Off-grid site report

Ramsey County, ND

48.1583, -99.0885 · 1,440 ft elevation

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

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyRamsey County has no countywide zoning ordinance; zoning authority is deferred to individual townships and cities, some of which (like Prospect Township) have their own ordinances. Check with the specific township or city where the land is located. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyNo countywide rule on tiny homes, RVs, or minimum dwelling size; this falls to township or city ordinance if one exists. Prospect Township, for example, permits single-family dwellings and manufactured homes. source

Building permits & codes

Unclear - verifyNo standalone Ramsey County building permit ordinance was found; building requirements likely run through the applicable township/city, with sewage permitting handled separately by the Lake Region District Health Unit. Confirm directly with your township or city and with LRDHU. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Lake Region District Health Unit administers septic (OSTS) permitting for Ramsey County, requiring a permit before any construction or alteration of a septic tank, drain field, cesspool, or holding tank. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Ramsey County or LRDHU page specifically addresses standalone greywater reuse separate from full septic permitting; ask LRDHU how they want greywater systems handled.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Ramsey County ordinance on rainwater harvesting was found; the county appears to inherit the state's generally permissive approach, but this is not locally confirmed.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells are allowed; Ramsey County's Water Resource Board reviews drainage and dike/dam matters locally, while the state Department of Water Resources issues conditional water permits for appropriation beyond exempt domestic or stock use. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo Ramsey County ordinance requiring grid utility connection was found; since there is no countywide zoning, any such rule would come from a township or city, not the county itself.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.4 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.6 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,298 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 20 in/yr
Heating degree days: 9,239 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 3 to Oct 4

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Chi Saint Alexius Health Devils Lake: 11.4 mi
Fire station Devil's Lake Rural Fire Department: 11.0 mi
Hardware store: none within range
Grocery Leevers Foods South: 11.0 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 58362).

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.