Off-grid site report
Clark County, WA
45.6295, -122.6680 · 102 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Clark County, WA, 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 rulesClark County, WA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyClark County Community Planning administers countywide zoning under Title 40. Rural zones (Rural 5/10/20) allow rural residential living with small-scale farming, while resource zones (AG-20, FR-40) carry large minimum lot sizes and stricter land-division rules. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyTiny houses on foundations generally follow the state building code baseline. A restriction on detached ADUs in rural zones (attached-only, with hardship exceptions) was referenced in secondary sources but could not be confirmed on an official Clark County code page. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedClark County requires building plans to conform to the IRC with Washington state amendments, plus stormwater and land-use compliance; the residential permit packet requires plot plans showing septic infrastructure. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedClark County Public Health regulates on-site septic under county code 24.17, requiring an approved functioning system for any property not on municipal sewer, with certified installers/servicers and a pre-permit evaluation process. source
Greywater reuse
Varies locallyGreywater reuse for subsurface irrigation is permitted under the state's WAC 246-274, administered by local health jurisdictions, but Clark County's specific implementation details were not confirmed in official sources; ask Public Health directly. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedWashington Department of Ecology does not require a water right permit for collecting rainwater from existing structures for on-site non-potable use; using it as a primary drinking water source for new construction needs county approval, not confirmed specifically for Clark County. source
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyWells fall under the state's exempt-well provisions, and Clark County requires a Water Availability Verification (WAVE) tied to septic release applications for new dwellings, though the specific county ordinance citation was not confirmed. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo standalone Clark County rule prohibits full utility disconnection, but in practice a home must meet building code, septic (county code 24.17), and verified water supply requirements. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 3.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 1.5 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,091 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 39 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,347 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 27 to Nov 8
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
- none within range
- Fire station
Portland Fire & Rescue - 6.6 mi
- Hardware store
Odin's Strength Gym - 2.6 mi
- Grocery
Becerra's International Groceries - 1.7 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 98666).
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 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.