Off-grid site report

Albany County, WY

41.3115, -105.5913 · 7,189 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Albany County, WY, 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 rulesAlbany County, WY

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedAlbany County has countywide zoning, unusual for rural Wyoming, requiring a zoning certificate before most construction or land-use changes per Wyoming Statute § 18-5-203, administered by the Albany County Planning Department. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Generally allowedHomes, cabins, modular and mobile homes are permitted with a zoning certificate from the county; RV-as-permanent-residence rules are not confirmed, so ask Planning directly. source

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyAlbany County has no countywide building code, though it recommends a national code standard for resale value; a zoning certificate is still required, and starting construction before county approval triggers a late fee. Incorporated towns like Laramie may have their own codes. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedUnlike most Wyoming counties, Albany County's Planning Department (Assistant Planner - Environmental), not WDEQ, issues wastewater permits locally; extra Professional Engineer/Geologist design requirements apply in the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone. source

Greywater reuse

Generally allowedNo Albany County-specific greywater rule was found, so the state DEQ wastewater reuse framework applies as the governing rule. source

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Albany County or state rule prohibiting rainwater harvesting was found; not confirmed if the county has any additional local restriction.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedAlbany County does not permit wells at all; all well permitting is handled by the Wyoming State Engineer's Office, including licensed drilling and a required Statement of Completion. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedNo Albany County ordinance requires connection to grid electric, gas, or municipal water/sewer; off-grid power setups appear accepted under the state baseline, though subdivision covenants could differ. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.4 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.8 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,583 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 11 in/yr
Heating degree days: 8,767 (severe)
Frost-free season: Jun 5 to Sep 8

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Ivinson Memorial Hospital: 1.8 mi
Fire station Laramie Fire Department Station 1: 0.0 mi
Hardware store Ace Hardware: 0.1 mi
Grocery Big Hollow Food Co-op: 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 82071).

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.