Off-grid site report
Ouray County, CO
38.0228, -107.6714 · 7,819 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Ouray County, CO, 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 rulesOuray County, CO
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyOuray County has countywide zoning with eight districts and differing setbacks; a single-family home is generally allowed outright only on parcels of 35 acres or more, or on parcels created through approved subdivision/exemption, per the county's zoning code. Smaller parcels may need a Special Use Permit from the Board of County Commissioners. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyPermanent dwellings must meet zoning and building code requirements; long-term RV/camping use is allowed as a use by right in most zones under a county camping ordinance but is time-limited and tied to sanitation method. Claims of a specific tiny-home square-footage rule were not confirmed on an official county page. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedOuray County requires building permits processed through its CloudPermit system and has adopted the 2018 IBC, IRC, and IECC codes; foundation inspections require a Colorado-registered professional engineer. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedSince public sewer is unavailable across most of the unincorporated county, an individually permitted OWTS/septic system is required, engineered under the state's Regulation 43 and permitted by the county Land Use Department. Composting toilet rules specifically were not confirmed. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo official Ouray County page confirming adoption of the state-authorized local greywater program was found; ask the Land Use Department directly whether the county has opted in.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Ouray County-specific rainwater ordinance was found; the state's general household rain-barrel allowance likely applies by default, but this isn't confirmed at the county level.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedAll well permits, including small exempt domestic wells, are issued by the state Division of Water Resources (Montrose office), not the county; the county separately notifies DWR before issuing certain building permits for additional dwelling units. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo countywide ordinance was found requiring connection to grid power or municipal water/sewer; off-grid power, hauled water, or well water appear viable as long as standard building, septic, and well permits are obtained. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.5 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.3 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,521 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 24 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,522 (severe)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Telluride Regional Medical Center - 9.9 mi
- Fire station
Telluride Fire Department - 9.6 mi
- Hardware store
Ouray Hardware and Mercantile - 0.1 mi
- Grocery
Ouray Grocery - 0.0 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 81427).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Ouray County, CO?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 21, 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.