Off-grid site report

Yamhill County, OR

45.3415, -123.1873 · 213 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Yamhill County, OR, 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 rulesYamhill County, OR

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyYamhill County has countywide zoning with resource zones (EFU, Agriculture/Forestry, Forestry) and residential zones carrying very different minimum lot sizes, from 10 acres in AF-10 to 80 acres in F-80. Reducing resource-zone lot minimums requires state LCDC approval, not just county action. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedThe county's zoning definition of dwelling excludes travel trailers and similar units, so RVs aren't permanent legal dwellings; manufactured/mobile homes need a county placement permit and approved sanitation, and tiny homes on permanent foundations are treated as conventional dwellings needing a building permit.

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedYamhill County's Building Division issues permits under state code, but only after land use, septic/sanitation, and driveway approvals are completed; city compliance is separately required inside incorporated cities. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe county Sanitarian runs a two-step site evaluation and installation permit process under Oregon DEQ standards, with ATT systems allowed under added certification rules; note DEQ statewide septic rules change January 1, 2026. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Yamhill County-specific greywater ordinance or permit page was found; this likely falls under Oregon DEQ's statewide greywater program, so confirm with the county Sanitarian how local review applies. source

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rainwater harvesting ordinance was found among Yamhill's planning, building, or sanitation pages; this appears to default to the state baseline allowing rooftop catchment. source

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells are governed by the state, not the county: Oregon Water Resources Department sets well construction and water rights rules, and Oregon Health Authority runs the Domestic Well Safety Program for water quality guidance. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedNothing in the county's building permit sequencing explicitly requires a grid electric or municipal water hookup, only an approved wastewater disposal system, though manufactured home code language ties occupancy readiness to being connected to utilities. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.1 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 1.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,157 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 42 in/yr
Snowfall: 1 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,631 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 17 to Oct 29

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center: 20.3 mi
Fire station McMinnville Fire Department: 9.2 mi
Hardware store Harbor Freight Tools: 7.9 mi
Grocery Safeway: 7.9 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 97148).

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.