Off-grid site report
Chaffee County, CO
38.5518, -106.2913 · 9,551 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Chaffee County, CO, 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 rulesChaffee County, CO
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedChaffee County has a countywide Land Use Code (updated effective January 1, 2025) covering zoning, setbacks, subdivisions, and state-interest area review; this differs from Colorado counties with no zoning at all. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyThe Land Use Code allows RVs during building under a limited-review process, but permanent RV or tiny home residency outside that context isn't clearly settled in county materials reviewed; confirm with Planning & Zoning. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe Chaffee County Building Department requires separate permits for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and septic work, and requires proof of legal water and sewer before issuing a building permit. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedOWTS (septic) permits are issued by the county Building Department, installers must be county-licensed and state-exam certified, and Environmental Health reviews site suitability; composting toilet specifics were not confirmed. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedThe county Building Department maintains a distinct Graywater Application, indicating a permitted local program, though detailed standards beyond the form weren't confirmed. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Chaffee County-specific rainwater ordinance was found; absent a local rule, the state's baseline allowance for small-scale rooftop collection is presumed to apply. Confirm with the county if you have specific plans.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedWell permitting is handled by the Colorado Division of Water Resources (State Engineer's Office), not the county; Chaffee County falls in Water Division 2. The county requires proof of a well permit at building-permit stage. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo countywide ordinance found requiring grid electric or municipal water/sewer connection; the county instead requires proof of some legal water/sewer solution (well/septic or municipal) at building-permit stage. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 6.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,735 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 10 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 43 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,331 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- May 31 to Sep 18
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Gunnison Valley Hospital - 34.2 mi
- Fire station
Pondorosa Lodge Colorado Firecamp - 5.4 mi
- Hardware store
True Value - 11.9 mi
- Grocery
LaGree's Food Store - 11.9 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 81227).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Chaffee County, CO?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →Share or save this report:New report
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.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.