Off-grid site report

Lebanon County, PA

40.3430, -76.4234 · 472 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Lebanon 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 rulesLebanon County, PA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyNo countywide zoning ordinance exists; each township/borough and the City of Lebanon adopts its own zoning under the PA Municipalities Planning Code, with the Lebanon County Planning Department often acting as administrator. You must check your specific municipality's ordinance. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Lebanon County or municipal source specifically addresses tiny homes on wheels or long-term RV occupancy; this falls to individual township zoning and the state UCC baseline. Confirm with your township zoning officer.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe PA Uniform Construction Code is enforced locally, by the Lebanon County Planning Department for most municipalities or by contracted third-party agencies, and the City of Lebanon uses its own separate inspection contractors. Zoning permits and building permits are separate applications. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe Lebanon County Planning Department enforces the state Sewage Facilities Act of 1965 for most municipalities, requiring soil evaluation and design review for new or major-repair permits; some townships add their own pumping/inspection maintenance programs. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo county-specific greywater rule was found; greywater is presumed to fall under the same state Sewage Facilities Act as septic, requiring a permitted disposal system. Not confirmed beyond the state baseline at the county level.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Lebanon County source addresses rainwater harvesting; presumed to follow the state baseline allowing non-potable use but not approval as a sole potable supply for a permanent residence. Not confirmed locally.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPennsylvania licenses well drillers through DCNR, but that licensing requirement does not apply to homeowners drilling their own well on their own land, and there's no state construction standard for private wells. No Lebanon County well ordinance was found. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo blanket utility-connection mandate for occupancy was found at the county level; any such requirement would be enforced at the certificate-of-occupancy stage by the municipality or the Lebanon County Planning Department. Confirm with your specific township building office. source

Open the full county page with sources →

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
1,263 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
43 in/yr
Snowfall
21 in/yr
Heating degree days
5,755 (cold)
Frost-free season
Apr 25 to Oct 17

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Align Pregnancy Services Ephrata
17.1 mi
Fire station
Borough of Cornwall Fire Station
5.0 mi
Hardware store
PaulB Hardware
14.3 mi
Grocery
Giant
1.5 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 17042).

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