Off-grid site report

Washington County, MD

39.6359, -77.7156 · 541 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Washington County, MD, 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 rulesWashington County, MD

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyWashington County has its own comprehensive Zoning Ordinance covering unincorporated areas, with agricultural and rural districts generally most flexible for raw-land occupancy; incorporated towns like Hagerstown set their own separate zoning. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyModular dwellings need state approval before a county permit is issued, and a recent ADU ordinance suggests some flexibility for small secondary units, but permanent occupancy of a tiny home on wheels or RV as a primary residence is not confirmed on any county source.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe county's Division of Permits & Inspections enforces Maryland's statewide building code baseline plus local fire, life-safety, energy, and EV-charging requirements for new residential construction.
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe Washington County Health Department's Environmental Health division handles septic permitting and percolation testing under state delegation, and requires nitrogen-reducing systems in Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas; composting toilets as an alternative are not confirmed at the county level. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county greywater ordinance was found; the Health Department investigates wastewater discharge complaints, but reuse permitting isn't separately addressed and likely defaults to state rules.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Washington County ordinance restricting residential rainwater collection was found; this appears to be governed only by the state's general environmental framework.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe Washington County Health Department's Environmental Health division issues well permits, inspects new and replacement wells, and coordinates siting with septic placement under state delegation. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo dedicated county ordinance addresses full off-grid utility disconnection; county guidance implies well and septic are an accepted fallback where public water and sewer aren't available.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
4.6 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
2.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,323 kWh
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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
39 in/yr
Heating degree days
5,186 (moderate)
Frost-free season
Apr 12 to Oct 25

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Wellspan
11.2 mi
Fire station
Special Operations 20
0.4 mi
Hardware store
Lowe's
2.1 mi
Grocery
ALDI
0.3 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 21741).

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.