Off-grid site report
Roanoke County, VA
37.2654, -79.8914 · 1,116 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Roanoke County, VA, 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 rulesRoanoke County, VA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyRoanoke County's Zoning Division requires a permit for new structures, and allowed uses vary by zoning district under the County zoning ordinance. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedADUs are permitted under specific county standards, but a stand-alone tiny home on raw land or full-time RV living is not confirmed as an allowed primary residence; RVs must be parked behind the front building line or enclosed. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe County's Office of Building Safety enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, requiring plan review, inspections, and a Certificate of Occupancy that includes well/septic health department approval. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted through the Roanoke City/County Health District (a shared district office), which reviews applications from licensed soil evaluators or engineers; composting toilets fall back to the state VDH baseline. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific greywater ordinance was found; this appears to inherit the Virginia state rule, so confirm with the Roanoke Health District's environmental health division. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Roanoke County or VDH-Roanoke page addresses rainwater harvesting specifically; the state baseline (small rain barrels generally exempt, larger/potable systems needing state permitting) likely applies but is not locally confirmed.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells for Roanoke County residents are permitted through the same Roanoke City/County Health District process as septic; a separate Western Virginia Water Authority letter is needed if public water is being considered instead. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo explicit Roanoke County ordinance requires grid electric connection, but Certificate of Occupancy inspections and mandatory well/septic approval still apply regardless of grid status. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,340 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 41 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 17 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,143 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 7 to Oct 28
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center - 7.1 mi
- Fire station
RCFRD Station #2 - Vinton - 1.1 mi
- Hardware store
True Value - 3.1 mi
- Grocery
Kroger - 0.5 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 24179).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Roanoke County, VA?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 22, 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.