Off-grid site report
Montgomery County, VA
37.2063, -80.3981 · 2,097 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Montgomery County, VA, 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 rulesMontgomery County, VA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedMontgomery County's Planning Department enforces a countywide zoning ordinance for unincorporated land, with districts governing land use, setbacks, and accessory structures; a zoning permit must be approved before a building permit is issued. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyCounty pages confirm dwellings need zoning and building review, but no official source addresses tiny homes on foundations vs. wheels specifically; confirm directly with Planning & GIS Services. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe county's Building Inspections Office enforces Virginia's statewide Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) for unincorporated areas, covering permits, plan review, and inspections. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Montgomery County Health Department (New River Health District) issues septic construction permits, required before a certificate of occupancy; composting toilets fall under state VDH rules by default. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo county-specific greywater ordinance was found; greywater is regulated at the state level by VDH/DEQ and administered locally by the New River Health District. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedRainwater harvesting is governed by the statewide VDH framework, including Tier 4 permit registration for non-potable systems; no county-specific rule was found. source
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells require a construction permit and fee through the Montgomery County Health Department / New River Health District before a building permit can be finalized. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance was found mandating grid electric connection, but the county's permitting process practically requires approved well and septic systems before occupancy sign-off.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,355 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 41 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 25 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,445 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 29 to Oct 9
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
LewisGale Hospital Montgomery - 1.5 mi
- Fire station
Blacksburg Fire Station #1 - 1.9 mi
- Hardware store
Northwest Ace Hardware - 2.4 mi
- Grocery
Oasis World Market - 0.7 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 24062).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Montgomery County, VA?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.