Off-grid site report

Harney County, OR

43.6432, -118.8227 · 4,170 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Harney County, OR, 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 rulesHarney County, OR

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyHarney County has an adopted countywide Zoning Ordinance implementing Oregon's statewide land-use goals, including Exclusive Farm and Range Use zones. Applications for building on raw land go through the county's consolidated Land Use Permit Application. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyThe county ordinance separately defines manufactured dwellings, RVs, and code-built dwellings, but specific parcel-level occupancy rules for tiny homes/RVs are not confirmed; ask the Planning Department for your zone. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedBuilding permits are required and issued locally by Harney County's Building Program, referencing Oregon's statewide dwelling code standards. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedHarney County's Onsite Sanitation office administers septic permitting as DEQ's local agent, covering six counties; a Land Use Compatibility Statement is required for permits. Composting toilets specifically are not confirmed. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Harney County-specific greywater ordinance was found; this likely defaults to Oregon DEQ's statewide greywater program, but that is not confirmed locally. Ask the county's Onsite Sanitation office.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county-level rainwater harvesting rule was found in the materials reviewed; Oregon has a general state exemption but county-specific conditions are not confirmed.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedDomestic wells are permitted under Oregon Water Resources Department rules, but the Harney Basin is under active state review for critical groundwater area designation due to significant water table decline, making new well security less certain here than elsewhere.

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedLiving off-grid is allowed in principle, but Harney County ties building permit approval to proof of an approved septic/wastewater system, per the county's Onsite Sanitation office. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.3 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,532 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 11 in/yr
Snowfall: 34 in/yr
Heating degree days: 7,689 (severe)

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Harney District Hospital: 12.5 mi
Fire station: none within range
Hardware store: none within range
Grocery Safeway: 12.3 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 97738).

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.