Off-grid site report
Imperial County, CA
32.6788, -115.4983 · -3 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Imperial 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 rulesImperial County, CA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedImperial County has countywide zoning under Title 9, the Land Use Ordinance, administered by ICPDS. Raw-land occupancy outside a legal residence isn't generally permitted; RVs are allowed only as temporary dwellings tied to a permit or briefly as accessory use. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedICPDS is the state's local enforcement agency for mobile home parks under Title 25. Long-term RV/tiny home living outside a licensed park isn't generally permitted; permanent dwellings need full building permits and, for manufactured homes, HCD Form 433A.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedICPDS Building & Safety enforces the state Building Code and local rules countywide; permits require sign-off from Environmental Health, Fire, Public Works, and Zoning before issuance. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedPer the county's septic ordinance, enforced by the Public Health Environmental Health Division, any occupied building generating sewage not on public sewer must connect to a permitted OWTS. Composting toilets as a standalone alternative are not confirmed, ask Environmental Health directly.
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo county-specific greywater ordinance was found; the state Plumbing Code appears to be the operative standard, enforced through county building permits. Not confirmed whether any additional local standard exists.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Imperial County ordinance restricting rooftop rainwater harvesting was found; state law governs. Not confirmed whether the county has added any local restriction.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedUnusually, ICPDS (not the health department) is the designated Local Enforcing Agency for wells, and Title 9, Division 21 requires a Conditional Use Permit through ICPDS for well construction, reconstruction, or destruction. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo standalone ordinance bans full off-grid living, but building permits effectively require a documented water source or agreement, making pure off-grid disconnection hard for a permitted dwelling. Not confirmed whether solar-only electrical setups face extra county scrutiny.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 6.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 5.4 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,813 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 3 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 0 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 864 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Jan 14 to Dec 31
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
IMSS Clínica 16 - 2.6 mi
- Fire station
Calexico Fire Station 1 - 0.8 mi
- Hardware store
ECON - 0.4 mi
- Grocery
El Sol Market - 0.1 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 92232).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Imperial 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.