Off-grid site report
Elbert County, CO
39.3467, -104.4636 · 6,398 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Elbert 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 rulesElbert County, CO
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedElbert County has a countywide Land Use/Zoning Code administered by Community & Development Services; parcels under 35 acres typically need subdivision review before development. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyPermanent homes must meet the International Residential Code per the Building Department; tiny houses on wheels are classified as RVs under the Land Use Code and restricted from year-round occupancy. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe Elbert County Building Department requires permits for most new construction, remodels, and repairs in unincorporated areas. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedElbert County Public Health administers OWTS permits under state Regulation 43; a permit, site visit, and design/soils info are required, and self-installers must pass an ECPH exam. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Elbert County page describing a locally adopted greywater program was found; not confirmed, so ask Elbert County Public Health directly.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Elbert County-specific rainwater page was found; the county appears to defer to statewide Colorado rules on rain barrel collection, but this is not confirmed locally.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedNew wells require a permit from the Colorado Division of Water Resources/State Engineer statewide; Elbert County's well office handles local testing and records, not permitting itself. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo countywide mandate for grid or municipal hookup was found, so off-grid power appears unrestricted, but a Certificate of Occupancy for a permanent dwelling still requires septic sign-off from Public Health. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.4 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,667 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 20 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,632 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- May 17 to Oct 1
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
AdventHealth Parker Hospital - 21.4 mi
- Fire station
Kiowa Fire Protection District Station 221 - 0.2 mi
- Hardware store
Tech Instrumentation - 6.9 mi
- Grocery
Safeway - 7.9 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 80117).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Elbert 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.