Off-grid site report

Allegheny County, PA

40.4507, -80.0248 · 751 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Allegheny County, PA, 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 rulesAllegheny County, PA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyNo countywide zoning exists; each of Allegheny County's 130 municipalities sets its own zoning. ACED is the county planning agency and reviews subdivisions for municipalities lacking their own ordinance, but use and lot rules are municipal. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyPennsylvania's statewide building code is the baseline, but whether tiny homes or RVs can be permanent dwellings is decided by each municipality's zoning office; not confirmed at the county level.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedPennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code, administered by the state Department of Labor & Industry, applies everywhere, but permits are issued and enforced by each municipality (or Pittsburgh's PLI office) or a certified third-party agency. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedThe Allegheny County Health Department enforces Article XIV of its Rules and Regulations, requiring permits for septic systems and non-sewered toilets like composting units, with inspection authority. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo distinct county greywater ordinance was found; ACHD's Article XIV treats wastewater generally as sewage, following the state's approach. source

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Allegheny County-specific rainwater ordinance was found; this appears to fall back to the state baseline allowing non-potable use, but this is not confirmed for the county and ACHD should be asked directly.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedThe Allegheny County Health Department tests private well water for bacteria and enforces plumbing code covering private water supply and drainage, in addition to state well-driller licensing. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo county ordinance requiring utility hookups was found; this is set by each municipality as a condition of building or occupancy permits.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.3 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.4 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,185 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 35 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,564 (cold)

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Western Psychiatric Hospital: 3.5 mi
Fire station Fire Station Number 36: 1.4 mi
Hardware store West Park American Hardware: 3.0 mi
Grocery ALDI: 1.9 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 15233).

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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.