Off-grid site report

Prince George's County, MD

38.8038, -77.0234 · 23 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Prince George's County, MD, 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 rulesPrince George's County, MD

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedPrince George's County has countywide zoning administered by M-NCPPC under the Zoning Ordinance (Subtitle 27), so it's not unzoned land anywhere in the county. You'll need to look up your specific parcel's zoning district and confirm allowed uses before assuming you can live off-grid on it. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyI couldn't find a Prince George's County-specific ordinance addressing tiny homes or RVs as permanent residences. There's an exemption for small (under 150 sq ft) accessory structures from permitting, but the county is explicit that these aren't meant for habitation, so that doesn't help you live in one legally. Call M-NCPPC/DPIE zoning to ask about your district before relying on a tiny home or RV as a full-time home. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedThe Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) requires a permit for essentially all new construction and most repair/replacement work, and multiple agencies (M-NCPPC for zoning/site plan, Health Department for well/septic) have to sign off along the way. Contact DPIE before you start any building project to find out exactly what's required for your situation. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedDPIE's Health Review Section issues well and septic permits for new construction, while the county Health Department handles repairs and remodels of failing systems, and percolation testing witnessed by the Health Department is required before any installation. Failing systems in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area may need an upgraded Best Available Technology system or a sewer connection. I found nothing specific to composting toilets, so treat that as unconfirmed and ask the Health Department directly. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyI didn't find any Prince George's County-specific greywater ordinance or program. It appears the county just defaults to Maryland's state-level rule (allowing greywater reuse from showers, tubs, and bathroom sinks), but there's no documented local variance confirming this, so check with the Health Department directly if you're planning a greywater system.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedDPIE has an established construction and inspection process for rainwater harvesting systems, including a checklist reviewed by a DPIE Site/Road Inspector, which tells me the county supports this practice as long as you go through their inspection process. source

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedWells are permitted through DPIE, but only in the portion of the county that falls outside the designated public water and sewer 'envelope.' Inside the envelope, it's generally not feasible to build on well and septic, and you'd need a special waiver from the Department of the Environment. Any new well also has to be drilled by a state-licensed driller from Maryland Department of the Environment's list, so confirm your parcel's zone with DPIE's Water and Sewer Planning Division before counting on a well. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyI didn't find a dedicated county ordinance that directly addresses going fully off-grid on electricity or utilities. That said, the county's Water and Sewer Plan says occupied residences will generally be required to connect to public sewer where it's available, and if not, the Health Department will push for a conventional or alternative septic system, which suggests you can't simply skip both. Ask DPIE and the Health Department directly about your specific parcel and plans. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.7 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.4 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,350 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 45 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,270 (moderate)

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital: none within range
Fire station Alexandria Volunteer Fire Station Company 205: 1.6 mi
Hardware store Lowe's: 3.9 mi
Grocery Giant: 3.6 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 22320).

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.