Off-grid site report

Tyler County, WV

39.4331, -80.8268 · 758 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Tyler 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 rulesTyler County, WV

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyI couldn't find any Tyler County Planning Commission or zoning ordinance on the county's official site, and West Virginia only allows counties to adopt zoning, it doesn't require it. So raw land in the unincorporated county appears unregulated by zoning, but you should confirm with the Tyler County Commission, since individual towns like Middlebourne, Sistersville, or Paden City may have their own separate rules. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on tiny homes, RVs, or minimum dwelling size turned up in my research, which lines up with there being no confirmed county zoning ordinance to attach such rules to. I'd call the Tyler County Commission directly before assuming anything goes.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyI could not find a Tyler County building department or a page confirming local adoption of the West Virginia State Building Code. Since that code is only mandatory where a county or town has adopted it, you'll want to ask the Tyler County Commission whether it applies here. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic and composting toilet systems are permitted through the Wetzel-Tyler Health Department, which issues permits under state design standards covering septic tanks, absorption fields, holding tanks, privies, and chemical or composting toilets. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedGreywater isn't banned, but it falls under the same onsite wastewater permitting the Wetzel-Tyler Health Department handles for septic systems, meaning it needs to be part of an approved design under state standards rather than just released freely.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedI found no Tyler County ordinance restricting rainwater collection, so this follows the state baseline of no statutory limit on gathering non-potable rainwater.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted through the Wetzel-Tyler Health Department, using the same application that covers septic systems, consistent with West Virginia's statewide Water Well Certification Program requiring a certified driller.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Tyler County ordinance requiring hookup to public water, sewer, or electric turned up in my research. It looks like off-grid living here is governed indirectly through septic and well permitting rather than a direct utility mandate, but confirm with the Tyler County Commission to be sure.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
4.4 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
2.5 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,212 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
45 in/yr
Snowfall
28 in/yr
Heating degree days
5,700 (cold)
Frost-free season
May 4 to Oct 8

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Sistersville General Hospital
12.8 mi
Fire station
West Union Volunteer Fire Department
9.9 mi
Hardware store
none within range
Grocery
Walmart Supercenter
15.5 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 26320).

Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt

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.