Off-grid site report
Mineral County, MT
47.1682, -114.8545 · 2,769 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Mineral County, MT, 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 rulesMineral County, MT
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyNo countywide zoning has been confirmed by Mineral County; the county administers subdivision regulations jointly with the towns of Alberton and Superior through its Environmental Health and Planning Department, but that is subdivision review, not zoning. Confirm parcel-specific status directly with the county. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Mineral County ordinance on tiny homes or RV occupancy was found; this likely defaults to Montana's state baseline (IRC Appendix Q, RVs treated as vehicles), but that is not county-confirmed.
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyMontana's Dept. of Labor & Industry runs a statewide Building Codes Program that counties may opt into; no confirmation was found that Mineral County has its own certified enforcement program, so the state program or the towns of Alberton/Superior may apply by default. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted through the Mineral County Environmental Health and Planning Department, with the county Board of Health acting on items like variance requests, under DEQ's statewide minimum standards for site evaluation. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Mineral County-specific greywater ordinance was found; this likely falls under the statewide administrative rule framework. Confirm with the county Environmental Health office.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Mineral County restriction on basic rooftop rainwater collection for personal, non-potable use was found; this follows the state default.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedMineral County does not appear to run its own well permitting program; private wells fall under Montana DNRC's statewide exempt-well framework.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Mineral County ordinance was found requiring or prohibiting grid connection for a private home; confirm any site-specific requirement with the Environmental Health and Planning Department.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.1 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 1.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,145 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 16 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,710 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- May 19 to Sep 23
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Mineral Community Hospital - 1.6 mi
- Fire station
Superior Fire Department - 2.4 mi
- Hardware store
Studs Building and Home - 19.9 mi
- Grocery
McGowan Grocery - 20.1 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 59872).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Mineral County, MT?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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.