Off-grid site report

Cattaraugus County, NY

42.3292, -78.8681 · 1,388 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Cattaraugus County, NY, 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 rulesCattaraugus County, NY

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyCattaraugus County has no countywide zoning code; each of the 34 towns, 9 villages, and 2 cities decides independently whether to have zoning and what it covers. Check with your specific town. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county-level rule on tiny homes or RVs was found; since the county opted out of Uniform Code enforcement, this is governed by each town's own building code applying the state Uniform Code. Not confirmed at the county level. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedCattaraugus County opted out of enforcing the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and Energy Code, so each town or village runs its own code enforcement office and permit process. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedThe Cattaraugus County Health Department's Environmental Health Division requires a permit for any onsite wastewater system installation or repair, following NYS Sanitary Code standards. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific greywater policy was found; it likely falls under the same onsite wastewater permitting rules as septic, but this is not confirmed. Ask the Environmental Health Division. source

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Cattaraugus County ordinance or health department page addressing rainwater harvesting was found; the state baseline is assumed to apply, but this is not confirmed locally.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedThe county Health Department states no permit is needed to install a private well; it's covered under your town building permit, and the county notes private wells are not routinely monitored for safety. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyThe county sets no requirement to connect to utilities; whether a home can be off-grid depends entirely on the zoning and building law (if any) of the specific town where the land sits. 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): 1.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,187 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 48 in/yr
Snowfall: 119 in/yr
Heating degree days: 7,615 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 20 to Oct 2

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Bertrand Chaffee Hospital: 16.4 mi
Fire station Cattaraugus Volunteer Fire District: 0.6 mi
Hardware store Ace Hardware & Gui's Lumber: 14.6 mi
Grocery SHOP 'n SAVE: 9.9 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 14719).

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.