Off-grid site report
Traill County, ND
47.5437, -97.0761 · 929 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Traill County, ND, 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 rulesTraill County, ND
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyTraill County has no countywide zoning; land use outside its 12 cities is mostly governed at the township level. The county says it won't override township planning authority, so check with your specific township officer or the county Permits & Planning office. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county-level minimum dwelling size or tiny-home/RV ordinance was found; the county building permit page only distinguishes residential, commercial, and exempt farm structures. Township-specific rules may apply, so ask your township officer. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedBuilding permits are required outside city limits for residential and commercial structures (farm buildings/grain bins are exempt), and must be approved by your township officer. Inside city limits, contact that city's hall or auditor instead. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted through the Traill District Health Unit via an OSTS evaluation application, and property owners may self-install (digging it themselves) under state licensing law administered by ND DEQ. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Traill County or state-specific greywater ordinance was found; this is an unclear area, so contact the Traill District Health Unit directly for a determination.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Traill County rule restricts rainwater harvesting; it appears to follow the state's general permissive baseline. Confirm with the county building office if a large storage tank might need a permit.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedDomestic and stock wells generally fall under state water appropriation exemptions; the Traill County Water Resource District separately permits drainage and subsurface drain tile projects, which is a different matter from well drilling. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Traill County or township ordinance was found requiring grid utility connection, consistent with the state having no such general mandate, but individual townships could theoretically impose their own rule.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.5 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.4 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,308 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 22 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 9,036 (severe)
- Frost-free season
- May 6 to Sep 30
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Sanford Hillsboro Medical Center - 9.7 mi
- Fire station
Reynolds Fire & Rescue - 9.0 mi
- Hardware store
Olson Hardware - 9.7 mi
- Grocery
Dale's Food Pride - 9.8 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 58223).
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.