Off-grid site report
Kings County, CA
36.3298, -119.6659 · 246 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Kings County, CA, 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 rulesKings County, CA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedKings County's Community Development Agency administers a countywide Development Code with agricultural, residential, and other zoning districts; where and how you can occupy land depends on the district, and unpermitted occupancy can trigger nuisance/zoning enforcement. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedThe county's Code Compliance Division enforces against unpermitted dwellings, RVs used as housing, and abandoned vehicles; legal status of a tiny home or RV still depends on state HCD classification layered under county zoning. Not confirmed whether the county has a distinct tiny-house ordinance. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedKings County CDA requires digital submission of building plans through its Online Permit Center, and site plans must show setbacks for the well, septic system, and propane tank alongside the structure. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedA permit for private sewage disposal systems is required and reviewed as part of the building permit process; a specific county rule on composting toilets was not confirmed, so check directly with the CDA or Public Health. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo Kings County-specific greywater ordinance was found; the county appears to rely on the state's California Plumbing Code baseline. Not confirmed whether stricter local standards exist.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Kings County ordinance restricting rooftop rainwater collection was found, suggesting the state baseline applies. Not confirmed beyond that.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedKings County CDA is the state-designated Local Enforcing Agency for well permits (except in Hanford, Lemoore, Avenal, and NAS Lemoore); a county permit is required and work must be done by a licensed C-57 contractor under the county's Water Well Ordinance. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo dedicated county ordinance on fully off-grid, utility-disconnected living was found; the building permit process (requiring well/septic/propane disclosure) and code compliance enforcement act as the practical gatekeepers. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 6.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,645 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 9 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 0 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,586 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Feb 14 to Nov 30
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Adventist Medical Center Hanford - 0.3 mi
- Fire station
Stratford Fire Station - 13.0 mi
- Hardware store
The Home Depot - 0.3 mi
- Grocery
ALDI - 0.6 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 93230).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Kings County, CA?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.