Off-grid site report

McLean County, ND

47.4906, -100.7110 · 1,926 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for McLean County, ND, 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 rulesMcLean County, ND

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyMcLean County's Planning & Zoning Commission administers a countywide zoning ordinance that governs unincorporated land since no township has adopted its own; agricultural/rural districts are most permissive but setbacks and district rules vary by parcel. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyThe county ordinance addresses setbacks and distinguishes site-built from moved-in homes, but a specific minimum dwelling size for McLean County is not confirmed; ask the Land Use Administrator. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedMcLean County requires a building permit application with site plan, floor plans, and septic permit if applicable, issued through the Tax Equalization/Land Use Administration office; variance approval must happen first if needed. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedFirst District Health Unit requires a permit before any onsite sewage system installation or repair, plus a final inspection before backfilling; work must be done by an NDDEQ-licensed installer or certified owner. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo McLean County-specific greywater ordinance was found; treat greywater under FDHU's general onsite wastewater permitting authority until confirmed otherwise.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county ordinance specifically addresses rainwater catchment, so the permissive state baseline applies; structural or underground tanks may need a standard building permit.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate domestic wells are permitted and mostly fall under the state's water appropriation permitting threshold administered by the ND Department of Water Resources; well work must be done by a licensed contractor. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo McLean County ordinance requiring grid electric connection was identified in the sections reviewed, but this should be confirmed directly with the Land Use Administrator since the review was not exhaustive. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.6 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.6 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,355 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 18 in/yr
Snowfall: 39 in/yr
Heating degree days: 8,995 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 14 to Sep 23

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital CHI Saint Alexius Health Turtle Lake: 8.8 mi
Fire station: none within range
Hardware store: none within range
Grocery Holen's SuperValue: 12.5 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 58559).

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.