Off-grid site report
Lehigh County, PA
40.5571, -75.3986 · 410 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Lehigh County, PA, 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 rulesLehigh County, PA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyLehigh County has no countywide zoning ordinance; each city, borough, and township adopts its own under the state Municipalities Planning Code, with its own Zoning Officer and Zoning Hearing Board. The county's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance only applies where a municipality hasn't adopted its own. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyNo countywide standard for tiny homes or RV occupancy; each municipality sets its own zoning and building rules, though Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code baseline applies where adopted. Confirm with your specific township or borough zoning office.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedPennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code sets a statewide baseline, but permits and inspections are administered by each municipality, and some townships may not require inspections at all. Not confirmed at the county level; check with your local building/code office.
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedOn-lot sewage systems are permitted through each township's Sewage Enforcement Officer under the state Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537) and DEP regulations, not directly by the county. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo separate Lehigh County or municipal greywater ordinance was found; it appears to fall under the same state Act 537/DEP framework as septic, administered locally by SEOs.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedRainwater harvesting for non-potable use follows the state baseline, with no Lehigh County-specific rule found; it cannot serve as a permanent residence's sole approved potable water supply.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPennsylvania's DEP does not regulate private wells, and Lehigh County's Agricultural Center and the DEP Bethlehem District Office both support residents with well-water test kits. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo state or county law requires grid, water, or sewer connection, but whether a municipality requires a utility hookup for an occupancy permit depends on that township or borough's own ordinance.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.1 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,305 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 45 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 33 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,800 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 24 to Oct 16
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Montgomery County Emergency Service - Crisis Services - 29.1 mi
- Fire station
East Side Station - 4.9 mi
- Hardware store
Saucon True Value - 3.2 mi
- Grocery
The Fresh 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 18034).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Lehigh County, PA?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 21, 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.