Off-grid site report

Golden Valley County, MT

46.2575, -109.2743 · 3,799 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Golden Valley County, MT, 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 rulesGolden Valley County, MT

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Unclear - verifyMontana counties may adopt zoning by resolution but it's optional; no Golden Valley County zoning resolution or map could be verified online. Confirm with the county courthouse in Ryegate. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyNo county rule found, so the Montana state default applies: IRC Appendix Q for foundation tiny homes, RV rules for wheeled tiny homes.

Building permits & codes

Unclear - verifyMontana exempts single-family homes from state building permitting unless a county has opted into local permitting jurisdiction; whether Golden Valley County has opted in is not confirmed and must be asked of the county directly. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedMontana DEQ sets statewide minimum wastewater standards and local health boards or sanitarians administer septic permits; no Golden Valley County-specific health department page was found, so confirm who holds this role locally. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo county-specific rule found; the Montana state administrative rule allowing permit-free indoor greywater reuse through a compliant system, with limits on subsurface irrigation, applies by default.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricting rooftop rainwater collection was found; Montana has no statutory prohibition on personal non-potable use.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedNo county-specific well ordinance found; statewide, Montana DNRC's exempt-well provision allows small wells without a pre-drilling permit but requires filing a notice of completion with DNRC's regional office.

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo state statute requires grid connection and no Golden Valley County ordinance on off-grid occupancy was found; confirm directly with the county before purchasing land.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.9 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.6 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,403 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 15 in/yr
Heating degree days: 7,058 (cold)

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Wheatland Memorial Healthcare: 29.7 mi
Fire station Ryegate Fire Department: 2.9 mi
Hardware store: none within range
Grocery Super D: 2.9 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 59074).

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.