Off-grid site report

Clarion County, PA

41.2149, -79.3857 · 1,490 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Clarion County, PA, 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 rulesClarion County, PA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyClarion County has no countywide zoning ordinance; zoning authority rests entirely with the county's townships and boroughs, some of which have detailed codes (like Clarion Borough) and some of which may have none at all. The county's Planning Department only runs an advisory/backstop Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO). source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Clarion County-specific rule on tiny homes or RV occupancy was found; this would be governed by whichever municipal zoning ordinance applies to the parcel, or be unregulated where no zoning exists. Confirm with the local zoning officer.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedPennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code sets the baseline, but permits and inspections are administered locally by each municipality's zoning/building officer, not by the county. Clarion Borough's Housing and Zoning Officer is one example of who issues permits there.
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedUnder Pennsylvania's Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), septic permitting is administered locally by each municipality's certified Sewage Enforcement Officer (SEO), not by a county health department in Clarion County's case. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Clarion County-specific greywater ordinance was found, so it falls under the same state Act 537 framework enforced through local Sewage Enforcement Officers. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Clarion County restriction on rainwater harvesting for non-potable use was found; the state's general permissive baseline appears to apply.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are governed by Pennsylvania DEP standards; Clarion County's own services page directs residents to DEP well and septic resources rather than running a county well permitting office. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyWith no countywide zoning, there is no countywide requirement to connect to utilities; any such requirement would come from the specific township or borough's own zoning or occupancy rules. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
4.2 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
2.2 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,166 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
47 in/yr
Heating degree days
6,928 (cold)
Frost-free season
May 14 to Oct 6

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Clarion Hospital
1.7 mi
Fire station
Clarion Fire & Hose Co No. 1
0.1 mi
Hardware store
Clarion Builder's Supply
1.4 mi
Grocery
Aldi
1.3 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 16214).

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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.