Off-grid site report

Ohio County, WV

40.0677, -80.7191 · 725 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Ohio County, WV, 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 rulesOhio County, WV

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyNo countywide zoning ordinance was found for unincorporated Ohio County; state law favors permissive land use outside municipalities. The City of Wheeling has its own zoning ordinance administered by its Planning & Zoning office. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo Ohio County ordinance on tiny homes or RV occupancy was found outside Wheeling; within Wheeling, the City's zoning and building code office regulates dwelling standards. Confirm directly with the relevant office for your parcel's location. source

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyWheeling requires a building permit for structural, electrical, or plumbing work; no county-specific building permit ordinance was found for unincorporated Ohio County. Not confirmed for parcels outside city limits. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department administers onsite sewage permitting countywide, including permits to install or modify individual sewer systems. Composting toilets are not separately addressed and likely fall under the same design-standards review. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo specific Ohio County greywater ordinance was found; greywater disposal appears to be handled as part of the health department's onsite sewage system design-standards review.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county or Wheeling ordinance restricting rainwater collection was found; this follows the state's general lack of restriction on non-potable collection.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedThe Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department issues a combined Sewage System & Well Permit, working alongside the state's Water Well Certification Program.

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo Ohio County ordinance requiring connection to public utilities was found; state law treats utilities as a permitted use in any zoning district but does not mandate hookup. Off-grid status appears to depend mainly on septic/well permitting.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.4 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.5 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,221 kWh

JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 40 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,308 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 20 to Oct 28

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Wheeling Hospital: 1.9 mi
Fire station Central Fire Station: 0.3 mi
Hardware store Lowe's: 1.1 mi
Grocery The Public Market: 0.3 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 43935).

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.