Off-grid site report

Marion County, OR

44.7224, -123.0074 · 240 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Marion County, OR, 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 rulesMarion County, OR

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyMarion County has countywide rural zoning under Title 17 (e.g. the Acreage Residential zone), which the Planning Division administers and which requires adequate water and sewage capacity for any homesite. Raw land occupancy is further conditioned by state law (ORS 446.125) on approved water/sewage facilities. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedThe county's zoning code excludes mobile homes, travel trailers, and campers from its definition of 'dwelling,' and Marion County has its own ADU rules (no short-term rental under 45 days, no lot splits, wildfire code compliance). Whether RV-built tiny homes qualify as dwellings is not confirmed from an official county source. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedMarion County's Building Inspection Division issues permits under the state-adopted Oregon Structural Specialty Code, but no permit is issued until sewage disposal plans are approved, and no plumbed structure can be occupied until connected to an approved system. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedMarion County's Building Inspection Division administers Oregon DEQ's Onsite Sewage Disposal program locally as DEQ's contracted agent, following the standard state two-step process of site evaluation then construction permit. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Marion County-specific greywater ordinance was found; this appears to defer entirely to Oregon DEQ's statewide greywater program. Confirm with DEQ or the county Building Inspection Division whether any local layer applies.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Marion County-specific restriction on rainwater harvesting was found; this appears to simply inherit the state baseline allowance for rooftop collection. Confirm with the county on any plumbing-permit requirements for cistern tie-ins.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWell construction and water rights exemptions are governed entirely by the state Oregon Water Resources Department; Marion County has no separate well program but supports groundwater protection goals in its Comprehensive Plan. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedMarion County does not prohibit living off the utility grid, but building/occupancy permits require approved water supply and sewage disposal facilities first, per both county code and state law (ORS 446.125). 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): 1.7 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,176 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 52 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,730 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Mar 30 to Nov 4

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Samaritan Albany General Hospital: 8.2 mi
Fire station Station 14: 7.7 mi
Hardware store Lowe's: 7.4 mi
Grocery WinCo Foods: 6.4 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 97352).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

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.