Off-grid site report
Loudoun County, VA
39.0447, -77.4762 · 276 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Loudoun County, VA, 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 rulesLoudoun County, VA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyAll unincorporated Loudoun land is governed by the county Zoning Ordinance, with different standards by district (AR, TR, JLMA-20, etc.); the seven incorporated towns each have their own separate zoning code that overrides this. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedThe county's residential occupancy rules govern legal single-family dwellings; RVs, tiny homes, and camps are treated as distinct, separately regulated uses rather than standard housing, and Building and Development should be consulted before treating one as a permanent residence. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe Department of Building and Development issues building, grading, and zoning permits for unincorporated Loudoun County and inspects construction through final occupancy approval. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Loudoun County Health Department requires a Sewage Disposal Permit before installing or modifying a septic system, and county ordinance (Chapter 1067) also covers alternative onsite sewage systems. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Loudoun-specific greywater ordinance was found; this appears to fall back to the state VDH framework, so confirm any local rule directly with the county Health Department.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo official Loudoun County page addressing rainwater harvesting permits was found; check with Building and Development in case plumbing or backflow rules apply.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedA Sewage System Construction Permit Application (which covers wells) is required through the Health Department, and well drillers/pump installers must hold an annual county license. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance explicitly requires grid electric or public water/sewer hookup, but homes on well or septic still need Health Department permits and code-minimum plumbing fixtures for occupancy; solar-only setups are not explicitly addressed on an official page. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.4 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,359 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 43 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 21 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,001 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 21 to Oct 16
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
- none within range
- Fire station
Kincora Safety Center (Station 624/635) - 2.5 mi
- Hardware store
TW Perry - 6.4 mi
- Grocery
Harris Teeter - 1.1 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 20147).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Loudoun County, VA?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →Share or save this report:New report
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.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.