Off-grid site report

Jefferson County, NY

44.1711, -75.9480 · 423 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Jefferson County, NY, 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 rulesJefferson County, NY

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyJefferson County has no countywide zoning code; each town, village, or the City of Watertown sets its own Zoning Law and appoints its own Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer. The county's Planning department only advises or reviews referrals. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rule on tiny homes or RVs as permanent dwellings was found; this is set by each town's zoning law and the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. Confirm with your town's zoning office. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedA building permit is required, covering things like mobile/modular units, wood stoves, electrical work, and septic installation. Depending on whether a town opted in or out of the Uniform Code, the permit comes from the town or from Jefferson County Code Enforcement. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedThe Jefferson County Department of Health requires an Onsite Sewage Disposal Permit, including soil evaluation by a hired professional and county inspection, before a building permit can issue. Composting toilets specifically are not addressed on the county's page, so ask JCDH directly. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Jefferson County-specific page on greywater reuse was found; this likely falls back to New York State's general (and not very homesteader-friendly) baseline. Confirm with the county Health Department.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance addressing rainwater harvesting was found; New York State generally permits it, but confirm there's no local restriction with your town.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells are allowed but must be installed by a DEC-registered well driller following NYS DOH Appendix 5-B standards, and local Code Enforcement Officers review well siting before issuing permits. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyThere's no countywide zoning requirement to connect to grid utilities; any such rule would come from your specific town or village zoning law, not the county.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.4 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.0 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,273 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 36 in/yr
Snowfall: 100 in/yr
Heating degree days: 7,582 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 12 to Sep 27

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital River Hospital: 11.6 mi
Fire station Theresa Fire Department: 8.7 mi
Hardware store Route 37 Building Supply: 10.1 mi
Grocery Price Chopper: 8.9 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 13656).

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.