Off-grid site report

Hampshire County, WV

39.3026, -78.6497 · 1,217 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Hampshire County, WV, 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 rulesHampshire County, WV

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyHampshire County has no countywide zoning ordinance; the Planning Commission considered one but never adopted it. Incorporated towns like Romney may have their own zoning/permitting rules, so status varies by location within the county. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyCounty forms address manufactured/modular homes but no specific rule for tiny homes or RVs as permanent dwellings was found; call the Planning Office to confirm.

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedThe county has adopted minimum building code standards (2025 Ordinance PC 25-02) and requires a permit from the Floodplain Administrator/Planning Office for most new construction or manufactured home placement. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Hampshire County Health Department permits septic systems based on a percolation test and sanitarian evaluation, applying state design standards; composting toilets are not specifically addressed, so confirm directly with the health department.

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Hampshire County-specific greywater ordinance was found; it likely falls under the same state sewage design standards the health department applies to septic systems.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance restricting non-potable rainwater catchment was found; using rainwater as a primary potable supply may fall under the same well/water-supply permitting the health department applies to cisterns and springs.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWells require a certified driller and a permit under West Virginia's well-construction law, administered locally through the Hampshire County Health Department, which also offers water testing.

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedNo county ordinance requires hookup to public utilities; the building permit process only asks for a Public Service District letter if you plan to use public water or sewer, implying private well/septic is an accepted alternative.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.6 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.0 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,274 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 36 in/yr
Snowfall: 29 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,371 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 29 to Oct 13

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Hampshire Memorial Hospital: 3.4 mi
Fire station Augusta Volunteer Fire Company: 1.7 mi
Hardware store Wilson Supply: 22.1 mi
Grocery Food Lion: 3.4 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 26761).

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 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.