Off-grid site report
Washington County, OH
39.4036, -81.4166Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Washington County, OH, 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 rulesWashington County, OH
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyWashington County has no countywide zoning code; zoning authority rests with individual townships under Ohio Revised Code 303/519. The county Planning Commission only handles subdivision review, not general land-use zoning, so raw-land occupancy rules depend on your specific township. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Washington County-specific rule on tiny homes or RV occupancy was found; this is governed by whichever township covers the parcel, where zoning exists. Confirm with the township zoning inspector or trustees.
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe Washington County Building Department, run through the Southeast Ohio Building Department (SEOBD), enforces the state Residential and Building Codes and requires submitted construction drawings and inspections before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Small accessory buildings like sheds 200 square feet or less are exempt. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Washington County Health Department permits and inspects home sewage treatment systems under state OAC 3701-29, including a mandatory Operation & Maintenance program with documented inspections. Composting toilets aren't separately addressed and likely fall under the same framework, not confirmed as distinct county policy.
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Washington County-specific greywater page was found; it likely falls under the same state OAC 3701-29 framework administered by the Health Department, but this is not confirmed locally. Ask the Health Department's Environmental Health division.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rainwater or cistern rule was found; rainwater for potable use falls under the statewide ODH Private Water System rules (OAC 3701-28), likely administered locally by the county Health Department, but not directly confirmed.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are regulated by the Washington County Health Department's Environmental Health division under state ORC 3701.344-347 and OAC 3701-28, requiring a permit before construction, alteration, or sealing of a private water system.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance was found requiring hookup to grid electric, water, or sewer. Any permitted structure still must meet Residential Code occupancy standards for a Certificate of Occupancy, and townships with zoning may add their own habitability requirements.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.5 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,239 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 43 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 19 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,229 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 22 to Oct 20
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Selby General Hospital - 2.9 mi
- Fire station
Williamstown Volunteer Fire Company - 2.1 mi
- Hardware store
Indoor Lumber Yard - 0.0 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 0.1 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 26187).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
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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.