Off-grid site report
Putnam County, WV
38.5336, -81.8919 · 591 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Putnam County, WV, 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 rulesPutnam County, WV
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyPutnam County zoning, adopted by the Planning Commission, only applies in mapped 'zoned unincorporated areas' like the Teays Valley/US-35 corridor; land outside those maps isn't governed by the zoning ordinance, though some commercial site plans elsewhere still get erosion/stormwater review. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyIn zoned areas the county ordinance sets minimum dwelling size and bans smooth flat metal exterior/roof sheeting, and RVs are addressed mainly as an RV-park use needing a site plan and Health Department standards; rules for standalone dwellings/RVs outside zoned areas are not confirmed. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyBuilding permits in the zoned areas are tied to the county's Development Permit/site-plan process overseen by the Planning Officer, with licensure requirements for contractors; whether a permit is required outside zoned areas is not confirmed, so ask the county's Planning & Infrastructure office. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Putnam County Health Department administers on-site sewage permitting under state authority, requiring a certified installer and sometimes a state permit; composting toilets aren't addressed specifically in county materials. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Putnam-specific greywater rule was found; it appears to fall under the same Health Department on-site sewage permitting framework as septic, which functions as the state baseline.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance or Health Department page addressing rainwater collection was found; this is not confirmed either way, so it likely defaults to the state's generally permissive baseline for non-potable use.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted through a certified well driller who evaluates the site and files an application with the Putnam County Health Department, which can also test well water for bacteria on request.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo rule mandates utility hookup for occupancy, but within a Putnam Public Service District service area, state law lets the PSD bill for water/sewer once service is deemed available, connected or not.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,256 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 40 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 12 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,663 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 15 to Nov 1
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
CAMC Teays Valley Hospital - 6.6 mi
- Fire station
Eleanor Volunteer Fire Station - 2.0 mi
- Hardware store
The Home Depot - 5.6 mi
- Grocery
Piggly Wiggly - 1.5 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 25168).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Putnam County, WV?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.