Off-grid site report

Pocahontas County, WV

38.2901, -79.9306 · 2,651 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Pocahontas County, WV, 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 rulesPocahontas County, WV

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Generally allowedPocahontas County has no countywide zoning ordinance, confirmed by the county commission's own public statements that zoning is 'not on the radar.' Incorporated towns like Marlinton may have separate rules.

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific ordinance addressing tiny homes or RVs as dwellings was found; not confirmed at the county level, so check with the county commission or relevant town before relying on this.

Building permits & codes

Unclear - verifyNo county building-permit or inspection department appears on the county's official site for unincorporated areas; incorporated towns may require permits separately. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Pocahontas County Health Department administers septic (individual sewage) system regulation under West Virginia Department of Health design standards.

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo greywater-specific ordinance was found; greywater disposal falls under the same state sewage-system standards enforced locally by the county Health Department.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county restriction on rainwater harvesting was found, and the Health Department's own forms reference cisterns as a recognized water-supply category.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedThe Pocahontas County Health Department requires well permits and state-certified drillers under West Virginia Department of Health design standards, and offers water testing.

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedNo county ordinance requiring utility hookups was found; off-grid living appears tied only to Health Department septic and well compliance, not utility connection.

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): 3.3 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,296 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 46 in/yr
Snowfall: 61 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,447 (cold)
Frost-free season: May 12 to Oct 1

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Pocahontas Memorial Hospital: 11.5 mi
Fire station BFD Fire & Rescue: 11.4 mi
Hardware store Hardware Store: 8.4 mi
Grocery Wildcat Grocery: 8.9 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 24934).

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.