Off-grid site report

Roscommon County, MI

44.2982, -84.6810 · 1,145 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Roscommon County, MI, 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 rulesRoscommon County, MI

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyRoscommon County has no county-wide zoning ordinance; each township or village (e.g., Roscommon Township, Denton Township) sets its own rules on land use and lot occupancy. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county-level rule on tiny homes or RV dwelling was found; this is set township by township, and even sheds require a local land-use permit in Roscommon Township, so tiny homes/RVs likely face similar local scrutiny. Confirm with your specific township. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedThe county does not issue building permits; Denton, Lake, Markey, Backus and Roscommon Townships jointly run the Houghton Lake Building Agency to enforce the state construction code, and the Village of Roscommon has its own separate process. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedThe Central Michigan District Health Department (CMDHD) permits septic systems for Roscommon County, requires a reserve drainfield area with no exceptions, and construction without a permit violates the sanitary code. Composting toilet policy is not confirmed, ask CMDHD directly. source

Greywater reuse

Generally allowedNo Roscommon County or CMDHD-specific greywater ordinance was found; this falls back to the statewide Michigan Plumbing/Residential Code baseline. Not confirmed at the county level.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county-specific rainwater harvesting ordinance was found; governed by the statewide baseline. Not confirmed at the county level.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedCMDHD permits and inspects private wells in Roscommon County, and a well permit is required before a building permit is issued; the state's EGLE serves as a backstop on groundwater contamination.

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo explicit county or township ban on full utility disconnection was found, but since building permits require an approved well and septic permit first, fully off-grid occupancy (no permitted water/sewage) is not confirmed as allowed. Ask CMDHD and your township building official directly.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.3 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 1.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,196 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 29 in/yr
Snowfall: 67 in/yr
Heating degree days: 8,142 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 22 to Sep 21

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital MyMichigan Medical Center West Branch: 21.8 mi
Fire station Denton Twp Fire Station: 1.4 mi
Hardware store The Home Depot: 0.2 mi
Grocery Walmart Supercenter: 0.2 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 48651).

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.