Off-grid site report

Erie County, NY

42.9713, -78.9182 · 607 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Erie County, NY, 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 rulesErie County, NY

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyErie County sets no unified zoning code; each of its 3 cities, 25 towns, and 15 villages adopts and enforces its own. The county DEP only reviews certain projects referred under NYS General Municipal Law Section 239. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Erie County-specific rule on tiny homes or RVs was found; this is set town-by-town at the local zoning/building level, so confirm with the specific municipality.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThere is no single Erie County building department; each town or city hall issues permits and enforces its own building code. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe Erie County Department of Health permits all private sewage disposal systems countywide under the Erie County Sanitary Code, requires a licensed design professional for new OWTS designs, and requires a Property Transfer Certification before selling a property with a septic system. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Erie County or ECDOH page on greywater reuse was found; this likely defaults to the New York State baseline, but confirm with ECDOH directly. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Erie County ordinance on rainwater harvesting was found; the state baseline treatment (generally permitted for non-potable use) likely applies by default. source
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedECDOH inspects and permits private wells at construction and property transfer, checking casing, cap, and separation from septic systems, on top of the state DEC requirement that wells be installed by a registered well contractor. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo countywide mandate forces grid connection, but some towns (West Seneca is a documented example) require connecting to public sewer once available and abandoning septic systems; check your specific town's code. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
4.3 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
2.0 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,223 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
40 in/yr
Snowfall
42 in/yr
Heating degree days
6,490 (cold)
Frost-free season
Apr 15 to Nov 13
Design low
1 °F

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Mercy Hospital - Mercy Hospital Orchard Park Division
15.1 mi
Fire station
River Road Voluteer Fire Station
0.6 mi
Hardware store
Valu Home Centers
2.9 mi
Grocery
Jerusalem Halal Market
3.1 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 14207).

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.