Off-grid site report
Florence County, WI
45.9224, -88.2519 · 1,289 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Florence County, WI, 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 rulesFlorence County, WI
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyFlorence County has a Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance administered by the county Planning and Zoning Committee, but coverage depends on whether each town board has approved it; some towns may default to an older ordinance or have gaps. Shoreland/wetland/floodplain zoning also applies countywide under state law.
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedThe county zoning ordinance requires minimum public street frontage and emergency-vehicle-accessible roads before it issues a habitation permit; tiny homes and RVs used as permanent dwellings would need to meet these plus state UDC rules. Not confirmed whether a separate RV-as-dwelling rule exists.
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedFlorence County enforces the state Uniform Dwelling Code itself using certified inspectors, and requires proof of water supply and sewage disposal before issuing a habitation permit. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedState law (Wis. Stat. §145.195) requires review before a building permit issues, and Florence County's Sanitary Ordinance is the local mechanism for meeting POWTS standards; composting toilets still need to meet state SPS 383 effluent rules. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Florence County-specific greywater ordinance was found; the state DSPS plumbing code appears to be the applicable authority by default. Not confirmed whether the county adds restrictions.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on rainwater harvesting was found; the state baseline (no permit needed for outdoor non-potable use, DSPS code governs indoor/potable reuse) appears to apply by default.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWells fall under the statewide DNR Well and Pump Code (NR 812); Florence County's Health Department runs a certified lab and recommends annual testing but doesn't add construction permitting beyond the state code.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Florence County ordinance directly addresses disconnecting from electric or municipal utilities, though zoning's water/sewage/access requirements for habitable structures could indirectly affect an off-grid plan. Confirm directly with the county Zoning Administrator.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.5 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.5 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,273 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 29 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 56 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 9,234 (severe)
- Frost-free season
- May 27 to Sep 20
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Marshfield Medical Center - Dickinson - 12.6 mi
- Fire station
Kingsford Fire Department - 11.0 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 0.3 mi
- Grocery
Pat's Foods - 0.3 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 54121).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Florence County, WI?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 22, 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.