsboro operates its own state-certified building department enforcing the Residential Code of Ohio; which entity issues permits for unincorporated townships is not confirmed and should be checked with the county planning office. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Highland County Health Department permits, reviews, and inspects household sewage systems countywide, and homeowners can self-install after consulting the department first. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Highland County-specific greywater rule was found; the state framework administered through the local health district likely applies, but this isn't locally confirmed, so ask the Health Department directly. source

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyCisterns are covered under the county's private water system permitting, but there's no distinct county rainwater harvesting ordinance found, so specifics aren't locally confirmed. source

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedThe Highland County Health Department permits private water systems, including wells, ponds, springs, and cisterns, and requires a state-registered contractor plus water sampling. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo countywide requirement to connect to utilities was found; the one confirmed rule is that untreated sewage discharge is banned within the designated Highland County Sewer District, not countywide. source

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): 2.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,316 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 43 in/yr
Snowfall: 18 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,514 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 17 to Oct 24

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Highland District Hospital: 0.7 mi
Fire station Clinton–Highland Joint Fire District: 8.0 mi
Hardware store Lowe's: 0.3 mi
Grocery Walmart Supercenter: 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 45133).

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.