Off-grid site report
Oconto County, WI
44.8880, -87.8696 · 591 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Oconto County, WI, 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 rulesOconto County, WI
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedOconto County Planning, Zoning & Solid Waste Department administers countywide zoning, including general zoning, floodplain, shoreland, sanitary, and land division ordinances. Towns coordinate with the county, but county zoning has final authority. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyThe state Uniform Dwelling Code sets minimum standards for dwellings built since 1980, including seasonal and converted structures, but enforcement is delegated to each town or city's contracted inspector, so requirements vary by municipality. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyOconto County issues a land use/zoning permit that must be obtained before a local building permit is valid; the actual UDC building permit then comes from your town or city's own inspector. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedOconto County requires a POWTS (septic system) for all habitable structures, installed by a licensed plumber and permitted by the county; composting toilets/privies require a separate state-rule (SPS 391) permit process and don't exempt a dwelling from eventually needing a POWTS if plumbing is added. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo county-specific greywater ordinance was found; greywater falls under the state plumbing code framework enforced locally through the county's Sanitary Ordinance. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Oconto County ordinance on outdoor rainwater collection was found; this likely defaults to the Wisconsin state baseline, which is generally permissive outdoors and restricted indoors. Not confirmed at the county level.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWells are governed by Wisconsin DNR well code; Oconto County Public Health offers free well water testing for bacteria, nitrates, and metals to full-time residents, though private wells here aren't required to have wellhead protection plans. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Oconto County ordinance directly addresses disconnecting a legal dwelling from electric or gas utilities; the main enforced requirement remains sanitary/POWTS compliance regardless of grid connection. Not confirmed, ask the county Planning, Zoning & Solid Waste Department.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.5 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.3 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,301 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 32 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 45 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 8,160 (severe)
- Frost-free season
- May 11 to Oct 1
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Bellin Health Oconto Hospital and Clinic - 0.6 mi
- Fire station
Fire Station No. 2 - 13.4 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 0.1 mi
- Grocery
Thompson's County Market - 0.8 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 54153).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Oconto County, WI?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.