Off-grid site report

Williams County, ND

48.1465, -103.6182 · 1,883 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Williams County, ND, 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 rulesWilliams County, ND

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyWilliams County Planning & Zoning Division administers countywide zoning in unincorporated areas only, adopted in 2015 under state authority; towns like Williston have their own separate ordinances. Unzoned parcels default to Agricultural, and pre-existing nonconforming uses are protected. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo published countywide standard for tiny homes or RVs as permanent dwellings was found; confirm directly with the Planning & Zoning Division. Williston's municipal code (city limits only) does address modular/manufactured housing separately.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedWilliams County requires a building permit for most construction, alteration, or occupancy changes, following the state building code plus a county fire code, with small exemptions like tool sheds under a set size. Applications require proof of septic, electrical, and water arrangements. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted through the Upper Missouri District Health Unit under the state licensing framework (NDCC 23.1-07.1); composting toilets are not addressed in available materials, so confirm directly with UMDHU. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Williams County or UMDHU page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; this appears to be an unaddressed gap, so contact UMDHU for a determination.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on rainwater harvesting was found; nothing suggests a departure from the state's generally permissive posture, but this is not explicitly confirmed at the county level.

Private wells & water rights

Varies locallyThe county's building permit checklist calls for a Water Supplier Agreement from Williams County Rural Water, suggesting rural water hookup is the common path; private well approval needs separate confirmation from the county and/or state.

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNothing found prohibits going off-grid, but the standard building permit process requests septic, electrical co-op, and water supplier documentation, implying conventional hookups are the norm; discuss off-grid alternatives directly with the Building Division.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.7 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.6 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,363 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 14 in/yr
Snowfall: 45 in/yr
Heating degree days: 8,996 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 20 to Sep 19

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital CHI St. Alexius Health - Williston Medical Center: 1.4 mi
Fire station Williston Rural Fire Department: 1.2 mi
Hardware store Ace Hardware: 1.5 mi
Grocery CashWise: 0.7 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 58803).

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 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.