Off-grid site report

Midland County, MI

43.6608, -84.2402 · 630 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Midland County, MI, 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 rulesMidland County, MI

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyMidland County has no countywide zoning ordinance; each township (and the City of Midland) sets its own zoning rules for land use, setbacks, and permitted development. Always check with the specific township office where the parcel is located. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyWhether tiny homes or RVs can be used as permanent dwellings depends on the individual township's ordinance; this is not settled at the county level. Charter Township of Midland's ordinance does regulate temporary dwellings during construction, requiring HUD-compliant mobile homes with health-department-approved water and sanitary facilities. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedBuilding, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits for the townships are handled by the Township Code Authority (TCA) of Midland County, with a zoning permit typically required before the building permit; the City of Midland runs its own separate Building Department. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedSeptic systems require a permit from the Midland County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Services, which reviews applications (submitted on paper, not online) against its minimum system requirements. Composting toilets are not addressed in any official county page I found, so that status is not confirmed. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Midland County-specific rule on greywater reuse was found; the state's Plumbing Code/Residential Code framework, administered through Michigan LARA with local TCA or City inspection, likely applies by default. Confirm directly with the Township Code Authority or the county health department.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Midland County ordinance or health department page specifically addressing rainwater harvesting was located, so this is not confirmed at the county level.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWells are permitted countywide by the Midland County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Services, which also handles system evaluations and water testing. source
Living disconnected from utilities
RestrictedAt least one township ordinance (Charter Township of Midland) requires water supply and sanitary facilities on a dwelling parcel to be inspected and approved by the county health department before occupancy, suggesting full off-grid disconnection isn't accommodated there; this has not been confirmed township by township across the county. source

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)
2.1 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,275 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
32 in/yr
Heating degree days
6,905 (cold)
Frost-free season
May 2 to Oct 11

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
MyMichigan Medical Center Midland
1.9 mi
Fire station
Fire Station No. 3
1.4 mi
Hardware store
The Home Depot
0.2 mi
Grocery
ALDI
0.1 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 48670).

Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt

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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.