Off-grid site report

Carbon County, UT

39.5477, -110.4149 · 6,316 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Carbon County, UT, 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 rulesCarbon County, UT

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyCarbon County Planning & Zoning enforces multiple districts (residential, Mining & Grazing, commercial); whether alternative dwellings are allowed long-term depends on the specific zone and wasn't confirmed in the zone-chart text. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rule on RV or tiny-home occupancy was confirmed; foundation dwellings fall under the state building code enforced by the county. Ask the Building Department about your specific structure. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedThe Carbon County Building Department requires a permit for construction, alteration, or occupancy changes, enforcing the 2021 International Building Code including Appendix J. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedSeptic (individual wastewater) approval is handled by the Southeast Utah Health District under the statewide Utah Administrative Code R317-4, not directly by Carbon County. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo Carbon County-specific greywater ordinance was found; it appears the Southeast Utah Health District applies the statewide R317-401 permitting process, though this isn't fully confirmed.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricts rainwater collection; this appears to follow the general state allowance under Utah Code 73-3-1.5.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedLand divisions require proof of a water source, either a district connection/Scofield share, a cistern meeting Health Department rules, or a well/spring approved by the Utah Division of Water Rights, which regulates well drilling statewide. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo ordinance explicitly bans full off-grid living, but county subdivision approval effectively requires proof of a culinary water source and minimum fire-flow standards before development proceeds. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.9 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 4.2 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,685 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 14 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,634 (cold)
Frost-free season: May 12 to Oct 8

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Castleview Hospital: 22.6 mi
Fire station: none within range
Hardware store Harbor Freight Tools: 20.3 mi
Grocery Miners Trading Post: 1.5 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 84520).

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.