Off-grid site report
Eagle County, CO
39.6545, -106.8280 · 6,628 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Eagle 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 rulesEagle County, CO
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyUnincorporated Eagle County is zoned under ECLUR Article 3, with setbacks and dimensional standards set by Table 3-340 or an applicable PUD Guide. Towns like Vail, Avon, Eagle, Gypsum, and Minturn run separate municipal zoning codes that override ECLUR inside town limits. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyEagle County's adopted 2021 IRC with Appendix AQ recognizes code-built tiny houses as legal dwellings, and ADUs are permitted under ECLUR Section 3-310. Full-time RV or tiny-house-on-wheels occupancy as a primary residence outside a park setting is not confirmed as permitted, so confirm with Planning.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedEagle County requires permits for construction, alteration, or addition to buildings in unincorporated areas, based on the 2021 IRC/IMC/IFGC/IECC plus the state-adopted National Electrical Code. Plumbing and fuel gas follow Colorado's statewide code. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedEagle County requires a permit for all new OWTS installations, alterations, or repairs, and installers/cleaners must hold a county-specific System Contractor license. Composting toilet rules specifically aren't confirmed, so ask Environmental Health. source
Greywater reuse
Largely prohibitedAlthough Colorado legalized graywater reuse statewide under HB 24-1362, Eagle County's Board of Health chose to formally prohibit it locally, citing lack of regulatory framework and staff. This makes Eagle County stricter than the state default. source
Rainwater harvesting
RestrictedNo Eagle County-specific rule was found, so the state baseline governs (limited barrel collection allowed; larger systems require water rights/well permit involvement). Confirm with the state if you want a bigger cistern setup.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedEagle County Environmental Health does not issue well permits or track water rights; this is handled entirely by Colorado's Division of Water Resources, Division 5, which covers Eagle County. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo Eagle County ordinance was found requiring grid electric or municipal water connection for a permitted dwelling, so off-grid power and hauled/well water appear workable if septic, well, and building rules are met. Towns inside the county may set their own requirements, so check municipal code separately.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.4 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,585 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 11 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 47 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,593 (severe)
- Frost-free season
- May 21 to Sep 27
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Vail Health Vail Campus - 23.7 mi
- Fire station
Town of Eagle Fire Department - 0.3 mi
- Hardware store
Heartwood Custom Woodworks - 0.6 mi
- Grocery
City Market - 0.6 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 81631).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Eagle 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.